ADHD And Reading: Challenges And Helpful Tips | Psych Central

Maybe your like

Psych CentralSubscribe

ADHD

How ADHD May Affect Reading

Medically reviewed by Marc S. Lener, MD — Written by Morgan Mandriota on September 2, 2021

Impact of ADHD on reading
How to address concerns
Tips to build reading skills
Next steps

Children and students with ADHD may have difficulties with reading-related challenges, but help is available.

Stack of books — Sky-Blue Creative/Stocksy United

Many people enjoy cuddling up on the couch with a book as a way to wind down. But people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), especially children, might find reading much more frustrating than relaxing.

This is because those with ADHD tend to experience reading problems.

Why people with ADHD may have a hard time reading

ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts children and adults differently, but many people report reading difficulties with ADHD.

So how does ADHD affect reading comprehension? It can be challenging for many reasons, including difficulty with:

focusing
memory and retention
processing information
sitting still
managing time
managing distractions (e.g., distracting thoughts or stimuli in the environment)

“Given difficulties with sustained attention, reading can be particularly difficult as kids often report rereading passages over and over again given lack of focus and being easily distracted,” says Angelique Snyder, Psy.D., a pediatric psychologist at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.

“Their inability to focus and concentrate may make it harder for them to visually track information and retain what they just read, so both their reading speed and comprehension can suffer,” adds Dr. Judy Ho, board certified clinical neuropsychologist and a psychology professor at Pepperdine University.

A 2019 study suggests that reading disabilities and ADHD typically co-occur. Snyder notes that kids with ADHD also tend to have comorbid learning disorders, which can affect reading.

What to do if you’re concerned

Reading difficulties can be challenging. Here’s how you can address your concerns.

For parents of children with ADHD

Snyder recommends first ruling out a reading or learning disability. She says parents can request this testing through their schools.

“If [one] is present, schools should provide additional support to kids to help with reading (e.g., small group instruction, material read aloud to them, etc.),” Snyder says.

“Make sure to communicate with teachers regularly, and ask for some additional support in the classroom from aides or the teacher to help the student engage in learning activities,” adds Ho.

Another 2019 study indicates that ADHD is associated with poor school performance, including lower grades and test scores. Early intervention and accommodations can help children perform better inside and outside of the classroom.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a list of resources that may assist children and students with ADHD in school.

If you feel your child may be experiencing reading problems, Jocelyn Patterson, MPS, a licensed medical health professional, encourages you to ask questions.

“Ask your child about their experience. It will be so much easier to find a solution if you have a clear vision of what the problem is,” she says.

She also recommends asking other parents if they’ve experienced something similar. “While asking a professional is encouraged, sometimes people who have been there can find the most creative and impactful solutions.”

A pediatrician or child psychologist may also be able to evaluate and diagnose your child with ADHD and offer further support.

For adults and students with ADHD

Therapy can also help you better learn how your brain works and offer helpful coping strategies for reading with ADHD, especially when it becomes frustrating.

“Seeking the support of a [psychologist] to evaluate specific concerns can help outline a comprehensive intervention plan and assist in seeking accommodations from high schools, universities, and placement exams boards to ensure success,” says Ho.

“For older students and adults, it’ll be important to continue to challenge yourself and build reading skills by learning and adopting strategies to help with reading speed and comprehension,” she adds.

Reading comprehension strategies for ADHD

Children, students, and adults with ADHD may improve their reading skills with the following tips.

Take breaks

Beat time management and focus challenges by taking breaks during reading sessions.

“To maximize stimulation, kids benefit from short intensive periods of instruction broken up by frequent breaks, especially ones that incorporate movement,” says Snyder.

Ho recommends using the Pomodoro Technique. Using an alarm, read for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break, then repeat. Take a longer break after four times, then re-engage with the material.

“This will help focus and concentration in short spurts, and you will be more efficient and get more accomplished,” she says.

Break up lengthy chapters or organize tasks into smaller ones, too. Ho explains that doing this can better work the information into your memory and make it easier to recall.

Consider active reading

You can practice active reading in many ways, including:

using pens or highlighters to annotate or track words while reading
reading out loud
writing notes in the margins or on a separate piece of paper
picking interesting books and content to read
quizzing yourself on sections before moving on (only if this task isn’t stressful)
drawing pictures of what you just read to better understand concepts

Reduce distractions

Because of distractibility issues with ADHD, helping children practice reading in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming is key to reducing frustration, Ho says.

Snyder recommends reading or having your kids read in a space that limits distractions. This may help them to stay focused and better absorb reading material.

Communicate about challenges

Prioritize honest and open communication about any potential reading challenges. By talking about your experiences, you can receive help and the necessary accommodations to succeed in school.

Ho recommends that parents chat with their kids about reading. “Talk to them about where they struggle and discuss remedies and ways to help them conquer the areas they have difficulty in.”

Get creative

“The symptoms related to hyperactivity can make it tough to sit still, but no one ever said that you had to read while sitting down,” Patterson says. If you can, consider walking, pacing, or standing (in a safe place) while reading instead.

A wandering mind and loss of interest in the material are more likely to occur when the content is boring, too.

“Kids with ADHD avoid tasks that require sustained mental effort, so making reading fun will provide positive experiences to combat the often negative ones they experience,” says Snyder.

Especially for younger children, Ho recommends a reward system as they work on specific reading skills and accomplish milestones.

“Trial and error can be time-consuming, but not all solutions work the same way for everyone,” Patterson adds. Get creative with different strategies until you find something that helps.

Next steps

Reading can be difficult and frustrating for children with ADHD. This is due to issues of focusing, managing distractions, and processing and retaining information.

If the condition isn’t managed during childhood, reading challenges may continue into high school, college, and adulthood.

Parents can help their kids improve reading skills with open communication and the help of a pediatrician or psychologist. Students and adults may find relief in talking with a therapist and practicing reading comprehension skills.

Some strategies that may improve reading skills in children and people with ADHD include:

reducing distractions
taking breaks
getting creative
making it more fun

ADHD may pose unique challenges when reading, but relief is possible and help is available. Consider seeing a mental health professional to figure out a treatment plan that works best for you or your child and learn how to improve the overall reading experience.

5 sourcescollapsed

Ho J. (2021). Personal interview.
Jangmo A, et al. (2019). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, school performance, and effect of medication.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6541488/
Langer N, et al. (2019). Comorbidity of reading disabilities and ADHD: Structural and functional brain characteristics.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6508987/
Patterson J. (2021). Personal interview.
Snyder A. (2021). Personal interview.

FEEDBACK:

Medically reviewed by Marc S. Lener, MD — Written by Morgan Mandriota on September 2, 2021

ADHD And Reading: Challenges And Helpful Tips | Psych Central

Featured

Articles

Wellness Topics

Original Series

News & Events

Podcasts

Conditions

Lifestyle

Treatment & Support

ADHD

Why people with ADHD may have a hard time reading

What to do if you’re concerned

For parents of children with ADHD

For adults and students with ADHD

Reading comprehension strategies for ADHD

Take breaks

Consider active reading

Reduce distractions

Communicate about challenges

Get creative

Next steps

Read this next

How To Read, Remember, And Focus When You Have ADHD

How To Read Books When You Have ADHD. - Untapped Brilliance

7 Reading Tips For People With ADD/ADHD - Book Riot

How To Read With ADHD Part 1: Setup - YouTube

Reading Help For ADHD Students: Memory Strategies - ADDitude

11 Every-Night Ways To Build Stronger Reading Skills - ADDitude

How To Read A Book (And Enjoy It) When You Have ADD Or ADHD

10 Tips To Focus On Reading With ADHD 2022 - Health Canal

Do You Have ADHD And Struggle With Reading? - Psychology Today

ADHD Reading Problems And What Causes Them

Reading Together: Tips For Parents Of Children With ADHD

Reading Comprehension And The College Student With ADHD - ADDA

How To Read With ADHD - Quora

Contact