Today’s Living on the Spectrum features updates on human-centered research funding, the nuances of identifying co-occurring ADHD and autism, and practical pathways for adults seeking formal evaluations.
Funding for animal research alternatives reaches ‘inflection point’
Research Trends
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the European Union are increasing investments in Novel Alternative Methods (NAMs) to reduce reliance on animal testing. The NIH recently allocated $150 million to the Complement Animal Research in Experimentation program, while the EU launched the VISI-ON-BRAIN initiative to train researchers in human-based models.
Technological Tools
Scientists use brain organoids—3D cultures of human cells—and computational modeling to simulate organ structures and functions. These tools allow for the study of human-specific neurological processes, including learning and memory, which are difficult to replicate in animal models.
Implementation Limits
While these technologies offer new ways to study human brain function, they are not yet fully validated. Most researchers use NAMs alongside animal models rather than as a total replacement, treating them as complementary tools for fundamental neuroscience.
AuDHD: ADHD and Adult Autism Symptoms, Diagnosis & Interventions for Both
Diagnostic Differences
Clinicians distinguish between ADHD and autism by observing behaviors in social versus non-social environments. A lack of eye contact might stem from inattention in ADHD, but in autism, it often points to differences in social-emotional reciprocity. Standardized tools like the ADOS-2 help identify these distinctions.
Functional Impairments
Research published via ADDitude indicates that adults living with both conditions—often called AuDHD—experience greater functional difficulties than those with a single diagnosis. The combination affects daily organization and social interactions more significantly.
Intervention Strategies
Effective support includes non-pharmacological approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and executive function training. For those using medication, practitioners recommend a "start low, go slow" method with stimulants because autistic individuals often have higher sensitivity to side effects and may find it harder to describe their physical reactions.
ADHD, Autism, and Neurodivergence Are Coming Into Focus
The Neurodiversity Paradigm
The field is moving toward a paradigm that views brain differences as natural variations rather than defects. This shift encourages the use of identity-first language, such as "autistic person," and prioritizes lived experience over strictly clinical observations.
Barriers for Women and Girls
Girls and gender-diverse individuals are frequently missed in research and clinical settings. Many use masking to hide their traits and fit social expectations, which often leads to misdiagnosis or internalizing symptoms like anxiety and depression.
Community Resources
Social media has become a primary resource for community building and health equity. While it carries some risks of misinformation, it provides essential support for individuals who cannot access formal diagnostic services.
Q: How Can I Get Evaluated for Autism as an Adult?
Professional Selection
Adults seeking evaluation should look for psychologists or psychiatrists specializing in neurodevelopmental conditions. Psychologists often have more specific clinical training in conditions that begin in early childhood. Referrals are available through primary care doctors, insurance directories, and university autism centers.
Evaluation Components
A comprehensive assessment includes a clinical interview and a developmental history. Clinicians use research-supported tools like the ADI-R, which involves interviewing a parent or sibling about early childhood, and the ADOS-2 to observe current social communication patterns.
The Truth About Autism in Adults
Identifying Overlapping Behaviors
ADHD and autism share several traits, such as sensory processing differences and difficulties with organization. These similarities often lead to children being diagnosed with ADHD first, particularly those who do not have significant language delays.
Realistic Boundaries
Differentiating between these conditions is necessary for obtaining the correct workplace or educational supports. Families must focus on identifying social challenges and persistent anxiety that may coexist with ADHD but require different management strategies.
Podcast Transcript
Aaron: Hello everyone, welcome to the podcast. I am Aaron.
Jamie: And I am Jamie.
Aaron: We have quite a bit to go through today. We’ve been looking at a range of updates in the world of neurodevelopment—everything from high-level lab research to the very personal process of getting a diagnosis as an adult. It feels like the conversation around Autism and ADHD is moving faster than ever.
Jamie: It really is. There is this interesting tension right now between the traditional ways we’ve understood these conditions and some very modern, high-tech approaches to studying the brain. It’s a lot for families and individuals to keep up with.
Aaron: Actually, let’s start with the tech side. I was reading about these "mini-brains" or organoids being grown in labs. It sounds like science fiction, but apparently, there’s a big shift in how research is being funded in the US and Europe?
Jamie: You’re referring to Novel Alternative Methods, or NAMs. The NIH recently put up 150 million dollars for this, and the EU is doing something similar. Essentially, instead of relying solely on animal models, like mice, researchers are using 3D cultures of human cells and computational modeling to study neurological diseases.
Aaron: From a parent’s perspective, that sounds like it could lead to more accurate answers since they’re using human cells. But is this actually ready to replace traditional research?
Jamie: That’s the big debate. Some scientists are very excited because it might help us understand higher-order processes like how we learn or remember things. But others are being much more cautious. They’re saying these models haven't been fully "validated" yet. Most experts I’m following suggest that these should work in parallel with animal studies for now, rather than replacing them entirely. It’s a complementary tool, not a total substitute.
Aaron: It’s a good reminder that science takes time to catch up to the hype. But speaking of things catching up, I’ve been seeing the term "AuDHD" everywhere lately. It seems like more and more people are identifying with both Autism and ADHD at the same time.
Jamie: It’s a significant shift. For a long time—specifically before 2013—the clinical rules actually prevented doctors from diagnosing both in the same person. Now we know there’s a huge overlap. They often share things like executive dysfunction, where planning and organizing feel nearly impossible, or sensory processing differences.
Aaron: I think that’s where a lot of parents get stuck. They see their child "not listening" and wonder: is this an ADHD focus issue, or is it an Autism social communication thing?
Jamie: It’s subtle. Clinicians look at the context. For example, a child might avoid eye contact. In ADHD, that might just be because they’re distracted by something more interesting in the room. In Autism, it might be more about a struggle with social-emotional reciprocity. When someone has both, which we often call AuDHD, the functional challenges can be more complex than having just one or the other.
Aaron: And that must change how we approach support or even medication, right?
Jamie: Exactly. For medication, experts often suggest a "start low, go slow" approach. People with this profile can be more sensitive to medications, and they might find it harder to describe the side effects they’re feeling. It’s why having a professional who understands the nuance of both is so important.
Aaron: That leads me to something I’ve been thinking about—if you missed out on a diagnosis as a kid, finding that professional as an adult feels like a whole different mountain to climb. I’ve heard many people don't even know where to start. Is it a GP? A specialist?
Jamie: For adults, it’s usually best to find a psychologist or psychiatrist who specifically specializes in neurodevelopment. Psychologists often have more of that specific clinical training for these types of assessments. They use tools like the ADOS-2, which is a standardized way of observing social interaction, and they’ll often want to talk to a parent or sibling to get that early childhood history.
Aaron: That’s the part that surprises people—that even at 30 or 40 years old, the doctor wants to know what you were like at age five.
Jamie: Because these are developmental differences, that history is a vital piece of the puzzle. It helps distinguish autism from other things that can look like it later in life, like anxiety or certain personality traits. It’s about looking at the whole lifespan, not just who you are today.
Aaron: It seems like a lot of this "missing" of diagnoses, especially in the past, happened with women and girls. We’re finally starting to talk about "masking," where people basically perform as neurotypical to fit in, often at a huge internal cost.
Jamie: Masking is a heavy burden. It’s one reason why many women are misdiagnosed with just anxiety or depression. The move toward a "neurodiversity paradigm" is trying to change that. It’s a shift away from seeing these as "disorders" to be fixed and toward seeing them as natural variations in how brains are wired. This is also why you’ll hear more people using identity-first language, saying "I am autistic" rather than "I have autism."
Aaron: It’s interesting how social media has played a role here. I know there’s a lot of misinformation out there, which can be scary, but for many who can’t afford a 3,000-dollar private assessment, those online communities are the first place they feel understood.
Jamie: It’s a double-edged sword. Social media has been vital for community building and health equity, especially for those marginalized by the traditional medical system. But as we always say, it shouldn't replace a professional evaluation when that’s accessible. The goal is to get the right support, whether that’s workplace accommodations or just a better understanding of why your brain works the way it does.
Aaron: I think that’s a good place to pause. Whether it’s through new lab technology or just better conversations in our communities, it feels like we’re slowly getting better at seeing the full picture of how different our brains can be.
Jamie: It’s a journey of moving from labels to understanding individuals.
Aaron: If you’re interested in the specific research papers or the diagnostic tools we mentioned today, you can find the summaries and original links on our episode page. Thanks for listening, and we’ll talk to you next time.
Jamie: Goodbye, everyone.