ADHD CO-OCCURRING CONDITIONS

ADHD and Learning Differences in Adults: Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Beyond

This article explores how ADHD may overlap with learning differences such as dyslexia or dyscalculia, and how understanding both can improve daily life.

Navigating Learning Differences Alongside ADHD

ADHD in adults can be complex and multifaceted, often presenting alongside other learning differences that affect reading, writing, mathematics, or information processing. These co-occurring challenges, such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, may influence various aspects of life, including workplace demands, tertiary study, and everyday tasks. For individuals navigating this intersection, seeking an ADHD assessment can be an important first step toward understanding their cognitive profile and exploring further avenues of support.

What Are Learning Differences?

Learning differences refer to variations in how individuals take in, process, and respond to information. Unlike intellectual disabilities, they do not affect overall intelligence, but can significantly impact academic or functional skills. Some of the most common include:

Dyslexia: Affects reading, spelling, and writing. Adults may notice difficulties with reading fluency, written expression, or word recall.
Dyscalculia: Impacts mathematical reasoning and number sense. Tasks like budgeting, estimating time, or interpreting data might be harder.
Dysgraphia: Involves challenges with handwriting and written composition.
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): Affects how the brain interprets sound, making following verbal instructions or conversations in noisy settings difficult.

These conditions are usually assessed by educational or neuropsychologists. While ADHDTA does not provide assessment for learning differences, understanding their potential overlap with ADHD can help individuals seek the right guidance.

How ADHD and Learning Differences Can Overlap

Although ADHD is distinct from learning differences, the two often co-occur. Research suggests that a significant proportion of individuals with ADHD also have at least one learning difficulty. This overlap can compound challenges in attention, memory, and executive function.

For example:

Inattentiveness in ADHD might make it harder to focus on reading, but if dyslexia is also present, the difficulty may be due to word decoding, not just distraction.
Slow processing speed, common in ADHD, may be further impacted by dyscalculia when working with numbers or sequences.
Working memory issues may be amplified when both ADHD and dysgraphia affect the ability to structure and write information clearly.

These complexities underline the importance of comprehensive assessment. While an ADHD assessment focuses specifically on ADHD, adults who are concerned about possible learning differences may benefit from discussing this with their GP, who can provide guidance on next steps and arrange specialist referrals if needed.

Signs That May Prompt Further Exploration

Some adults may not have been diagnosed with any learning differences in childhood. However, later-life study or professional environments can highlight areas of difficulty. Consider speaking with your GP if any of the following resonate:

Ongoing spelling or grammar issues despite effort
Difficulty following lectures or written instructions
Avoidance of reading or numerical tasks
Challenges summarising or organising written content
Trouble estimating time or managing finances

A telehealth ADHD diagnosis can help clarify ADHD-related patterns, while your GP can advise on whether further assessment for specific learning differences is appropriate.

Support and Strategies for Adults

There are many tools and supports available for adults managing ADHD and learning differences. Key strategies include:

Assistive technology: Text-to-speech software, spelling aids, or dyslexia-friendly fonts can reduce reading strain.
Visual supports: Charts, diagrams, and mind maps can aid memory and comprehension.
Time management tools: Apps or planners can support executive functioning.
Workplace or study adjustments: Extended time, flexible deadlines, or alternative assessment formats may be available through disability support services.
Multimodal learning: Combining visual, auditory, and hands-on learning approaches can increase understanding.

Treatment planning for ADHD is not one-size-fits-all. Support may involve behavioural strategies, adjustments in study or work environments, and, when appropriate, medical treatment. Decisions about ADHD medication are made on an individual basis by a prescribing specialist, often a telehealth psychiatrist. For some adults, exploring how to get ADHD medication in Australia forms part of a broader care pathway, but equally important are non-medication strategies that build confidence and practical skills.

Conclusion

Understanding the relationship between ADHD and co-occurring learning differences can offer important insights for adults seeking to improve how they learn, work, and communicate. While no two people will have the same experiences, recognising these patterns can be the first step toward building practical, compassionate strategies. Exploring an online ADHD diagnosis in Australia may help individuals clarify their needs and access support options, while also working with their GP to address any additional learning concerns if required.