The surprising links between ADHD and dyslexia
- Dr Zoe Cross
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
If you’ve ever watched a child try to read the same sentence three times and still not take it in; or found yourself starting a book only to realise your mind has wandered halfway through page one, you might start to ponder the connection between ADHD and dyslexia. They are often referred to as separate conditions, but for many people they co-exist.
Understanding the link between ADHD and dyslexia can make life, learning and self-understanding a lot easier.
Two different but connected challenges
In simple terms dyslexia affects the way the brain processes written and spoken language. People with dyslexia may struggle with reading, spelling or recalling written information, even though they’re just as bright as anyone else.
ADHD affects focus, organisation and self-control. For some, it means constant mental buzz and restlessness. For others, it shows up as forgetfulness, zoning out or difficulty getting started.
They sound different, and they are, but they often share space in the same brain. Research from the University of Edinburgh (2024) found genetic links between ADHD and dyslexia, suggesting they have overlapping roots rather than being random companions. Other studies show that around 30–50% of people with one condition also have traits of the other.
Why they overlap
Both ADHD and dyslexia involve how the brain handles attention, working memory (holding information in mind) and processing speed. Reading fluently requires focus and steady attention, so if your attention slips easily, decoding words and linking them together becomes much harder. This makes it infinitely more challenging to build and follow a story which is, of course, one of the main motivators for reading.
Likewise, if you already find word recognition tricky because of dyslexia, keeping your mind on task can feel exhausting as the effort itself invites distraction. It’s not laziness or lack of intelligence; it’s how the brain’s wiring means that some tasks take extra energy. Having ADHD is exhausting for all sorts of reasons, including the combination of physical and mental overload, and this extra effort needed for reading is part of the picture.
Neuroscience suggests that the same brain networks involved in learning and attention are implicated in both conditions. So, the overlap isn’t coincidence, it’s part of the shared architecture of how we think and learn.
What this looks like day-to-day
Everyday life with ADHD and dyslexia can feel like constantly trying to catch up with your own thoughts. A child might start reading a paragraph, lose their place halfway through, then need to start again. An adult might write an email three times before it makes sense, or misread a text or details on a form.
It’s easy to assume that reading isn’t your thing or you just have a short attention span but recognising that these difficulties may stem from both attention and processing differences can be a lightbulb moment. It shifts the story from self-blame to understanding.
Top five signs to look for
Here are some clues that ADHD and dyslexia might both be in the mix: in yourself, your child or someone you care for:
Reading feels harder than it should: slow, extra-effort reading, avoidance, or frequently losing your place
Spelling and writing errors: letters reversed, words missed or sentences written differently every time
Focus fades quickly on reading or writing tasks: especially when the task is long, detailed or repetitive
Forgetfulness or overwhelm: struggling to hold on to instructions, details or remembering what you just read
Organisation challenges: missing deadlines, messy notebooks, or half-finished projects that pile up
Having one or two of these isn’t proof of ADHD or dyslexia, but if several sound familiar, it could be worth exploring further.
Getting the right support
The good news is that ADHD and dyslexia can be very well supported and recognising both conditions co-exist is the very start. For children, schools can put in place tailored strategies. That might include extra time in exams, reading technology or breaking tasks into smaller chunks.
For adults, workplace adjustments and tools like text-to-speech software, planners, and focus apps can make a big difference. ADHD-friendly routines, setting reminders, working in short bursts, using physical movement to reset focus can often help with dyslexia too.
How many times have you sat in an overly long meeting thinking that you need to leave because you’ve lost focus, attention and interest? Similarly for children, sitting through anything formal and needing to be on their ‘best behaviour’ for long periods of time is tortuous for all concerned. It’s so important to understand limitations and set expectations that can be met realistically: removing blame and showing empathy.
Let’s talk
If you think you or someone you care for might have ADHD and/or dyslexia, let’s have a chat. Getting assessed opens doors to better understanding and support. It can be a huge relief to recognise what you need to make life more comfortable and easier to navigate. Putting boundaries in place, knowing how to explain your needs and enjoying the new-found information you have about yourself is a vital, positive, exciting step. One client said “It was like a switch had been flipped and everything I had previously struggled with suddenly made sense. It changed how I structured my day and how I approached the tasks I needed to do each day.”
Many people with ADHD and dyslexia are creative problem-solvers, great communicators and imaginative thinkers. The challenges are real, but so are the strengths. Once you understand how your brain works, you can find tools and routines that work with it rather than against it.
So if reading feels overwhelming and focusing feels impossible, remember it’s not just you. Your brain may simply be tuned a little differently and that’s okay.
Sources:
University of Edinburgh (2024), Dyslexia and ADHD share genetic links – ed.ac.uk
The Autism Service UK (2024), ADHD and Dyslexia: Similarities & Differences – theautismservice.co.uk
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