Dyslexia And ADHD: Coping With A Dual Diagnosis
Dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two separate conditions, each presenting unique challenges, such as spelling difficulties for people with dyslexia and impulse control issues in individuals with ADHD. Dyslexia is a learning disability, while ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Though they’re distinct from each other and have different symptoms, it’s not uncommon that ADHD and dyslexia occur simultaneously. Below, we’ll take a closer look at dyslexia and ADHD in terms of similarities, symptom overlap, and treatment options.
Dyslexia: A common learning disability
The International Dyslexia Association defines dyslexia as a language-based learning disability. Phonemic awareness, or the ability to hear and manipulate individual sounds in words, is a key skill that individuals with dyslexia may struggle with. As a result, an individual with dyslexia problems may have trouble with spelling, writing, and correctly pronouncing words out loud. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting 20% of the population – itmakes up 80% of all people with a diagnosed learning disability.
It’s a life-long condition that’s often first noticed in children in elementary school. However, it can affect anyone, including people with above-average intelligence. Support services such as tutoring or special accommodations may help dyslexic students succeed in school, overcome negative feedback, and develop positive feelings about their learning abilities.
Dyslexia symptoms
Dyslexia affects people differently based on the age of the individual, but a few general symptoms can include:
Slow to acquire reading skills in school relative to typical learners
Poor spelling
Poor handwriting
A dislike of and/or frustration with reading-related tasks
Trouble or a dislike of reading aloud
Difficulty remembering names of people and places
Difficulty retrieving words; frequent “it was on the tip of my tongue” moments
Low self-esteem or negative self-image as a result of these difficulties
These symptoms may hurt a child’s development and self-esteem, causing anxiety and frustration around learning. Sometimes, that frustration produces anger, and children may begin to act aggressively.
What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically affects attention and/or activity levels. People with ADHD may experience challenges with inattention, hyperactive behaviors, or a combination of the two.
ADHD symptoms
The most frequent ADHD symptoms are difficulties with concentrating and executive functioning, but inattention difficulties may also manifest as:
Trouble staying focused on a task
Trouble managing time
Being easily distracted
Frequently misplacing items
The hyperactive type may manifest as:
Fidgeting or squirming; difficulty sitting still
Always “on the go”
Excessive talking and/or talking out of turn
Difficulty waiting their turn; tendency to take over tasks from others
Again, an individual may experience symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, or a combination of both. Like dyslexia, ADHD is also commonly diagnosed at a young age, but it may persist into adulthood as well. It often co-occurs with other conditions, such as learning disabilities like dyslexia or anxiety disorders.
Experiencing both ADHD and dyslexia
It’s estimated that around 30% of those with dyslexia also have ADHD. In contrast, about half of those who live with ADHD also experience reading disabilities like dyslexia.
When it comes to understanding ADHD and dyslexia, it's important to recognize that these conditions can be diagnosed differently. Identifying risk factors is key in detecting individuals who may have both ADHD and dyslexia. For example, having a dyslexic parent can increase the chances of a child having either ADHD or dyslexia. An ADHD and dyslexia evaluation can be helpful for the early detection of these conditions.
These two conditions don’t cause each other, but it is possible for them to have some of the same symptoms, such as problems with attention, working memory, and reading comprehension. In some cases, the symptoms of one condition can worsen those of the other. A person with dyslexia may need more time and focus to read a piece of text, and inattention or hyperactivity symptoms of ADHD can make that more difficult in stressful situations.
People with ADHD may also become easily distracted and overlook details, which can make completing a task that dyslexia already makes challenging become even more so. Dyslexic children with ADHD, in particular, may experience challenges that negatively affect their school experience, potentially leading to lower self-esteem, dyslexia anxiety, or other painful feelings as they reach adolescence.
In some cases, children and adolescents who are depressed with either ADHD or dyslexia tend to keep intense feelings to themselves. As a result, parents misinterpret those powerful and terrifying emotions. Therefore, helping them seek early intervention and support for symptoms can be crucial.
Treatment options for ADHD, dyslexia, and anxiety
There’s currently no medication that can treat or cure dyslexia. Instead, children or adults with this condition may work with a specialist, such as a clinical psychologist trained in neurobehavioral disorders, who can help them identify strategies to improve daily functioning.
In addition, there are medications available to help people with ADHD manage their symptoms. Medication for ADHD may be helpful to some people but makes very little difference to others, so it’s usually important to work closely with a qualified healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment options to find out what might be best for you or your child.
There are also a variety of accommodations that someone with either condition may be able to request at school and/or work that can make it easier for them to accomplish tasks. For example, an educational psychologist may be available who can provide therapy and support someone experiencing dyslexia and/or ADHD. They may be able to provide a helpful report that helps individuals become fluent readers and improve their learning strategies.
The International Dyslexia Association provides valuable information and support for dyslexic writers and readers beyond medication and therapy. Other organizations may provide additional resources to help those with dyslexia or ADHD thrive and succeed.
Research suggests that certain therapy modalities—such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—may help those with ADHD in particular manage their symptoms. This and other types of general talk therapy may also be able to help an individual manage any distress they experience as a result of their diagnosis and rebuild their self-esteem if their symptoms and related challenges have negatively affected it. If you’re a parent who is having trouble adjusting to or coping with your child’s diagnosis of dyslexia and/or ADHD or related challenges, a therapist can also provide a safe space where you can express and process these very powerful feelings.
How online therapy can help from a young age
If you’re interested in seeking the support of a therapist to help you cope with a diagnosis or symptoms of a condition that affects your or your child’s mental health, you have options. Those who would feel more comfortable meeting with a mental health care provider in person can search for one in their local area. Alternatively, those who would find it more convenient to meet with a provider virtually from the comfort of home can consider online therapy since research suggests that both formats can offer similar benefits.
With a virtual therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging to address the challenges you may be facing and help you cultivate positive feelings. Online therapy may also be more cost-effective than in-person sessions, meaning that it can be a good option for those facing financial constraints as well.
Takeaway
Dyslexia and ADHD are different disorders, but it’s not uncommon for them to co-occur in the same individual, and symptoms of the two conditions often have some overlap. If you’re experiencing signs of a mental health condition, learning disability, or related challenge, speaking with a doctor, therapist, or specialist may be a helpful first step.
Evidence suggests that anxiety and other mental health concerns are about twice as likely to occur in children with learning disorders than in the general population. While this effect has been studied, schools and families often struggle to help children manage the mental health burdens of learning disabilities.
Children with learning disorders may need help boosting their confidence and self-esteem to continue to apply themselves to their schoolwork. It can be draining and challenging for a child to remain motivated when they feel that their best effort might still not be enough to reach their peers' level and meet their parents' expectations. Helping them build confidence will likely minimize frustration and maximize success when managing symptoms.
Can stress and anxiety cause dyslexia?
There is evidence to suggest that children who are exposed to high stress at a very young age or whose mothers are excessively stressed while pregnant with them may be at a higher risk. Early stress triggers can significantly alter the course of normal brain development, disrupting brain systems and developmental resources typically used for developing fundamental skills like reading. The research supporting the stress-development imbalance is preliminary, but scientists have already noted changes to brain structure and biological function that may make it harder for children to develop reading skills.
Evidence suggests that children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities may experience a significant adverse effect on their mental health. Children can have their whole self-concept affected, meaning they may not believe they can succeed academically or be worthy of completing difficult cognitive challenges. If not managed in childhood, those adverse effects may develop into serious difficulties later in life.
For both children and adults, impacts on confidence and self-esteem are likely. One study found that teens and young adults with learning disabilities report higher rates of suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety disorders than their peers without learning disabilities. If unaddressed, the adverse effects of learning disabilities on mental health may worsen. The same study found that adults aged 30 to 44 had even higher rates of distress than the younger cohort, indicating that mental health issues may become more severe over time.
High stress levels likely have mixed effects on dyslexia. On the one hand, if a person with dyslexia encounters a task that is difficult for them, but they believe they can accomplish it, stress may help motivate them to face the challenge with a sense of confidence. On the other hand, stress can cause anxiety and worry as the person anticipates the task's difficulty, which may significantly lower their performance.
The International Dyslexia Association indicates that the dyslexia-stress-anxiety connection represents a balance between motivating stressors and those that cause a person to avoid or shy away from a task. In children, it is important to address their self-concept and self-esteem to ensure they are tackling challenges they may not feel they can complete. The more stress kids feel, the more they are likely to avoid a task, and it is important to develop resilience to overcome adverse stress.
People with this diagnosis experience several adverse effects on their mental health and overall well-being. Adults and children alike are impacted, and a significant portion of helping people manage symptoms is helping them manage the burdens on self-esteem and self-image. Those with it are more likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or depression, and they may struggle to maintain a healthy self-concept in both childhood and as adults.
How many people with dyslexia have anxiety?
Evidence suggests that nearly 30% of children with dyslexia develop anxiety disorders. Children become aware of how important reading is at a very young age, and the stress associated with not being able to complete age-appropriate reading tasks can lead to high levels of anxiety. They may struggle to manage the stress associated with reading and will likely need help to reduce stress when encountering reading tasks. If left unmanaged, the emotional impact can lead to low self-image, anger, and depression. The emotional symptoms will likely worsen in adulthood if it is not treated in childhood.
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