From our experience, reading problems associated with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) are qualitatively different from the reading difficulties seen clinically when there is brain impairment. Listening to an ADD child or adult read, we typically see symptoms of substituting words or parts of words. The neglect of small words such as: and, so, but, not, of, for, is another common phenomenon.

A child with ADD may be a natural reader, picking up decoding, spelling rules and language structure naturally. However, ADD can still undermine reading, as reading comprehension requires strong selective attention skills. Is It ADD? To differentiate ADHD and reading problems, look at reading fluency, reading speed.