Why ADHD Kids Struggle with Reading and Writing

Why ADHD Kids Struggle with Reading and Writing

From The ADHD Parenting Podcast by The ADHD Parenting Podcast

April 29, 2026 · 25 min · Episode 50

About this episode

Ryan and Mike discuss the challenges ADHD children face with reading and writing, focusing on working memory issues and providing strategies for support.

In this episode, Ryan and Mike explore the real reason children with ADHD struggle with reading comprehension and written expression—working memory issues, not laziness or oppositional behavior. They explain the role of nonverbal working memory (mental movies) and verbal working memory (inner voice) , share key research findings, and offer practical strategies to support children at home and school. Find Mike @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.grownowadhd.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ & on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Ryan @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.adhddude.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ & on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube⁠⁠⁠ {{chapters}} [00:00:00] Start [01:38] The real problem is working memory, not laziness [06:14] The mental movie that never gets made (nonverbal working memory) [13:36] The inner voice goes quiet during writing (verbal working memory) [17:29] The blank page: oppositional behavior or working memory failure? [20:06] What actually helps: make external what other kids do internally [23:00] Closing takeaways Episode 56 Citations: Gray, C., Rogers, M., London, K., et al. (2016). Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and reading disability: A review of the efficacy of medication treatments. Frontiers in…

People in this episode

Hosts: Ryan, Mike

Topics covered

  • ADHD
  • reading comprehension
  • writing skills
  • working memory
  • educational strategies

Keywords

  • ADHD
  • reading
  • writing
  • working memory
  • children
  • education
  • strategies

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: www.grownowadhd.com, www.adhddude.com, IG, Youtube

Books & works: Frontiers in Psychology, Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

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