Sensory Sensitivities in Autism & ADHD

Plain-language summary

Understanding how sensory sensitivities show up in individuals with both autism and ADHD is still an area with some unknowns. Research suggests that while there are unique sensory experiences for each condition, there can also be a lot of overlap. It seems that sensory issues in autism might be present even when accounting for ADHD symptoms, but more research is needed to fully untangle these complex interactions.

Key findings

• Research points to distinct sensory "phenotypes" or patterns within autism spectrum disorder, meaning sensory experiences can vary a lot among individuals with autism.
• Studies show that even after considering ADHD symptoms, some sensory features are still specifically linked to autism.
• Food selectivity and eating difficulties are common in adults with autism and/or ADHD, highlighting a shared sensory challenge in this population.
• While there are some unique sensory profiles for autism and ADHD, there is also considerable overlap in how individuals experience and react to sensory input.
• The exact nature of how sensory sensitivities differ and overlap in individuals with both conditions is still being explored.

Studies cited (7)

1. The pediatric psychopharmacology of autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review - Part I: The past and the present — Persico AM, Ricciardello A, Lamberti M (2021, Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry, systematic-review)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110326

2. Autism Spectrum Disorder — Hodis B, Mughal S, Saadabadi A (2026, , other)

   Copyright © 2026, StatPearls Publishing LLC.

3. Food selectivity and eating difficulties in adults with autism and/or ADHD — Bayoumi SC, Halkett A, Miller M (2025, Autism : the international journal of research and practice, other)

   DOI: 10.1177/13623613251314223 PMCID: PMC12089672

4. Brief Report: Sensory Features Associated with Autism After Controlling for ADHD Symptoms — Masters EC, Antshel KM, Kates WR (2025, Journal of autism and developmental disorders, other)

   DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06046-y

5. Exploring sensory phenotypes in autism spectrum disorder — Scheerer NE, Curcin K, Stojanoski B (2021, Molecular autism, other)

   DOI: 10.1186/s13229-021-00471-5 PMCID: PMC8507349

6. Metabolic features of the cell danger response — Naviaux RK (2014, Mitochondrion, other)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2013.08.006

7. Sensory processing and classroom emotional, behavioral, and educational outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder — Ashburner J, Ziviani J, Rodger S (2008, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, other)

   DOI: 10.5014/ajot.62.5.564