How to Distinguish Between Dyslexia & ADHD

Dyslexia is, at its most basic level, characterized by cognitive differences that make decoding and understanding written language difficult. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is, at its most basic level, characterized by impulsivity or hyperactivity. Both dyslexia and ADHD are aspects of a person's identity that can cause some challenges in school, at work or with family. Sometimes, dyslexia and ADHD can have similar manifestations, but if you follow the steps below, you will be able to distinguish between them. Understanding whether a person has dyslexia or ADHD is the first step toward understanding and appreciating that person.

Things You'll Need

• Classroom, office or home

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Instructions

• 1

  Identify a person in the classroom, office or home who you think might have dyslexia or ADHD.

• 2

  Ask the person if he knows if he has dyslexia or ADHD. This step, while it may seem obvious, is absolutely crucial. Often, people have been diagnosed with ADHD or dyslexia as early as their early elementary school years. Some may have had IEPs or individualized education plans based on the testing they received as children. Although some may not want to reveal whether they have dyslexia or ADHD, many will appreciate that you are interested in this aspect of them and be happy to share with you how their dyslexia or ADHD affects them.

• 3

  Observe the person reading aloud or writing. If you are in a context where reading aloud is a common task, see if a person is able to read fluently without stumbling over words. If the person has trouble reading fluently, the person may have dyslexia. Dyslexia may manifest itself in other ways, like slow reading or limited reading comprehension skills. People with dyslexia can also have trouble with the signs and symbols of written language. If a person is frustrated with too much writing on the job, this might also indicate that he has dyslexia.

• 4

  Observe the person sitting down. If the person is fidgety or appears to daydream when you are talking to her, she may have ADHD. A person with dyslexia might fidget in her seat when asked to do a task that involves reading because she is embarrassed about not being able to read well. This does not necessarily mean that she has ADHD. She may act out because of the frustration caused by her dyslexia. If a person has trouble focusing, but is able to read and write fluently, she may have ADHD rather than dyslexia.

• 5

  If the person has trouble reading and focusing, it is possible that he has both ADHD and dyslexia.