Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsADHD and Writing SkillsSignsCommon ChallengesHelpful Writing Strategies

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Table of Contents

ADHD and Writing Skills

Signs

Common Challenges

Helpful Writing Strategies

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Children with ADHD are more likely to develop writing problems than children without ADHD, regardless of gender. Among both boys and girls with ADHD who also have a reading disability, however, girls have an even higher chance of developing a written language disorder, creating even morechallenges for girlsin the classroom.

At a GlanceADHD is a form of neurodivergence that can make writing more challenging for some students. ADHD traits can affect a student’s ability to concentrate, meet deadlines, stay on task, and stay organized, impacting their writing skills. Keep reading to learn more about how ADHD can affect children’s writing skills—and how appropriate accommodations and support can help these students succeed.

At a Glance

ADHD is a form of neurodivergence that can make writing more challenging for some students. ADHD traits can affect a student’s ability to concentrate, meet deadlines, stay on task, and stay organized, impacting their writing skills. Keep reading to learn more about how ADHD can affect children’s writing skills—and how appropriate accommodations and support can help these students succeed.

ADHD Can Impact Skills Important for Writing

The technique of expressing oneself through writing is quite a complex, multi-step process. It requires integrating several skills, including:

As students age and move into high school andcollege, the expectations around writing become even more demanding. Essays and reports that require students to communicate what they know on paper factor more prominently into the curriculum.

It is no wonder that writing can create such anxiety in students with ADHD. Simply starting the process and getting ideas and thoughts out of their head in an organized manner and down on paper can feel like an uphill battle.

This can create problems for students with ADHD since research has found that writing abilities longitudinally predict the academic outcomes of kids with this form ofneurodivergence.

Signs of Writing Problems in Kids With ADHD

Some of the signs that a student might be struggling with their writing due to ADHD characteristics include:

ADHD Challenges That May Lead to Writing Difficulties

Why is it so tough for students with ADHD to produce well-crafted, thoughtful, carefully edited writing? Here are nine of the top reasons:

Research indicates that it is less the overt behavioral traits (like restlessness and impulsivity) that influence writing problems in kids with ADHD. Instead, it is typically struggles withexecutive functions(such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, and attentional control) that play the most significant role in causing writing problems for kids with ADHD.

Writing Strategies for Kids With ADHD

Students with ADHD can work on strategies to improve writing skills that address common learning problems that can interfere with written language expression. Appropriateaccommodationsand support can help students with ADHD manage the challenges that might affect their writing abilities. Some strategies that can help include:

Giving Clear Instructions

Students with ADHD benefit from having concise instructions that clearly outline the steps to follow in an assignment. Breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks can also help.

Help With Organization

Organizational strategies like outlining can help. Some people may find index cards breaking down writing tasks into small steps helpful, but students with ADHD often get bogged down if they have to deal with many smaller tasks. In such instances, setting a timer and devoting a specific block of time to writing can be a great way to make progress on writing tasks without getting overwhelmed.

Provide Extra Time

Because students with ADHD may take longer with writing assignments, providing extra time to complete these tasks can be a helpful accommodation that helps ensure academic sucess. This can give kids the time they need to produce quality work and finish their assignments.

Extra time, clear instructions, and help with organization can help kids with ADHD managing writing assignments more easily. However, it is important to remember that each kid is different. Experimenting with different methods and supports can help each child figure out what works best for them.

Keep in Mind

It is important to remember that while students with ADHD might struggle with writing skills, having the right accommodations and support can help them succeed in academic settings. Finding ways to support kids in overcoming their writing challenges can help them manage their ADHD effectively, foster more positive academic self-esteem, and strengthen their writing skills.

7 Tips for College Students With ADHD

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Molitor SJ, Langberg JM, Evans SW.The written expression abilities of adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Res Dev Disabil. 2016;51-52:49-59. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2016.01.005Molitor SJ, Langberg JM, Bourchtein E, Eddy LD, Dvorsky MR, Evans SW.Writing abilities longitudinally predict academic outcomes of adolescents with ADHD.Sch Psychol Q. 2016;31(3):393-404. doi:10.1037/spq0000143Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ADHD in the classroom: Helping children succeed in school.Mokobane M, Pillay BJ, Meyer A.Fine motor deficits and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in primary school children.S Afr J Psychiatr. 2019;25:1232. doi:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v25i0.1232Soto EF, Irwin LN, Chan ESM, Spiegel JA, Kofler MJ.Executive functions and writing skills in children with and without ADHD.Neuropsychology. 2021;35(8):792-808. doi:10.1037/neu0000769

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Molitor SJ, Langberg JM, Evans SW.The written expression abilities of adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Res Dev Disabil. 2016;51-52:49-59. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2016.01.005Molitor SJ, Langberg JM, Bourchtein E, Eddy LD, Dvorsky MR, Evans SW.Writing abilities longitudinally predict academic outcomes of adolescents with ADHD.Sch Psychol Q. 2016;31(3):393-404. doi:10.1037/spq0000143Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ADHD in the classroom: Helping children succeed in school.Mokobane M, Pillay BJ, Meyer A.Fine motor deficits and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in primary school children.S Afr J Psychiatr. 2019;25:1232. doi:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v25i0.1232Soto EF, Irwin LN, Chan ESM, Spiegel JA, Kofler MJ.Executive functions and writing skills in children with and without ADHD.Neuropsychology. 2021;35(8):792-808. doi:10.1037/neu0000769

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Molitor SJ, Langberg JM, Evans SW.The written expression abilities of adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Res Dev Disabil. 2016;51-52:49-59. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2016.01.005Molitor SJ, Langberg JM, Bourchtein E, Eddy LD, Dvorsky MR, Evans SW.Writing abilities longitudinally predict academic outcomes of adolescents with ADHD.Sch Psychol Q. 2016;31(3):393-404. doi:10.1037/spq0000143Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ADHD in the classroom: Helping children succeed in school.Mokobane M, Pillay BJ, Meyer A.Fine motor deficits and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in primary school children.S Afr J Psychiatr. 2019;25:1232. doi:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v25i0.1232Soto EF, Irwin LN, Chan ESM, Spiegel JA, Kofler MJ.Executive functions and writing skills in children with and without ADHD.Neuropsychology. 2021;35(8):792-808. doi:10.1037/neu0000769

Molitor SJ, Langberg JM, Evans SW.The written expression abilities of adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Res Dev Disabil. 2016;51-52:49-59. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2016.01.005

Molitor SJ, Langberg JM, Bourchtein E, Eddy LD, Dvorsky MR, Evans SW.Writing abilities longitudinally predict academic outcomes of adolescents with ADHD.Sch Psychol Q. 2016;31(3):393-404. doi:10.1037/spq0000143

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ADHD in the classroom: Helping children succeed in school.

Mokobane M, Pillay BJ, Meyer A.Fine motor deficits and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in primary school children.S Afr J Psychiatr. 2019;25:1232. doi:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v25i0.1232

Soto EF, Irwin LN, Chan ESM, Spiegel JA, Kofler MJ.Executive functions and writing skills in children with and without ADHD.Neuropsychology. 2021;35(8):792-808. doi:10.1037/neu0000769

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