ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia are often discussed together, particularly when a child is having difficulties at school. But how closely are these conditions actually linked? And does having ADHD mean a child is more likely to have a specific learning difficulty as well?
A study conducted in the Netherlands in 2025 found that around 1 in 3 children with ADHD also had dyslexia or dyscalculia. At the same time, most children with ADHD, dyslexia or dyscalculia in the study had only one of these conditions. Furthermore, the overlap was linked to shared genetic influences rather than to one condition causing another.
While struggling at school, telling ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia apart can help both children and adults with all of these conditions find appropriate support. This would help adults understand why an ADHD assessment provides only a partial answer to their struggles with reading, writing and maths.
This article explains the relationship between ADHD and learning differences, the red flags in children and adults, the differences between ADHD and learning assessments, and the assessment and support pathways available in Australia.
Key Takeaways
- ADHD mainly affects attention, impulse control and executive function, while specific learning disorders affect particular academic skills.
- Dyslexia, dyscalculia and difficulties with written expression can occur alongside ADHD.
- ADHD is assessed clinically by an appropriately qualified clinician. Assessment for a specific learning disorder may involve a psychologist with relevant expertise.
- Telehealth can provide access to ADHD assessment in Australia when a psychiatrist considers it clinically appropriate.
ADHD and learning differences
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting an individual’s attention, impulse control, and executive functioning, including planning, organisation, and working memory.
Learning differences are a broader term that describes differences in learning challenges and difficulties across one or more aspects of learning.
The Overlap: ADHD vs. Learning Disability
A simple comparison is as follows. These are broad descriptions rather than diagnostic checklists. A person may have difficulties in more than one area.
Feature | ADHD | Dyslexia | Dyscalculia |
Core challenge | Executive function and self-regulation | Phonological processing and word decoding | Number sense and spatial reasoning |
Primary symptoms | Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity | Difficulty reading, spelling and sounding out words | Difficulty with maths concepts, time and money |
Brain functions involved | Attention, planning and self-regulation | Language and reading | Numerical processing |
Conditions That Can Co-Occur With ADHD
ADHD and Dyslexia
Dyslexia is associated with difficulties in reading accuracy, reading fluency, decoding and spelling. ADHD can affect reading in a different way. Someone may lose focus during a long passage, miss instructions, or have difficulty retaining information while reading. When both conditions are present, the difficulties can overlap. Reading may be affected by both the learning disorder and attention problems.
ADHD and Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia involves difficulties with number facts and mathematical concepts. ADHD can compound these difficulties because problems with attention and working memory may make multi-step calculations harder and increase the risk of errors.
Some signs of dyscalculia can include:
- Persistent difficulty with basic calculations
- Trouble understanding quantities or relationships between numbers
- Difficulty working with percentages, fractions or ratios
- Problems interpreting measurements
- Frequently confusing numbers or mathematical symbols
- Avoiding tasks that involve mathematics
These signs are not enough to establish dyscalculia. ADHD, anxiety, educational experiences and other factors can affect performance with numbers too.
ADHD and Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia makes fine handwriting and written expression difficult and can cause a person to write slowly or press too hard. It often occurs with ADHD and can cause problems with focus, organisation, and task completion, including writing, completing assigned tasks, and checking completed tasks.
ADHD and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD), known previously as dyspraxia, co-occurs with ADHD and makes it difficult to build focus, initiate tasks and organise the directions necessary to complete various written tasks. Because of DCD, certain physical activities become more challenging, and ADHD worsens this issue. It also makes it difficult to dress oneself, tie shoelaces, engage in physical activities, and perform everyday tasks.
ADHD and Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
APD is a condition where the brain struggles to process sounds correctly. ADHD may make it difficult to stay focused on spoken information, while auditory processing difficulties can affect how that information is processed. The two can look similar, particularly in noisy environments, so professional assessment may be needed to understand what is contributing to the difficulty.
Recognizing the Signs
Signs of Learning Difficulties + ADHD in Children
Problems with attention or learning may become more noticeable once a child starts school. Sometimes concerns are also apparent at home.
Signs worth discussing with a teacher or health professional can include:
- Difficulty staying focused on schoolwork
- Forgetting instructions
- Problems getting started or finishing tasks
- Persistent difficulty with reading or spelling
- Difficulty understanding numbers or mathematical concepts
- Taking much longer than expected to complete certain tasks
- Avoiding particular types of schoolwork
- Difficulty keeping track of books, equipment or assignments
- Written work that does not reflect the child’s verbal understanding
These signs can have different explanations. A child’s developmental history, learning environment, and difficulties over time all contribute to understanding what may be going on.
Signs of Learning Difficulties + ADHD in Adults
Some adults reach adulthood without having had their learning difficulties formally assessed. They may have developed their own ways of managing them over the years.
Common difficulties include:
- Finding lengthy reading or written tasks difficult to concentrate on
- Persistent spelling problems
- Difficulty organising written work
- Struggling with calculations or number-heavy tasks
- Losing track of multi-step instructions
- Taking much longer than expected to complete certain tasks
- Relying heavily on reminders, calendars, calculators or spellcheck
- Putting off tasks that consistently feel difficult
There can be more than one reason for these difficulties. ADHD, a specific learning disorder, anxiety, fatigue or other factors may all affect learning and day-to-day functioning.
Recognizing the Signs
Signs of Learning Difficulties + ADHD in Children
Problems with attention or learning may become more noticeable once a child starts school. Sometimes concerns are also apparent at home.
Signs worth discussing with a teacher or health professional can include:
- Difficulty staying focused on schoolwork
- Forgetting instructions
- Problems getting started or finishing tasks
- Persistent difficulty with reading or spelling
- Difficulty understanding numbers or mathematical concepts
- Taking much longer than expected to complete certain tasks
- Avoiding particular types of schoolwork
- Difficulty keeping track of books, equipment or assignments
- Written work that does not reflect the child’s verbal understanding
These signs can have different explanations. A child’s developmental history, learning environment, and difficulties over time all contribute to understanding what may be going on.
Signs of Learning Difficulties + ADHD in Adults
Some adults reach adulthood without having had their learning difficulties formally assessed. They may have developed their own ways of managing them over the years.
Common difficulties include:
- Finding lengthy reading or written tasks difficult to concentrate on
- Persistent spelling problems
- Difficulty organising written work
- Struggling with calculations or number-heavy tasks
- Losing track of multi-step instructions
- Taking much longer than expected to complete certain tasks
- Relying heavily on reminders, calendars, calculators or spellcheck
- Putting off tasks that consistently feel difficult
There can be more than one reason for these difficulties. ADHD, a specific learning disorder, anxiety, fatigue or other factors may all affect learning and day-to-day functioning.
Support Pathways and Management
School Supports and NDIS for Children
ADHD and learning support students commonly require school adjustments such as extended time, assistive technologies, more precise instruction, and targeted supported learning of either literacy or numeracy. A child’s diagnosis will not guarantee their place in the NDIS. It will depend on the child’s condition and the NDIS criteria.
Workplace and Study Adjustments for Adults
Adults may require adjustments in the same respects as written instructions, assistive technologies, additional time to complete assessments, or changes in how information is presented.
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
A GP or any other health practitioner should be consulted if difficulties in maintaining attention or performing tasks of daily life are experienced, as well as if there are difficulties experienced in school, college or work due to reading, writing or mathematics.
If concerns are brought up by parents/guardians or teachers, it may be appropriate for children to be assessed. Likewise, adults who struggled with the same issues years ago should be assessed.
How Can HelloDoc Help?
HelloDoc conducts psychiatric ADHD assessments through telehealth for both children and adults across Australia. A psychiatrist will assess ADHD symptoms and the history of the individual and their day-to-day functioning as a result of such symptoms.
However, if difficulties with reading, writing or mathematics suggest a possible learning disorder, an ADHD assessment won’t replace that. Your psychiatrist will advise if a learning assessment is further required.
A referral from a GP is required to see a psychiatrist, and in most cases, a referral is also required to claim a Medicare rebate for the appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ADHD and a learning disability?
ADHD mainly affects attention, impulse control, and executive function. A specific learning disorder involves persistent difficulties with particular academic skills, such as reading, spelling, written expression, or mathematics.
Can ADHD cause learning difficulties in children?
ADHD presents challenges with concentration, memory, organisation, and task completion. Specific learning disorders, on the other hand, include dyslexia and dyscalculia. A child can have ADHD, a learning disorder, or both, and they don’t have a direct correlation.
What are the signs of dyscalculia in adults with ADHD?
There are a number of signs to look out for, such as issues with math calculations, relationships, percentages, and other math-related tasks. There are many possible causes for these issues, and an evaluation would be necessary to rule out dyscalculia and other concerns.
Can ADHD be diagnosed through telehealth?
Yes. ADHD assessments via telehealth are considered clinically appropriate by a psychiatrist. HelloDoc provides Telehealth ADHD assessments for adults and children in Australia.
Do you need a GP referral for an ADHD assessment?
In most cases, a referral from your GP would allow you to see a psychiatrist, and medical rebates would apply. Your GP can discuss your concerns and determine whether a specialist ADHD assessment is appropriate.
Can a psychiatrist diagnose dyslexia or dyscalculia?
If a psychiatrist suspects a learning disorder as part of an ADHD evaluation, they will conduct a formal assessment of dyslexia or dyscalculia, but this is likely to be performed by a psychologist with appropriate training and standardised assessment tools.
Are learning differences covered by the NDIS in Australia?
A diagnosis of ADHD, Dyslexia, or other learning disorder does not grant you automatic access to the NDIS. You should check the requirements and see how you fit within the system.
Can treating ADHD improve difficulties with reading or mathematics?
Treatment for ADHD may improve attention and make it easier to engage with reading or mathematics. It does not treat an underlying specific learning disorder such as dyslexia or dyscalculia.
