Is there a connection between ADHD and dyslexia?

thisisdyslexia
Jan 9
4 min read

The connection between ADHD and dyslexia explained

ADHD and dyslexia are two of the most commonly linked neurodivergent conditions.

Research consistently shows high rates of co-occurrence. Many individuals with dyslexia also show ADHD traits, and many people with ADHD have underlying dyslexic difficulties, even if one has been identified and the other missed.

This is not coincidence.

Both conditions involve differences in how the brain processes information, manages attention, and handles cognitive load.

Why ADHD and dyslexia overlap

ADHD and dyslexia are different conditions, but they affect overlapping brain systems.

Dyslexia primarily affects language processing, particularly phonological processing, reading fluency, spelling and written expression.

ADHD primarily affects executive functions such as attention regulation, working memory, organisation, planning and impulse control.

When these overlap, difficulties can compound.

For example:

Reading may be slow because of dyslexia and interrupted by poor sustained attention
Writing may be affected by spelling difficulties and difficulty organising thoughts
Tasks may feel overwhelming because decoding text already uses so much mental energy

The result is often exhaustion, frustration and self-doubt.

What ADHD and dyslexia look like together in children

Children with both ADHD and dyslexia often present in complex ways.

They may be bright, articulate and curious, yet struggle significantly with literacy tasks. Schools may notice behaviour or attention first and miss dyslexia, or focus on literacy difficulties while overlooking ADHD.

Common signs include:

Strong verbal ability but weak written work
Reading that is accurate but slow and tiring
Poor spelling combined with careless-looking errors
Difficulty sitting still for reading or writing tasks
Emotional dysregulation during homework
High levels of frustration or avoidance

Because effort is hidden, these children are often misunderstood as lazy, inattentive or not trying hard enough.

Signs of dyslexia in children https://www.thisisdyslexia.co.uk/support

What ADHD and dyslexia look like together in adults

In adults, the overlap often shows up as chronic overwhelm.

Many adults cope well enough to get through education, only to struggle later when demands increase.

They may describe:

Difficulty reading long documents or emails
Forgetting what they’ve just read
Struggling to start or finish tasks
Disorganisation despite strong ideas
Mental fatigue and burnout
A sense of always working harder than others

Adults are frequently diagnosed with one condition while the other remains unrecognised.

Understanding both can be a huge relief.

Why one condition is often missed

One reason ADHD and dyslexia are frequently missed together is masking.

Bright individuals often compensate well. ADHD traits may mask dyslexia because poor reading is attributed to inattention. Dyslexia may mask ADHD because slow output looks like disengagement.

In schools, systems often look for one clear explanation. Real brains are more complex than that.

This is why holistic assessment matters.

Why understanding the link matters

When ADHD and dyslexia are both present, support needs to address both.

Supporting reading without addressing attention may not work. Supporting attention without addressing literacy may leave core difficulties untouched.

Understanding the full picture allows for:

More effective support strategies
Reduced frustration and emotional distress
Better self-understanding
Appropriate adjustments at school, university or work
Improved confidence and wellbeing

Most importantly, it prevents people from blaming themselves.

Strengths often seen in people with ADHD and dyslexia

While challenges are real, many people with ADHD and dyslexia share powerful strengths.

These may include:

Creativity and original thinking
Strong verbal communication
Big-picture thinking
Problem-solving ability
Entrepreneurial thinking
Empathy and emotional insight

A strengths-based understanding helps individuals move away from deficit thinking and towards self-acceptance.

When to seek assessment or support

If you or your child show signs of both ADHD and dyslexia, it’s worth exploring this fully.

Assessment is not about collecting labels.

It’s about understanding how the brain works.

Clarity allows support to be tailored properly, rather than applying strategies that never quite fit.

ADHD and dyslexia are not failures of effort, intelligence or character.

They are differences in processing.

When both are understood, life often becomes calmer, more manageable and far less self-critical.

If you’ve spent years feeling like things shouldn’t be this hard, there may be a very real reason.

And understanding it changes everything.

written by Laura Gowers who is a specialist dyslexia assessor, coach and consultant and the founder of This Is Dyslexia. With over 23 years’ experience in education as a former teacher, SENCo and senior leader, she now supports children, parents and adults across the UK to understand dyslexia beyond labels.

Laura provides private dyslexia assessments, coaching and guidance for families and professionals, with a strong focus on confidence, wellbeing and practical clarity. She works with both children and adults who are often bright, articulate and capable, but quietly exhausted by the effort of reading, writing and keeping up.

Her work combines evidence-based assessment with real-world insight, helping people move from self-doubt to self-understanding. Laura is particularly passionate about dispelling myths around dyslexia and empowering individuals to advocate for the support they need at school, university and work.

Learn more about dyslexia assessments at https://www.thisisdyslexia.co.uk/dyslexia-assessments or follow Laura on Instagram @thisisdyslexiauk for honest insight, reassurance and practical support.