What’s the link between ADHD & Learning Disabilities LD?

A Quick Guide

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It affects a person’s executive functions such as memory, concentration, etc. But what is important to keep in mind is that ADHD is not a learning disability LD even if it makes learning difficult.

For instance, if you are not able to pay attention in class or if you feel agitated to have to sit in one place with a book. Sure this will definitely make it harder for you to learn. But it is not referred to as a learning disability because that impairment is not on a severe level. 

But at times, ADHD can also occur with learning disabilities LD. In that case, a person may have a higher level of impairment of these executive functions including impairment of certain skills such as reading, writing, solving maths, etc. In this article, we will discuss the link between ADHD and learning disabilities.

What is ADHD? 

ADHD is one of the most common mental health disorders characterized by attention deficits, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. According to the data collected by the Centres For Disease Control And Prevention CDC between 2016-2019, around 6 million children aged 13-17 were diagnosed with ADHD in the US alone. 

Furthermore, boys tend to show more externalizing symptoms than girls hence they get diagnosed more easily. So, it is seen that according to stats ADHD is 3-5 times more prevalent in boys as compared to girls. Learn How To Provide Support To Children With ADHD As A Parent?

Those with ADHD can complete tasks regardless of their complexity as long as they are able to focus on the task which can be rather difficult and varies from person to person. For instance, it may be easier for you to complete a task at one time but later you may find it terribly difficult. So there’s this pattern of inconsistency observed in the behavior of people with ADHD. 

What is considered a Learning Disability LD?

Learning Disabilities LDs are quite common. A learning disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder that often occurs in average or intelligent people. 

One thing to note here is that LDs are not intellectual disabilities. Those with LDs simply process information differently than their fellows. 

According to research, about 5-15 % population is affected by LDs. These learning disabilities make it harder for a person to read, write, spell or solve math. They may also affect a person’s long-term and short-term memory along with listening and speaking skills, organizing, and recalling information.

Furthermore, it varies on the person how much they are affected by their LDs. These disabilities also last a person’s life so the only way to deal with them is by managing them. 

The link between ADHD & Learning Disabilities LD

ADHD leads to a global impairment in executive functions such as difficulty in concentration and attention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. Whereas LD is more of an impairment in a specific skill such as difficulty in reading or solving math problems. 

Since some of the main factors of ADHD and LD such as impairment in executive functions overlap, there are more chances of these disorders coexisting together. Research suggests that around one-third to one-half of those with ADHD also have an LD. 

Moreover, in the case that ADHD and LDs co-occur in a person, it is essential to manage them both together. 

We hope you found this article helpful in understanding more about the connection between ADHD and Learning Disabilities. To learn more about ADHD and Dyslexia, check out our other article: ADHD And Dyslexia: How Are They Connected?

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