ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by trouble focusing, struggling to sit still, and impulsivity, which may affect a person’s overall ability to function at work or school. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects a person’s relationship with reading and decoding language.
In addition to overlap in characteristics, it is common for people with ADHD to also have dyslexia and vice versa. This article will explore why these conditions often occur together, how they are diagnosed and management strategies.
Do ADHD and Dyslexia Occur Together?
ADHD and dyslexia are different conditions that share some similar characteristics. Individually, they each affect an estimated 5% to 10% of the population. They can also occur together and tend to do so at a rate that is higher than chance. About 25% to 40% of people with ADHD also have dyslexia. The statistic is the same for people with dyslexia who also have ADHD.
Symptoms of Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability. In general, people with dyslexia have difficulties with:
Phonological processing (the manipulation of sounds)SpellingRapid response to visual-verbal cues
Symptoms of ADHD
ADHD typically manifests in two ways:
Inattentiveness: Difficulty with focus, organization, and other mental tasksHyperactivity and impulsivity: Restlessness and difficulty with impulse control
People with ADHD may have signs of inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity, or both.
Symptoms Found in Both ADHD and Dyslexia
People with ADHD and/or dyslexia are typically of average or above-average intelligence, though they may underachieve in settings such as school. People with either or both conditions can have difficulties with reading and writing.
People with ADHD may:
Skip over punctuationLeave off endingsLose their placeHave difficulty with organization and proofreading
People with dyslexia may:
Have major problems with accuracyMisread both large and small wordsHave significant problems with spelling, grammar, proofreading, and organization
People with ADHD and/or dyslexia may:
Have difficulty paying attention due to the fatigue from the effort it takes to read or writeHave trouble with reading comprehensionNot enjoy reading and avoid it
Dyslexia and ADHD in Adults
Both dyslexia and ADHD manifest differently in adults than in children.
Dyslexia is a life-long condition, and ADHD usually persists into adulthood as well.
Adults With ADHD
Adults with ADHD may:
Become easily distracted and have difficulty paying attention to people and tasks, or hyperfocus on a task or activity such as their phone or a TV show Be physically or mentally restless, fidget, or have many simultaneous thoughts Have trouble completing even “simple” tasks Overlook details and make errors in work (or have incomplete work) Have trouble remembering conversations and following directions Get bored easily and seek stimulation Forget things such as appointments, deadlines, and paying bills Procrastinate and have trouble starting and finishing projects Be messy or disorganized (house, car, desk, etc. ), and frequently misplace things such as keys, wallet, phone, etc. Underestimate how long it will take to complete a task and have trouble with punctuality Interrupt, blurt out thoughts, and other socially inappropriate behavior Have difficulty sitting in long meetings Have poor self-control and act recklessly and/or spontaneously Become easily frustrated, stressed out, and irritable Have a short temper and be sensitive to criticism
Adults With Dyslexia
Adults with dyslexia may:
Read at a slow pace and with great effort, including things like subtitlesAvoid reading for pleasure and reading aloudHave a lack of fluency in speaking, including the frequent use of “um’s” and imprecise language, general anxiety when speaking, tripping over parts of words, and struggling when put on the spotHave trouble remembering and pronouncing the names of people and places, and confusing names that sound alikeExperience extreme fatigue when readingHave difficulty with rote clerical tasksHave poorly organized written work and have difficulty expressing themselves in writing, even if they are very knowledgeable about the subjectHave difficulty with planning and writing things such as essays, letters, reports, etc. ,Have trouble taking or copying notesSpell poorlyHave trouble remembering things like a PIN or telephone numberHave difficulty meeting deadlines
Dyslexia and ADHD In Children
Both dyslexia and ADHD typically start in childhood and evolve over time.
Children With ADHD
Children with ADHD have similar symptoms to adults with ADHD but are more likely to exhibit hyperactivity and impulsiveness than adults, who typically present with inattentiveness.
Children with ADHD may:
Not pay close attention to details and make “careless” mistakes in schoolwork or during other activitiesHave difficulty paying attention, even during play, and be easily distracted by thoughts or external stimuliSeem to not be listening when spoken toHave trouble with follow-through, such as following instructions finishing schoolwork, completing chores, etc. , and may forget about themHave trouble with organization, both of their belongings and of their time and activitiesAvoid or dislike tasks such as schoolwork, homework, reading, and other activities that require sustained mental effortFrequently lose things they need, like school suppliesFidget, squirm, have trouble staying seated, run or climb excessively when it’s not appropriate, and other restless behaviorBe loud or talkative while playing or doing activitiesSeem to be constantly “on the go"Blurt out or interrupt, such as answering questions before they have been completely asked, interrupting people who are speaking, finishing other people’s sentences, intruding on others’ conversations or games, and having trouble waiting for their turn
Children With Dyslexia
Dyslexia symptoms and characteristics can change with age and experience. As children get older, they may find ways to manage or compensate for their difficulties with dyslexia, although the condition itself will persist and show in other ways.
Pre-schoolers with dyslexia may:
Have trouble learning common nursery rhymesHave trouble learning and remembering the names of letters in the alphabet and be unable to recognize letters in their nameMispronounce familiar words or use “baby talk”Have trouble recognizing rhyming patterns (hat, sat, cat, etc. )
Kindergartners and first-graders with dyslexia may:
Base reading on cues other than the words on the page, such as saying “puppy” when the written word is “dog” when the page includes a picture of a dogNot understand that words “come apart"Dislike reading, say that it is hard, or avoid reading as much as possibleBe unable to sound out simple wordsNot associate letters with sounds (such as the letter P with the “puh” sound)
Second-graders to high-schoolers with dyslexia may:
Be slow in learning reading skills and read slowly and awkwardlyHave difficulty sounding out unfamiliar wordsAppear not to have a strategy for reading new wordsDislike and avoid reading out loudPause, hesitate, use vague language, use a lot of “um’s” etc. while speakingMix up words that sound similar, such as saying “tornado” when they mean “volcano”Mispronounce long, unfamiliar, or complex wordsNeed extra time to respond to questions or finish testsHave trouble remembering things such as dates, names, telephone numbers, etc. Have extreme difficulty learning a new languageHave poor spelling and messy handwritingHave low self-esteem
Tips for Parents and Teachers
It’s important to remember that children with ADHD and/or dyslexia are intelligent and capable. They can often find ways to get by well enough, but to do this, they are usually working much harder than typical students. Providing support that eases the stress of the extra effort helps them show their strengths and abilities.
In the classroom, this often takes the form of accommodations, whether through formal means such as an individualized education program (IEP), or designed by the educator.
Some accommodations may include:
Extra time for reading or test-takingAllowing the use of technology such as computersRecording lectures to review again laterUsing audio recordings along with the printed text to listen to as they read
Parents/guardians can help by making sure their child is getting the treatment they need, such as medication for ADHD, reading specialists for dyslexia, therapy, or any other treatments suggested by their child’s healthcare and education professionals.
Each child with ADHD and/or dyslexia is an individual with different needs and strengths. Working as a team that includes educators, parents/guardians, and the child can help find strategies that work for each child.
Getting an Evaluation
Even when they occur together, ADHD and dyslexia are different conditions and are evaluated separately.
Where to Go
The first stop for an ADHD evaluation is usually a primary healthcare provider, who will ask questions, perform a physical exam, and may order tests to get an idea of overall health and rule out other possibilities for the symptoms.
From there, the healthcare provider may refer the person to a mental health professional for further evaluation.
Dyslexia is usually first noticed by educators. A diagnosis is typically made through evaluations administered by educational professionals such as:
Clinical psychologistsEducational psychologistsSchool counselorsSpecial education instructorsSchool administrators
Strategies for Managing ADHD and Dyslexia
ADHD and dyslexia have different treatment plans. For example, medication is often prescribed for ADHD, but not for dyslexia alone. To make sure treatment is optimal, both conditions should be addressed individually.
For people with both ADHD and dyslexia, strategies that address one or both conditions can help overall. For example, a 2016 study suggests that stimulant medication may help improve reading as well as ADHD symptoms in people who have both ADHD and dyslexia.
In addition to formal treatment, there are strategies that can help people with ADHD and dyslexia in different areas of their lives.
Reading Tasks
Work with a trained reading specialistAllow for extra time for reading and writing tasksEngage in (or provide children with) reading materials that are interestingTeach/learn note-taking skillsUse multisensory learningRead to children, and repeat the same books multiple timesCreate a relaxed environment for readingMake use of technologyUse a bookmark or ruler under the line you are readingUse active reading
Focus
Create a routine Manage and minimize distractions Break bigger tasks down into smaller, more manageable ones Speak clearly and precisely when speaking to or giving instructions to a person with ADHD and dyslexia Eat regularly, and consume a variety of healthy foods Get plenty of sleep and exercise Use organization strategies such as lists, calendars, and apps
Social Health
Engage in social skills training, which involves role-playingJoin support groups and programs
Mental Health
Address any co-morbid or coexisting conditions such as anxiety Participate in therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) Address the conditions by name
In the Workplace
Use the services of a tutor trained to teach skills specific to that job or roleInsist on reasonable accommodations as covered by The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (RA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)Take notes and/or record audio during tasks such as meetings and seminarsWork on keeping your workspace organizedGive yourself extra time when leaving for work, interviews, appointments, meetings, etc. Designate 15 minutes at the end of the day to plan and organize for the next dayFinish one task before beginning anotherTake intermittent breaks and move aroundUse reminders such as sticky notes or alarmsColor-code files
Summary
ADHD and dyslexia are separate conditions that often occur together. While they have different characteristics, both can cause problems with reading and writing.
Both conditions begin in childhood and persist into adulthood.
Management for people who have both ADHD and dyslexia involves treating each separate condition, such as medication for ADHD and reading intervention for dyslexia. Some coping strategies help manage common problems between both conditions, such as reading comprehension.
A Word From Verywell
When a child is having difficulty reading, it may be hard to determine the cause. Among other possibilities, both ADHD and dyslexia can cause problems with reading and writing. ADHD and dyslexia also affect adults and can interfere with areas such as employment.
If you suspect you or your child has ADHD, dyslexia, or both, speak with a healthcare provider. Your child’s school can also assist you with determining and addressing learning disabilities such as dyslexia. With help, both of these conditions can be managed successfully.
