ADHD Reading: Tips To Improve Reading Comprehension
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can present a variety of challenges to those living with it. One of these could be difficulties with reading comprehension as a result of common symptoms like inattention and distractibility. It's also estimated that as many as 45% of those with ADHD experience coexisting learning disabilities. As a result, some may face challenges in both academic and professional settings, and they have trouble enjoying reading for pleasure as well. Read on to understand the relationship between ADHD and reading comprehension and to get tips that people with ADHD can use to potentially improve their ability to take in what they read.
ADHD reading challenges that impact comprehension skills
Several common symptoms of the various presentations of ADHD may affect an individual's reading skills, including the following.
Inattention due to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Those who experience trouble with inattention due to ADHD may find reading difficult for several reasons. For example, they may find themselves at the bottom of a page after reading for several minutes but unable to remember any important details. This symptom could also make it harder to ignore any distractions, especially if the text is something the individual doesn’t personally find interesting.
Executive dysfunction and the brain
For instance, working memory allows people to temporarily store details while engaging in an activity. Those who experience trouble with working memory due to ADHD may be unable to hold on to or retrieve details this way. To fully comprehend and then apply the information they’ve learned, these individuals may need to revisit the information several times.
Impulsivity
Struggles with impulse control could make it difficult for individuals with ADHD to stay on task and avoid moving around or multitasking while reading. They may feel an impulsive need to engage in other activities, such as snacking or playing video games, which may pull them away from their reading. Those with the hyperactive or combined presentation of ADHD in particular may also find it difficult to sit still, which could further exacerbate troubles with consuming and comprehending what they intended to read.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reading tips to boost brain comprehension skills
It may not be possible to completely prevent common ADHD symptoms from impacting one’s reading skills, but there are some strategies that may enhance reading comprehension for individuals living with this condition.
Methods that may enhance reading skills
Here are a few methods that may help address ADHD reading-related challenges.
Try the Pomodoro technique
The Pomodoro technique is a time-management tool that involves dividing longer periods of focused work into manageable sections separated by short breaks. Research suggests that predetermined, systematic breaks like those used in the Pomodoro technique may provide benefits related to both mood and efficiency in comparison to self-regulated breaks.
Pomodoro reader technique steps
The original Pomodoro technique involves the following steps:
- Choose the task you intend to focus on.
- Set your timer for 25 minutes (or the amount of your choosing).
- Work on your chosen task until the timer goes off.
- Take a short break (five to 10 minutes is typically suggested).
- After you complete your break, reset your timer and repeat steps three and four.
In the original technique, an individual completes four sets of these steps before taking a longer break (20 to 30 minutes). They then repeat this process until they’ve completed their chosen task. By using the Pomodoro technique for reading sessions, individuals experiencing ADHD may be able to increase their ability to focus and better absorb the information they’re taking in as a result.
Consider listening to audiobooks
Listening to an audiobook instead of reading a physical text could provide certain benefits for those with ADHD. Plus, contrary to popular belief, research suggests that reading comprehension is unlikely to be affected by not having a physical text to look at. In one study, 91 participants were assigned the same book and separated into three groups. One was instructed to listen to the audiobook, another instructed to read the physical book, and a third to read and listen simultaneously. The findings indicate that there were no statistically significant differences in comprehension or retention between the three groups.
In addition, audiobooks may provide individuals with ADHD a more stimulating alternative to traditional reading. For instance, taking a walk in one’s own neighborhood or a familiar park while listening could increase stimulation in a helpful way, potentially satisfying the need for movement that some living with ADHD experience and increasing the production of dopamine at the same time.
Take notes while you read
Actively engaging with the material through the process of note-taking could also help with reading comprehension. Consider research that suggests that note-taking may improve both attention and comprehension of written material. Note-taking can also add an element of structure and stimulation to reading that may help individuals with ADHD stay on task and focused.
Having a notes sheet neatly organized into different sections could allow a person to mark down key details that may help them understand the meaning of the material. In addition, the physical act of writing may be stimulating in and of itself, which could make it easier for an individual with ADHD to avoid inattentiveness or distraction.
Get ADHD reading support from a therapist
Whether they’re related to reading comprehension or other areas, addressing ADHD symptoms can help improve an individual’s daily functioning, work or academic performance, and mental health. One commonly recommended way to begin the journey of learning to manage symptoms of ADHD is to engage in therapy.
Qualified therapist can help
A qualified therapist may be able to help an individual experiencing ADHD in a number of ways, including:
- Sharing tips that may help improve their ability to pay attention to specific tasks
- Discussing and addressing challenges that may be affecting their daily functioning or emotional well-being
- Helping them build skills, such as mindfulness and cognitive reframing, that could help them cope with emotional ADHD symptoms
Challenges with in-person therapy
However, it may not be possible for every individual with ADHD to engage with an in-person therapist. For example, too few providers in a given area may result in a lack of available care or long waitlists.
Benefits of online therapy for ADHD
Some people with ADHD may also find office environments distracting or overwhelming, instead preferring to engage with a licensed therapist from the comfort of their own home, as is possible with online therapy.
Online vs. in-person therapy effectiveness
Research suggests that online therapy can generally offer similar efficacy to traditional in-person therapy. For example, one systematic review of twelve randomized, controlled trials with a total of 931 participants focused on the difference in therapeutic outcomes between those receiving therapy online and those receiving it face-to-face. Researchers found no significant differences between the two treatment types in a number of areas, including symptom severity, overall improvement, function, working alliance, and client satisfaction, indicating that online therapy may be a valuable alternative to in-person care.
Takeaway
Does ADHD affect your reading?
Yes. Attention deficit disorder can affect a person’s ability to understand what they’re reading due to symptoms like inattentiveness and poor working memory. People with ADHD tend to lose interest quickly and be easily distracted when reading, which can make it a potentially time consuming and frustrating process.
What skills help ADHD?
There are many different strategies and skills that can help children and adults with ADHD. Examples include mindfulness, time management, organization, and task management.
What are the reading traits of ADHD?
Everyone is different, but people with ADHD tend to have certain habits when they read, including the tendency to skip words, re-read paragraphs, and struggle to maintain sustained attention during reading.
What are the habits of ADHD?
Some general habits or tendencies with ADHD include struggling to stay focused, impulsivity, forgetfulness, carelessness, and hyperactivity. Not everyone with ADHD exhibits the same symptoms, though.
How do ADHD people read?
Because of poor working memory and inattentiveness among other ADHD symptoms, some people with ADHD can have a hard time with reading and reading comprehension. They may need additional support from parents or partners to read fluently. This could include strategies such as reading aloud, using audio books, and taking frequent breaks. Many experts suggest that people with ADHD practice active reading, including highlighting important passages as they read and taking notes in the margins, for example.
How does ADHD affect reading skills?
ADHD can cause a person to get distracted while reading, skip words or paragraphs, and have trouble remembering what they just read. This can affect a person’s self-esteem if left unaddressed, especially younger children in elementary school who are just learning to read.
How do ADHD people learn best?
People with ADHD typically learn best when they’re actively engaged in what they’re learning. Visual aids such as charts and tables can also help them retain information.
How to memorize with ADHD?
There are many ways to successfully memorize information, despite having ADHD. Strategies can include using mnemonic devices, writing the information down, using illustrations to coincide with concepts, and categorizing the items you need to memorize.
Are ADHD people good at reading people?
They can be. Some people with ADHD are highly empathetic and intuitive, meaning they pick up on subtle messages that other people might miss, such as body language and non-verbal cues.
Do people with ADHD read slowly?
Sometimes. ADHD can make it challenging to read fluently because of difficulty processing information and other symptoms such as the inability to focus for long periods of time. A recent study found that children with ADHD often have reading disabilities as well.
There are ways to assist children as they improve reading skills such as breaking larger sections down into smaller parts while practicing active reading. It could also be a good idea to connect with other parents who are teaching their children to read with ADHD or other reading disabilities for inspiration and support.
Having the condition treated by a professional is also important. According to the ADHD Clinic of San Antonio, “without proper treatment, the child may fall behind in schoolwork, and friendships may suffer.”
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