Can ADHD inattentive type cause reading disability misdiagnosis? 

It is possible for ADHD inattentive type reading misdiagnosis to happen when focus-related issues are mistaken for a reading disorder such as dyslexia. Inattentive ADHD is characterised by forgetfulness, distractibility, and difficulty sustaining mental effort, all of which can affect reading performance. This overlap means that inattentive ADHD reading issues can sometimes be misinterpreted as a primary reading disability. 

In dyslexia, reading problems stem from difficulties in phonological processing, decoding, and recognising words. In ADHD, however, a child may read slowly or inaccurately because attention drifts, not because they lack reading skills. Without careful evaluation, this can lead to reading disability misdiagnosis ADHD, where the underlying cause is incorrectly identified. 

Why Misdiagnosis Happens 

The ADHD dyslexia misdiagnosis risk increases when assessments do not separate attention-related errors from genuine decoding or language-processing challenges. If a child’s reading improves significantly when distractions are reduced, the issue is more likely linked to ADHD than to dyslexia. For this reason, ADHD inattentive type reading misdiagnosis can be avoided with comprehensive testing. 

Signs the Reading Issue May Be Attention-Based 

Performance improves with short, focused reading sessions  

Suggests attention, rather than decoding skill, is the main barrier. 

Reading accuracy fluctuates from day to day 

 Points toward variable focus rather than a consistent skill gap. 

Difficulty following text in noisy environments  

Indicates external distractions are a significant factor. 

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations to distinguish between attention-based reading struggles and true reading disabilities. 

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia).