ADHD and dyslexia exercises

ADHD and dyslexia are two distinct disorders, but they often occur together in the same child. When the two combine, reading becomes a real obstacle course. The child must at once decode with difficulty and sustain their attention. Here are exercises and adjustments designed for this double difficulty.

Two disorders that combine

ADHD concerns attention, impulsivity and sometimes restlessness. Dyslexia affects the learning of reading, the link between letters and sounds. These are two different disorders, but they are frequently associated. A child may have one, the other, or both. The diagnosis must tell them apart.

When they combine, the difficulties add up. Reading requires a great deal of effort from the dyslexic child. This effort quickly exhausts the attention of the child with ADHD. They drift off, lose the thread, and become discouraged. The difference between the two disorders is explained on the page ADHD or dyslexia.

Short reading sessions

For this child, long reading sessions are counterproductive. We favour short moments, five to ten minutes, but regular. We stop before they are exhausted, ideally on a word they have read well. They keep the desire to try.

We choose texts suited to their reading level, even if they seem easy for their age. Short texts, with an airy font and spaced lines. We can alternate: they read one sentence, the adult reads the next. They move forward without exhausting themselves. Further advice is available on the page to stay focused while reading.

Landmarks so as not to get lost

Visual landmarks help both reading and attention. A cover or a ruler to follow the line. A finger that accompanies the words. Coloured lines in alternation. The child no longer skips lines. They stay on the text.

We can also highlight difficult words before reading, and read them together a first time. The child then recognises them more easily. They are less held up. They keep the thread of meaning. They understand better what they read. For exercises specific to dyslexia, the site LaDyslexie offers many resources.

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Listening rather than reading

So as not to deprive the child of access to stories and knowledge, we use audiobooks. They listen, sometimes following the written text. They discover books for their age that they could not read alone. They learn words they would not have come across on their own. They keep the pleasure of stories.

For lessons, we can also read them aloud or record them. The child listens to them several times. They memorise them better. They compensate for their reading difficulties. Digital tools, such as text-to-speech, are also useful for older children. Learning by listening is developed on the page for learning a lesson.

Moving between efforts

Reading tires this child a great deal. Frequent breaks, with movement, help them recharge their attention. After five minutes of reading, they stand up, stretch, do a few jumps. Then they resume. They last longer over the whole session.

We can also combine movement and learning. They jump onto letters written on the floor to form a word. They throw a ball for each syllable. They learn by moving. They retain better. Ideas are proposed on the page of movement exercises.

Adjustments at school

At school, a child who combines ADHD and dyslexia may benefit from suitable adjustments. Extra time, instructions read aloud, enlarged and airy documents, oral assessments. These adjustments compensate for both of their disorders. They allow the child to show what they know. They are formalised in a personalised support plan.

The teacher can also limit the amount of writing required, or accept short answers. The important thing is to check knowledge, not the quantity of reading and writing. The child feels understood. They regain confidence. Details of the arrangements are on the page school adjustments.

Ongoing double support

When both disorders are present, ongoing double support is often needed. The speech and language therapist works on reading and phonological awareness. The psychologist, neuropsychologist or psychomotor therapist works on attention and organisation. The work of one reinforces that of the other. Professionals benefit from communicating with each other.

To find these specialists near you, the directory ProfessionnelsDys lets you search by speciality and by town. Waiting times for speech and language therapy can be long, so it is best to register early. In the meantime, exercises at home are already worthwhile. Other leads are on the page finding an available professional.