Dyslexia and ADHD: Understanding the Overlap

While dyslexia and ADHD are different in how they show up, they can often feel surprisingly similar—especially when it comes to executive functioning. Dyslexia is commonly thought of as just a reading, language processing or writing challenge, but it often goes far beyond that. Many people with dyslexia also experience difficulties with memory, organization, time management, and sustaining focus—areas that are also central to ADHD. This can lead to similar experiences of feeling disorganized, forgetful, scattered, or overwhelmed by tasks that others seem to handle with ease.

Because of these overlaps, many people with dyslexia wonder if they might also have ADHD—or they’ve been misdiagnosed, misunderstood, or missed altogether. What matters most isn’t the perfect label, but finding a framework that helps you understand yourself with more compassion. Whether you identify with one diagnosis, both, or are still figuring it out, your experiences are valid. The journey to finding what fits you best is not about fixing yourself—it’s about finding language that affirms who you are, how your brain works, and how you can live with more self-acceptance and support.

This is such an echo for my own story and finding out how my brain is wired and how I can support myself and receive support from others really changed how I thought about myself and how I was able to interact with others. I was able to advocate in ways I didn't know how to, I have tools now to support myself, and I know what doesnt work (which can be equally as helpful). 

What this means to me is that as your therapist, I will work as a collaborator to help you better understand and accept you with the knowledge that you know you best. You're not alone in that search. I’m here to walk with you as you reconnect with your story, your strengths, and your unique way of moving through the world.