ADHD and Dyslexia | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E189
ADHD and Dyslexia: Supporting Reading and Focus in Children
Estimated Reading Time: 5–6 minutes
If your child struggles with reading, attention, or completing tasks, you’re not imagining it. Many children are misdiagnosed because ADHD and dyslexia often overlap. In this episode, Dr. Roseann explains how to identify dyslexia, differentiate it from ADHD, and provide brain-based supports that improve reading, focus, and emotional regulation.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How ADHD and dyslexia affect attention, cognitive load, and learning
- Why proper assessment is essential for accurate diagnosis
- Effective structured, multisensory reading programs
- Brain-based strategies to support ADHD and Emotional Dysregulation
How to tell ADHD from dyslexia
Dyslexia is a language-based processing challenge, while ADHD affects attention and executive functioning. Signs that dyslexia is impacting focus include:
- Difficulty decoding words despite strong verbal intelligence
- Cognitive overload during reading, leading to attention breakdown
- Slow or error-prone completion of schoolwork
Parent story: A child appeared inattentive but was actually exhausted by reading demands. Once decoding support was applied, focus and confidence improved.
Why schools miss dyslexia
Many teachers are not trained to identify dyslexia accurately. Advocacy steps:
- Request phonological processing testing and sound-by-sound decoding assessments
- Ask for Orton–Gillingham, Wilson, or Lindamood-Bell instruction
- Secure IEP or 504 accommodations for frequent, structured reading instruction
Supporting ADHD and dyslexia at home
Children with both conditions require brain-based supports:
- Magnesium to support focus and regulation
- Predictable routines and structured task breakdowns
- Co-regulation to model calm and reduce stress
- Sleep, nutrition, hydration, and movement to optimize attention
Parent story: A child improved reading fluency and emotional flexibility once these supports were implemented alongside structured instruction.
Listen + Take the Next Step
Get your FREE Regulation Rescue Kit to support focus and regulation:
👉 www.drroseann.com/newsletter
FAQs
Q1: What’s the main difference between dyslexia and ADHD?
Dyslexia affects language processing and decoding; ADHD affects attention and executive function.
Q2: Can dyslexia cause attention problems without ADHD?
Yes. Cognitive overload during reading can make children appear inattentive.
Q3: Can children with dyslexia learn to read fluently?
Absolutely. Structured, multisensory instruction delivered consistently is the gold standard.
Q4: How can parents support focus at home?
Predictable routines, magnesium, movement breaks, and co-regulation reinforce regulation and attention.
Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge helps parents understand Emotional Dysregulation in Children and teaches practical Nervous System Regulation in Children and Co-Regulation Techniques through her Regulation First Parenting™ approach.
To learn more about ADHD and dyslexia, you may check out the following posts:
● 9 Signs Your Child Might be Dyslexic
● What Parents Should Know About Auditory Dyslexia
● 504 Plan for Students with Dyslexia
● Improving Reading Skills Brain Training for Dyslexia with Nancy Mcdermott
Fler avsnitt av Dysregulated Kids: Science-Backed Parenting Help for Behavior, Anxiety, ADHD and More
Visa alla avsnitt av Dysregulated Kids: Science-Backed Parenting Help for Behavior, Anxiety, ADHD and MoreDysregulated Kids: Science-Backed Parenting Help for Behavior, Anxiety, ADHD and More med Dr. Roseann Capanna Hodge finns tillgänglig på flera plattformar. Informationen på denna sida kommer från offentliga podd-flöden.