How ADHD Affects Your Teen’s Reading and What You Can Do About It

teenager reading book for school

Reading is a fundamental skill—the kind we all expect our teens to master with ease. But for those with ADHD, reading can feel like climbing a never-ending mountain. Why? ADHD and reading are intertwined in ways that make this seemingly simple task much more complex. But don’t worry, there are ways to help. 

This blog dives into how ADHD affects your teen’s reading abilities, what challenges to watch for, and practical strategies (plus a game-changing app) to support them. 

The Science Behind ADHD and Reading

To understand how ADHD impacts reading, we need to look at the brain. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is linked to reduced activity in areas of the brain that control focus, working memory, and impulse control. Reading requires sustained attention, memory recall, and cognitive processing—all of which can be challenging with ADHD. 

For example, studies show that teens with ADHD often struggle to engage the parts of the brain that process and organize information (hello, prefrontal cortex!). Instead, they may rely on other areas that don’t optimize their comprehension or retention, making reading a tougher task than it is for their peers—and making ADHD and reading disorders a common pairing.

What Reading Issues Might Look Like in Teens with ADHD 

If your teen struggles with ADHD, some reading challenges might already be familiar. Here are a few signs to keep an eye out for:

  • Taking longer to finish reading assignments: They might lose focus, reread the same lines over and over, or get distracted easily, dragging a 15-minute task into an hour-long ordeal. 
  • Skipping lines or paragraphs: It’s not intentional—sometimes the words on the page just don’t hold their attention. 
  • Forgetting what they read minutes later: Retention can be a huge struggle. They might read three chapters and not remember a single key detail. 
  • Avoiding reading altogether: Especially when it comes to school-related texts, your teen might feel frustrated or overwhelmed and choose to avoid it. 
  • Struggling with longer texts: When faced with dense texts, they might feel defeated before they even start. 
  • Difficulty summarizing or discussing what they’ve read: Even if they do read, relaying the information in a clear, organized way can be challenging. 

These challenges don’t reflect a lack of intelligence or effort. They’re simply the byproducts of what happens when ADHD and reading collide—though of course, not all people who experience these challenges necessarily have ADHD. 

How to Help Your Teen Read Better 

Fortunately, there are ADHD reading strategies and tools to overcome these struggles and help your teen succeed. Here’s how you can start making a difference:

1. Break It Down into Bite-Sized Chunks 

Encourage your teen to tackle their reading assignment in short bursts—say, 15–20 minutes at a time, followed by a quick break. This avoids burnout and helps them stay focused. 

2. Explore Fun, Engaging Reads 

Not all reading has to come from a textbook! Offer engaging materials, like graphic novels, articles about their interests, or exciting fiction, to make reading less of a chore and more of a joy. Once their brain is used to processing information in written form, it becomes easier to tackle longer or denser texts. 

3. Encourage Active Engagement 

Teach your teen to highlight key ideas, write notes in the margins, or even visualize what they’re reading with doodles. These techniques stimulate active learning and improve retention. 

4. Choose Tools Designed for ADHD and Reading Support 

This is where Infinite Mind comes in. Infinite Mind’s brain exercises are designed to help strengthen cognitive skills crucial for reading. Our app doesn’t just improve reading speed; it also tackles comprehension and focus issues that ADHD teens often face. Just 7 minutes a day can make a measurable difference for teens, and for adults too!

5. Create a Distraction-Free Zone 

Help your teen find a quiet, organized space for reading. Turn off the TV, silence their phone, and set the stage for better concentration. 

6. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection 

Reading may never become your teen’s favorite pastime, and that’s okay. Celebrate small wins—whether it’s finishing a chapter without frustration or remembering key details a week later. A positive attitude can work wonders. 

Your Teen’s Reading Journey Begins Here 

ADHD and reading don’t have to be on opposite sides of the spectrum. With the right ADHD reading strategies, tools, and mindset, you can empower your teen to approach reading with greater confidence—and maybe even enjoy it. 

Take the first step today. Download the Infinite Mind app and discover how it can help rewire your teen’s brain for better reading skills. Because every teen deserves to read with confidence. Try Infinite Mind now. 

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