5 Common Overlapping Symptoms of ADHD and Dyslexia in Children

Children with ADHD and Dyslexia often show overlapping difficulties that can affect how they learn, read, write, and stay focused. Although the two conditions are different, they commonly occur together, creating shared challenges such as attention issues, slow processing, and low academic confidence. Understanding these overlapping symptoms helps parents and teachers provide the right support early and effectively.

The 5 Common Overlapping Symptoms of ADHD and Dyslexia

When both conditions coexist, the child may appear inattentive, easily frustrated, or inconsistent in their schoolwork—not because they lack ability, but because their brain is working extra hard to manage focus and decode language at the same time. Recognizing these signs early allows for targeted strategies that reduce stress, build confidence, and support smoother learning.

• Difficulty Sustaining Attention

• Slow Processing Speed 

• Working Memory Challenges

• Inconsistent Performance

• Poor Academic Confidence

Difficulty with Focus and Attention

One of the most noticeable symptoms in children with ADHD is trouble maintaining focus. These children may appear easily distracted, frequently shifting their attention from one task to another.

Children with dyslexia can also struggle with focus, especially when reading or processing written information. Decoding is slow and effortful and hence these children may appear distracted.

This overlap can lead to misunderstandings, as inattentiveness or deliberation might be mistaken for disinterest or lack of effort.

Slow Processing Speed

In Dyslexia

Slow processing happens mainly with language-related tasks. The child may take extra time to:

• decode words while reading

• understand instructions

• recall spelling patterns

• write sentences or copy from the board

This is because the brain needs more time to connect sounds, letters, and meanings.

In ADHD

Slow processing is linked to attention, mental organization, and task initiation. The child may:

• take longer to start tasks

• lose their place while reading

• respond slowly because attention drifts

• take extra time to think through steps

Here the struggle isn’t with language itself, but with sustaining mental focus long enough to complete the task efficiently.

Working Memory Challenges

Working memory is essential for learning spellings because children must hold letter sounds and sequences in mind long enough to blend, write, and recall them. Without strong working memory, they may forget the order of letters, reverse sounds, or lose track of the spelling before completing the word.

Strong working memory also supports automaticity, helping words move from effortful sounding-out to instant recognition and accurate spelling.

While with ADHD, working memory issues come from attention lapses and difficulty holding information long enough to use it. A child may hear instructions but forget them moments later, lose track of what they were saying or writing or forget materials or steps even in familiar routines.

Inconsistent Performance

Inconsistent performance is common in both ADHD and Dyslexia, but it stems from different reasons:

• In ADHD, attention naturally fluctuates, so a child may do very well on one day and struggle the next time simply because their attention varies. This makes their effort and output look unpredictable.

• In Dyslexia, performance changes based on mental fatigue. When decoding becomes tiring, mistakes increase in reading, writing, and spelling—even if the child knew the same words perfectly the previous day.

Some days they read or focus well, other days everything falls apart. Fluctuation is common in both ADHD (attention variability) and Dyslexia (processing fatigue)

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Low Self-Esteem and Emotional Challenges

Children with ADHD and Dyslexia often face poor academic performance because tasks that involve reading, writing, focus, and memory demand extra effort from their brains.

Over time, repeated mistakes and slower progress can lower confidence, making them doubt their abilities even when they are capable. These ongoing struggles may also lead to emotional challenges such as frustration, anxiety, avoidance of schoolwork, or feeling “not good enough,” even though the root issue is neurological—not a lack of intelligence or effort.

Children with ADHD and dyslexia may also feel isolated or misunderstood by peers and adults. Recognizing these emotional symptoms is crucial for providing the right support and encouragement.

Here are a few practical strategies to support children with ADHD and Dyslexia while ensuring the confidence of the children is not dented.