Are attention deficits in ADHD responsible for reading difficulties? 

Attention problems are a core feature of ADHD and can make reading slower, more effortful and harder to understand. According to NICE guidance (NG87), ADHD affects sustained focus, organisation and working memory, all of which are essential for fluent reading. Many people with ADHD can decode words accurately but struggle to stay engaged with the text or remember what they have read, particularly when passages are long or detailed. 

How attention difficulties affect reading 

Research shows that attention and executive functions play a central role in reading comprehension. A 2023 study of university students found that differences in comprehension were strongly linked to executive functions such as working memory, inhibition and planning. Neuropsychological work also shows that children with ADHD often have average word-reading ability but reduced comprehension, partly due to slower processing speed and weaker working memory. A 2024–2025 longitudinal literacy study reported that profiles with executive-function weaknesses predicted poorer reading outcomes more accurately than diagnosis labels alone. 

Supporting reading focus in ADHD 

Evidence suggests that structured approaches can help. Digital reading research shows that metacognitive scaffolding prompts to monitor attention and understanding can improve comprehension in ADHD. Educational guidance based on to NICE guidance (NG87), recommends breaking text into shorter sections, providing written summaries, reducing distractions and offering extra time. These adjustments help reduce the attention load needed to stay engaged with reading. 

Key takeaway 

Attention deficits in ADHD can significantly affect reading, not by impairing decoding but by disrupting focus, mental organisation and memory. With targeted strategies and supportive environments, many people with ADHD can improve reading confidence and comprehension. 

Avery Lombardi, MSc

Author

Avery Lombardi is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She has professional experience in psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and research, working with both child and adult populations. Avery has provided clinical services in hospital, educational, and community settings, delivering interventions such as CBT, DBT, and tailored treatment plans for conditions including anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. She has also contributed to research on self-stigma, self-esteem, and medication adherence in psychotic patients, and has created educational content on ADHD, treatment options, and daily coping strategies.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy. 

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.