(And Why So Many People Finally Make Sense When You See the Differences)

**By Angwithoutane- SciWoo Mind, Science Heart

Individuality is one of the most misunderstood parts of neurodiversity.

People assume “everyone is unique,” but how we express that uniqueness depends heavily on the wiring of the brain.

And here’s the kicker:

ADHD, Autism, and AUDHD all experience individuality differently; biologically, emotionally, and energetically.

This matters in palm reading (hello, finger lengths), in psychology, in relationships, and in understanding ourselves.

Let’s break down the three neurotypes in a way that blends science, human behaviour, and a touch of intuitive knowing.

Palmistry Patterns Backed by 2D:4D Science

After years of studying fingers and palms, I began noticing consistent neurotype “tells” long before I ever looked at the science, and then the 2D:4D research backed it. I’ve also worked out that our closest friends usually share the same or very similar or near-matching finger patterns, which explains why their energy feels so familiar. We’re also living in a world that offers far more support for Autism than ADHD, which means many people are misdiagnosed or pushed into the wrong category entirely. One of the easiest clues? Stimulant medication. An ADHD brain will either take a nap or start cleaning unprovoked, because that’s how a dopamine-deficient nervous system finally finds calm and clarity.

ADHD: Outward Individuality

Energetic expression + dopamine-driven identity.

ADHD brains have:

• higher novelty-seeking

• lower dopamine baseline

• a drive toward stimulation

• stronger emotional expressiveness

This is backed by research from the Journal of Neural Transmission, which shows dopamine dysregulation increases the desire for stimulation, change, and external expression.

What that looks like in real life:

• bold personality

• creative self-expression

• big reactions, big ideas

• humour, charisma, social energy

• changing style, identity fluidity

• expressive fashion, tattoos, colour choices

• “I want to be seen for my individuality”

ADHDers often feel their individuality on the outside, because that’s where the dopamine hits come from.

Expression = stimulation = energy.

Palmistry Parallel

ADHD traits often correlate with:

• Long index finger → identity-driven decision making

• Average to short ring finger → emotional responsiveness

• Active, expressive gestures

Autism: Inward Individuality

Internal identity + stability-driven self.

Autistic brains have:

• higher internal consistency

• stronger pattern-recognition

• heightened sensory processing

• reduced social reward circuitry

Studies from Nature Neuroscience show that autistic individuals have enhanced connectivity in regions responsible for internal focus and decreased reward response to social performance.

Translation?

Autistic people don’t perform individuality.

They live it internally.

They express identity through:

• routine

• consistency

• deep interests

• values

• moral integrity

• sensory preferences

• their own logic

This is not about standing out; it’s about being true.

Palmistry Parallel

Autistic traits often correlate with:

• Structured, stable hands (predictable patterns, consistency, routine)

• Earth/Water palm shapes (internal processing, sensory depth, emotional regulation challenges)

• Even finger lengths (pattern-driven, logical, system-based thinking)

• Stronger thumb (inner willpower, self-containment, internal control)

• Long Ring finger→ hyper-focus, intense interest zones, tunnel-vision concentration, visual/problem-solving thinking, and a natural pull toward deep-dive subjects or specialist skills)
  

AUDHD: The Hybrid; And the Clash

Now here’s where it gets juicy.

AUDHD = ADHD + Autism running at the same time.

And those two systems don’t always cooperate.

Research from the Autism Research Journal shows that co-occurrence creates a unique neuroprofile with overlapping but conflicting traits:

• internal intensity (Autism)

• external impulsivity (ADHD)

• high emotional sensitivity

• sensory-driven overwhelm

• inconsistent social performance

• extreme self-awareness

This produces what many AUDHD people describe as:

AUDHD individuality is BOTH:

✔ Internal identity → stable, deep, value-driven ✔ External expression → creative, impulsive, emotional ❌ But the bridge between them is shaky

This is why AUDHD often looks like:

• quirky but cautious

• expressive but private

• confident but anxious

• deep but scattered

• intense but avoidant

• humorous but sensitive

• outgoing but socially exhausted

It’s not inconsistency, it’s two neurotypes speaking different languages.

Palmistry Parallel

AUDHD often shows:

• Long Ring finger + Short Index finger→ intense focus zones, fast pattern-recognition, high reactivity, rapid thinking, and emotional/energetic “hits” that feel big and immediate.

• Mixed-element palms→ Fire + Water or Air + Earth combos (internal chaos + external brilliance / emotional depth + cognitive speed).

• Gaps between the fingers→ independence, sensory sensitivity, and needing space to regulate.

• Segment variations (especially uneven finger segments)→ dual-processing styles, switching between logic + intuition or social masking + authentic self.

Why So Many Men Are AUDHD

This is one of the most under-discussed truths:

Many men have ADHD socially and Autism internally.

Why?

• Boys were allowed to be “quirky” → autism masked

• ADHD was dismissed as “energetic”

• Deep interests were seen as “normal boy behaviour”

• Emotional sensitivity was shut down

• Masking was expected

• Diagnosis criteria were built around children, not adults

So we ended up with a whole generation of:

• tradies

• engineers

• gamers

• musicians

• problem-solvers

• emotionally intense but quiet men

…who were never correctly identified, and now finally get clarity as adults.

Gen X Women: Why So Many Are Getting Diagnosed Now

Gen X women grew up masking. They were raised to be quiet, helpful, organised, and “good,” so their ADHD showed up as overthinking, perfectionism, emotional overload, people-pleasing, or shutting down, not the hyperactive boy-version the diagnostic criteria was built around. Most were mislabelled as anxious, sensitive, hormonal, or “too much,” so their real traits were completely missed.

Medication is a revelation for many. It’s the first time in their entire life they can focus without drowning in self-blame or overwhelm. Women with a short Pinky finally get relief from the inner critical narrator. Women with a long Index suddenly notice their social anxiety eases because their brain stops monitoring everyone’s emotions at once. Like me, many realise their concentration issues were never “nerves”, they were untreated neurodivergence.

Gen X women aren’t suddenly becoming ADHD; they’re finally being seen. They’re discovering their brain was never broken; it was just running on hard mode without support.

So Is It Fair to Say…

✔ ADHD expresses individuality OUTWARDLY

through creativity, energy, expression, novelty, and movement.

✔ Autism expresses individuality INWARDLY

through values, routine, depth, and internal stability.

✔ AUDHD expresses individuality BOTH ways

but the two systems often collide, creating:

• complexity

• depth

• emotional intensity

• authenticity

• creativity

• vulnerability

• social friction

• brilliance

It is the most misunderstood neurotype; and the most powerful once understood.

Individuality Expression Chart: ADHD vs Autism vs AUDHD

Wrap-Up

The more we understand our neurotype, and how it shows up physically, emotionally, and even in our hands, the easier it becomes to finally make sense of ourselves. I’d love to hear from you: What’s your neurotype (diagnosed or suspected), and what’s your finger-length combo on your dominant hand? Does it match what you’re learning here? Your answers help us map the patterns, validate the experiences of others, and keep building this SciWoo evidence library together. - Ang x **Join my Finger Triad research project here