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Studies suggest that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to struggle with reading comprehension and other language arts skills. Other conditions, such as learning disabilities, can have an impact, too. While many kids struggle with reading, it's a crucial skill that promotes critical thinking, helps students succeed in school, and more. So, what can you do to support a child with reading difficulties?
With practice and consistency, kids can overcome challenges and even develop a love for reading. In this article, we'll explore how ADHD affects reading and reading programs that can help kids with ADHD develop the reading skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. Then, we'll discuss additional strategies parents can use to teach reading skills.
Reading And ADHD
First, why might children with ADHD have a harder time learning to read? It is not a personal fault. Kids with ADHD may encounter various obstacles as they learn to read, including but not limited to the following.
ADHD symptoms
ADHD symptoms themselves can have an impact on reading. For example, trouble focusing, engaging in quiet activities, or retaining information because of working memory difficulties can all lead to reading difficulties. Noticeable areas students with ADHD may experience challenges with while learning to read include but aren't limited to word reading, decoding, and reading comprehension.
Learning disabilities
ADHD itself is not a learning disability. However, research shows that kids with ADHD are significantly more likely to have learning disabilities like Dyslexia. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects a person's ability to learn to read and may be worth testing for in kids who show signs.
With that said, children with ADHD can meet their reading goals with help from parents and other individuals in their life. Assistive technology is known to help students with ADHD, learning disabilities, and other conditions. One example is tech-based reading programs found online, in stores, or through apps.
Reading Programs For Kids With ADHD
Reading programs are a great tool for kids who need extra help learning. The right reading program can be a game-changer for kids with ADHD who thrive on stimulation and hands-on activities. Many online reading programs allow kids to progress at their own pace, which is a bonus. Try these reading programs for kids if you are looking for a fun way to boost your child's language arts skills.
Note: Does your child need motivation to complete homework and other important activities? Try Joon. Joon is a to-do app for kids with ADHD and related disorders. Geared toward kids ages 6-12+, Joon gamifies tasks and helps kids build routines.
How does it work?
Joon is suitable for children regardless of reading level. The app is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with more than 3.9k reviews. Even better, it's backed by child psychologists, teachers, and occupational therapists.
Click here to try Joon for free.
Clifford Interactive Storybooks
Do you remember Clifford the big red dog? Clifford is still going strong to this day. Now, free interactive storybooks featuring Clifford are available for kids on the PBS Kids website. With just a few clicks and no account needed, kids can select a story of their choice. As characters read aloud, kids get to create their own adventure along the way and interact with fun activities that keep them engaged in the story, like painting race cars.
Click here to go to the site and get started!
Cost:
Free
Starfall
Starfall is an excellent educational resource for kids and their families. The Starfall website is full of learning activities for students in preschool through kindergarten and 1st-3rd grade, including games, songs, and virtual stories that help teach kids reading skills.
Cost:
The activities on the Starfall website are free. However, parents can purchase other products and a home membership if they choose.
Phonics and Reading Excelerator
Phonics and Reading Excelerator is a program that helps kids improve their reading, grammar, spelling, and speech while playing fun games. A strong example of a program that lets students move at their own pace, with Phonics and Reading Excelerator, kids travel and explore in the game while progressively building everything from letter recognition to more advanced phonemic awareness skills.
Cost:
$14.94 on Amazon
Reader Rabbit: Learn to Read With Phonics
Reader Rabbit is a classic reading program that has been around for what is now decades. It is an early-reading program for different age groups, ranging from preschool-aged students to nine-year-olds. You can buy a physical copy of the software, or you can download Reader Rabbit: Learn to Read With Phonics onto your computer online.
Cost:
Dependant on retailer.
Raz-Kids
Raz-Kids is a reading program from Learning A-Z that offers over 2,000 entirely digital books and quizzes designed for independent practice in Kindergarten through 5th-grade students. The program offers interactive tools, quizzes, and leveled books, alongside other features. Kids with the program can also use the Kids A-Z mobile app, which offers leveled reading content for students on Apple, Google, and Amazon devices.
Cost:
$118/year
Strategies for Teaching Kids with ADHD to Read
On top of reading programs, parents can use various strategies to turn their child with reading difficulties into a reader. Use the following tips to reduce power struggles, aid listening, and help kids focus as you work on teaching reading skills.
Implement breaks
Regular breaks are useful for learning in general, but with ADHD, students may need more frequent breaks than their non-ADHD counterparts. Section stories into small chunks (e.g., "we'll just read these pages for now") or add frequent breaks to a child's reading routine. How frequently a child needs breaks might differ even among kids with ADHD; some take 3-minute breaks every 10 minutes, whereas others take slightly longer breaks every 20-25 minutes. Do what works for your child.
Find out how your child learns
Discovering your child's learning style can help you teach reading skills more effectively, as well as other subjects. Some teachers give learning style quizzes to students in school, though not always. Most people will resonate most with one of the following four learning styles:
- Bodily/kinesthetic: Bodily/kinesthetic learners learn best when moving around or engaging in hands-on activities.
- Auditory: This type of learner learns best from hearing information and instructions out loud (e.g., from a teacher talking at school).
- Visual. Visual learners learn best from pictures, videos, and other visual stimuli.
- Reading/writing: This type of learner learns best from reading or writing content.
When you know a child's learning style, you can use it to modify lessons to fit them. For example, you might make lessons more interactive for a child with a bodily/kinesthetic learning style.
Ask them questions
Many parents and teachers find it incredibly helpful to talk to children about what they're reading. While teaching reading skills, ask children conversational questions about the story or text to boost attentiveness. What emotions was the character experiencing? How would you comfort a friend feeling the same way? If the book doesn't include pictures, how do they imagine the character? Questions like this are ideal because they don't come off as a "quiz" but can help promote reading comprehension and listening.
Teach visualization techniques
Try practicing visualization with your child as they read. To do this, prompt your child to imagine pictures that align with the story. Often, when kids picture what they read, they retain information more effectively. You can also try techniques like mind mapping to help children connect main ideas, words, or something else you want to teach.
Stick to a reading routine
Sticking to a regular routine is important for building and solidifying reading skills. Base the reading routine on the unique needs of your child and family. What works for you, and what can your family stick to realistically? Depending on factors like your child's age, temperament, and where they're at in the learning process, a reading routine can include reading independently, being read to by a parent or caregiver, or a combination of both.
Make it fun
If a child dislikes reading, whether due to ADHD or Dyslexia, or for another reason, find a way to turn their reading routine into an activity they'll look forward to. This might look like creating a special space like a blanket fort to read in, offering tea and snacks, or letting kids hold stuffed animals or move around while you read to them. It's ideal to keep reading low-pressure so as to promote enjoyment.
Take turns
If your child is resistant to reading, offering to take turns reading aloud can be helpful. With older kids, this might look like parents reading one paragraph, kids reading the next, and so on. If your child is young or is just starting to learn to read, you might take turns reading words, sentences, or phrases.
Audio reading
While they're sometimes unfairly stigmatized, audiobooks can be incredibly helpful for kids who need support in learning how to read. A student may listen to an audiobook independently or while viewing the text version to promote enjoyment in reading and pick up on spelling, word pronunciation, and more.
Takeaway
Research suggests that people with ADHD are more likely to have trouble reading. This can have diverse explanations, such as ADHD symptoms and a higher prevalence of learning disabilities like Dyslexia. If you're looking for reading programs for ADHD, child-friendly options like those that feature online reading games and songs can be beneficial. Try this article's reading programs and strategies for kids with ADHD, reading disorders, or who may otherwise find reading difficult. Reading strategies such as taking frequent breaks, sticking to a routine, and taking turns reading aloud can help kids make progress.
About
Dr. Carrie Jackson, PhD
