Why do people with ADHD often need instructions repeated multiple times? 

People with ADHD are not choosing to ignore instructions. They often need information repeated because ADHD affects the cognitive systems responsible for holding, processing and recalling spoken directions. According to NICE guidance (NG87), difficulties with attention, working memory and organisation can significantly impact everyday tasks, including following verbal instructions at home, school or work. 

Why instructions are easily lost in ADHD 

Research consistently shows that many children and adults with ADHD have reduced verbal working memory, slower processing speed and weaker attention control. These functions help us keep each part of an instruction in mind long enough to act on it. A 2025 working-memory study found that although people with ADHD can focus on key information, overall capacity remains limited, meaning less-prioritised details are more easily forgotten. 

Attention often shifts mid-instruction, so only fragments of the message are encoded. Processing speed can also lag behind the pace of spoken information, making it difficult to keep up with multi-step or quickly delivered directions. Brain-imaging research shows reduced activation in the prefrontal cortex during verbal tasks, supporting a neurological basis for these challenges (Frontiers in Neurology, 2025). 

Supporting better understanding 

NICE guidance (NG87) guidance recommend breaking instructions into smaller steps, offering written or visual backups and repeating key points when needed. Asking the person to repeat the instruction in their own words and allowing extra processing time can also help consolidate the information. 

Key takeaway 

People with ADHD often need instructions repeated because of differences in working memory, attention and processing speed. Clear, structured communication and supportive strategies can make verbal instructions easier to understand and remember. 

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.