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 symptoms that can affect reading comprehension 

Several common symptoms of the various presentations of ADHD may affect an individual's reading skills, including the following.

Inattention

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

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. 

Tips to improve reading comprehension for those with ADHD

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. 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. 

The original Pomodoro technique involves the following steps:

1. Choose the task you intend to focus on.
2. Set your timer for 25 minutes (or the amount of your choosing). 
3. Work on your chosen task until the timer goes off.
4. Take a short break (five to 10 minutes is typically suggested).
5. 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. 

Learn coping techniques for managing ADHD symptoms

Get connected with a licensed therapist

Get 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. 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

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. 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.

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.