Dyslexia and ADHD are two distinct neurodevelopmental differences, yet they frequently occur together. Around 30–50% of children with dyslexia also meet the criteria for ADHD, creating a more complex learning profile. Dyslexia affects reading, spelling, and written expression, while ADHD impacts focus, working memory, impulse control, and executive functioning. When combined, these differences influence learning, behaviour, and emotional well-being in unique ways.
How Dyslexia and ADHD Overlap
Although the two conditions are separate, research shows they share some overlapping brain regions—particularly within the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functioning and information processing. This contributes to:
Difficulty sustaining attention during literacy tasks
Increased frustration and emotional overload
Challenges organising ideas for writing
Slower processing speed
Fatigue during reading or structured tasks
ADHD affects around 5% of children worldwide, and approximately 60% continue to experience symptoms in adulthood. In the UK, underdiagnosis remains a significant issue, meaning many children miss out on timely support.
Challenges and Strengths
Children with both dyslexia and ADHD often experience difficulties in:
Reading accuracy and fluency
Writing, spelling, and structuring ideas
Sustaining attention during learning
Organisation, planning, and time management
However, these children regularly demonstrate remarkable strengths, including:
Creativity and imagination
Visual-spatial problem solving
Big-picture thinking
Curiosity and divergent thinking
Strengths in hands-on, practical tasks
Recognising both the challenges and strengths helps shape more effective support at home and in school.
Signs of ADHD and ADD
Because ADHD often presents differently in boys and girls, symptoms can be overlooked—especially when they are not hyperactive.
Common Signs of ADHD in Boys
Impulsivity and difficulty with self-control
Hyperactivity or constant movement
Difficulty focusing or being easily distracted
Excessive talking or interrupting
Physical restlessness or aggression
Being “on the go” all the time
Common Signs of ADD (Primarily Inattentive ADHD) in Girls
Withdrawal or appearing quiet
Low self-esteem or anxiety
Daydreaming or appearing not to listen
Forgetfulness and organisation difficulties
Emotional sensitivity and outbursts
Struggles with schoolwork or assignments
Verbal aggression such as teasing or name-calling
Girls’ symptoms are often missed because they are less disruptive and more internalised.
The Diagnostic Journey
A diagnosis helps separate the child from their symptoms. It allows parents, teachers, and the child themselves to understand that difficulties are neurological, not behavioural.
In the UK, a formal ADHD or dyslexia diagnosis can unlock:
School adjustments and tailored intervention
Exam access arrangements
SEND support and targeted teaching
Workplace support later in life via Access to Work
Early assessment helps prevent unnecessary frustration, anxiety, or low confidence.
Strategies for Supporting a Child with Dyslexia and ADHD
Parents can significantly reduce stress and improve learning outcomes with the right structures in place.
1. Seek a Specialist Assessor
A formal assessment for dyslexia or ADHD provides clarity, guiding the right educational support and interventions.
2. Advocate for Your Child
Work with the school’s SENDCo to ensure needs are recognised and met. For dyslexia, consider requesting reasonable adjustments such as extra time, coloured overlays, or structured literacy support.
3. Focus on Strengths
Celebrate interests such as art, music, storytelling, building, or technology. Strengths are often the child’s gateway to confidence.
4. Establish Predictable Routines
Clear routines help reduce overwhelm and support executive functioning.
5. Use Assistive Technology
Tools such as speech-to-text, audiobooks, and reading support apps can remove barriers to learning.
6. Teach Self-Advocacy
Help your child understand their learning differences so they can communicate their needs in school and at home.
7. Build a Support Network
Connect with other parents and local or online ADHD/dyslexia communities for shared advice and encouragement.
8. Educate the Family
Help siblings and family members understand both the challenges and the strengths associated with neurodiversity.
9. Explore Therapy
CBT and other therapeutic approaches can support emotional regulation, anxiety, and self-esteem.
10. Strengthen Executive Functions
Break tasks into steps, use visual schedules, and support planning and organisation through structured routines.
11. Use Multisensory Learning
Multisensory techniques make learning more engaging and accessible for dyslexic children.
The Role of Schools and Educators
Teachers play a crucial role in supporting children with dyslexia and ADHD. Schools should:
Be aware of how the two conditions interact
Use differentiated instruction
Offer reasonable adjustments in line with the SEND Code of Practice
Provide targeted literacy intervention where needed
Support emotional well-being, not just academic needs
Ongoing teacher training is essential for recognising signs early and supporting learning effectively.
Supporting Mental Health
Children with dyslexia and ADHD are at a higher risk of:
Anxiety
Depression
Low self-esteem
School avoidance
Emotional dysregulation
A supportive environment, clear routines, and celebrating strengths all contribute to healthier emotional development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between dyslexia and ADHD?
Dyslexia primarily affects reading, spelling, and writing. ADHD affects attention, impulse control, and executive functioning. A child can have one or both. When both conditions are present, learning and organisation can become more challenging without targeted support.
How common is ADHD, and does it continue into adulthood?
Around 5% of children worldwide have ADHD, and 60% continue experiencing symptoms as adults. In the UK, ADHD is historically underdiagnosed, meaning many families miss out on early support.
Do ADHD symptoms differ between boys and girls?
Yes. Boys tend to show more hyperactive and impulsive behaviours, while girls often display inattentive traits such as daydreaming, withdrawal, and anxiety. This means girls’ symptoms can be overlooked.
Why is diagnosis important?
A diagnosis gives clarity and explains behaviours that might otherwise be misunderstood. It helps parents, teachers, and the child access the right support, including school adjustments and future workplace accommodations.
How can parents support a child with both dyslexia and ADHD?
Seek assessment, work closely with school, use assistive technology, build routines, break tasks into manageable chunks, and support mental health. Celebrate strengths and encourage your child to understand their learning profile.
Understanding the crossover between dyslexia and ADHD helps parents make informed decisions and advocate effectively. With the right support, children with both conditions can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the Overlap of Dyslexia and ADHD
Dyslexia and ADHD are two distinct neurodevelopmental differences, yet they frequently occur together. Around 30–50% of children with dyslexia also meet the criteria for ADHD, creating a more complex learning profile. Dyslexia affects reading, spelling, and written expression, while ADHD impacts focus, working memory, impulse control, and executive functioning. When combined, these differences influence learning, behaviour, and emotional well-being in unique ways.
How Dyslexia and ADHD Overlap
Although the two conditions are separate, research shows they share some overlapping brain regions—particularly within the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functioning and information processing. This contributes to:
ADHD affects around 5% of children worldwide, and approximately 60% continue to experience symptoms in adulthood. In the UK, underdiagnosis remains a significant issue, meaning many children miss out on timely support.
Challenges and Strengths
Children with both dyslexia and ADHD often experience difficulties in:
However, these children regularly demonstrate remarkable strengths, including:
Recognising both the challenges and strengths helps shape more effective support at home and in school.
Signs of ADHD and ADD
Because ADHD often presents differently in boys and girls, symptoms can be overlooked—especially when they are not hyperactive.
Common Signs of ADHD in Boys
Common Signs of ADD (Primarily Inattentive ADHD) in Girls
Girls’ symptoms are often missed because they are less disruptive and more internalised.
The Diagnostic Journey
A diagnosis helps separate the child from their symptoms. It allows parents, teachers, and the child themselves to understand that difficulties are neurological, not behavioural.
In the UK, a formal ADHD or dyslexia diagnosis can unlock:
Early assessment helps prevent unnecessary frustration, anxiety, or low confidence.
Strategies for Supporting a Child with Dyslexia and ADHD
Parents can significantly reduce stress and improve learning outcomes with the right structures in place.
1. Seek a Specialist Assessor
A formal assessment for dyslexia or ADHD provides clarity, guiding the right educational support and interventions.
2. Advocate for Your Child
Work with the school’s SENDCo to ensure needs are recognised and met. For dyslexia, consider requesting reasonable adjustments such as extra time, coloured overlays, or structured literacy support.
3. Focus on Strengths
Celebrate interests such as art, music, storytelling, building, or technology. Strengths are often the child’s gateway to confidence.
4. Establish Predictable Routines
Clear routines help reduce overwhelm and support executive functioning.
5. Use Assistive Technology
Tools such as speech-to-text, audiobooks, and reading support apps can remove barriers to learning.
6. Teach Self-Advocacy
Help your child understand their learning differences so they can communicate their needs in school and at home.
7. Build a Support Network
Connect with other parents and local or online ADHD/dyslexia communities for shared advice and encouragement.
8. Educate the Family
Help siblings and family members understand both the challenges and the strengths associated with neurodiversity.
9. Explore Therapy
CBT and other therapeutic approaches can support emotional regulation, anxiety, and self-esteem.
10. Strengthen Executive Functions
Break tasks into steps, use visual schedules, and support planning and organisation through structured routines.
11. Use Multisensory Learning
Multisensory techniques make learning more engaging and accessible for dyslexic children.
The Role of Schools and Educators
Teachers play a crucial role in supporting children with dyslexia and ADHD. Schools should:
Ongoing teacher training is essential for recognising signs early and supporting learning effectively.
Supporting Mental Health
Children with dyslexia and ADHD are at a higher risk of:
A supportive environment, clear routines, and celebrating strengths all contribute to healthier emotional development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between dyslexia and ADHD?
Dyslexia primarily affects reading, spelling, and writing. ADHD affects attention, impulse control, and executive functioning. A child can have one or both. When both conditions are present, learning and organisation can become more challenging without targeted support.
How common is ADHD, and does it continue into adulthood?
Around 5% of children worldwide have ADHD, and 60% continue experiencing symptoms as adults. In the UK, ADHD is historically underdiagnosed, meaning many families miss out on early support.
Do ADHD symptoms differ between boys and girls?
Yes. Boys tend to show more hyperactive and impulsive behaviours, while girls often display inattentive traits such as daydreaming, withdrawal, and anxiety. This means girls’ symptoms can be overlooked.
Why is diagnosis important?
A diagnosis gives clarity and explains behaviours that might otherwise be misunderstood. It helps parents, teachers, and the child access the right support, including school adjustments and future workplace accommodations.
How can parents support a child with both dyslexia and ADHD?
Seek assessment, work closely with school, use assistive technology, build routines, break tasks into manageable chunks, and support mental health. Celebrate strengths and encourage your child to understand their learning profile.
Understanding the crossover between dyslexia and ADHD helps parents make informed decisions and advocate effectively. With the right support, children with both conditions can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Contact us to discuss a remote assessment via Zoom:
https://www.dyslexiauk.co.uk/contact-us/
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