ADHD vs Learning Disabilities: Key Differences Every Parent Should Know
Primary keyword: adhd-vs-learning-disabilities If your child is struggling at school, you may have asked, “Is it ADHD or a learning disability?” The two adhd-vs-learning-disabilities conditions often look alike—restlessness, missed instructions, poor grades—yet they require very different supports. Cadabam’s CDC has guided thousands of families through this exact question. Below you’ll find a parent-friendly breakdown of the science, the testing, and the next steps.
1. Quick Snapshot: ADHD vs Learning Disabilities
What Is ADHD?
- A neuro-developmental condition centered on inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
- Symptoms must be present in two or more settings (e.g., home and school).
- Affects roughly 5–7% of school-going children in India.
What Is a Learning Disability?
- A specific neurological processing deficit that impairs reading (dyslexia), math (dyscalculia), or writing (dysgraphia).
- Intelligence is average or above; the difficulty lies in how information is received, processed, or expressed.
- Prevalence is similar—about 5–10%.
Why Parents & Teachers Get Them Confused
- Both lead to falling grades and frustration.
- A child with dyslexia may look inattentive while decoding text.
- A child with ADHD may miss instructions and appear to have a reading problem.
2. Overlapping Signs That Fuel the Confusion
Attention Struggles in Both Conditions
- ADHD: Cannot sustain attention on any task.
- LD: Avoids tasks that require the weak skill area, creating the illusion of inattention.
Academic Underachievement
- ADHD: Under-performs because work is unfinished or rushed.
- LD: Under-performs despite adequate time and effort.
Social & Emotional Fallout
- Both groups are at risk for low self-esteem, but:
- ADHD: Impulsivity leads to peer conflicts.
- LD: Embarrassment about reading aloud leads to social withdrawal.
3. Key Diagnostic Differences
Testing Methods Used at Cadabam’s CDC
- Conners 4 rating scales (ADHD-specific).
- WISC-V cognitive battery.
- WIAT-III or KTEA-3 academic achievement tests.
- Executive-function tests (e.g., NEPSY-II).
Cognitive Profiles
| Skill Area | ADHD | Learning Disability |
|---|---|---|
| Working Memory | Low | Variable |
| Processing Speed | Low | Often low only in print tasks |
| Phonemic Awareness | Typical | Impaired (in dyslexia) |
When Both ADHD & LD Co-Exist
- 30–50% of children with ADHD also have an LD.
- Requires dual-track intervention: stimulant medication plus specialized instruction.
4. Treatment Options & School Support
Behavioral Therapy for ADHD
- Parent-Management Training (PMT)
- CBT for older children
- Daily behavior report cards
Specialized Instruction for LD
- Orton-Gillingham for dyslexia
- Multisensory math for dyscalculia
- Assistive tech: text-to-speech, speech-to-text
How Cadabam’s CDC Integrates Both
- One-roof model: Psychiatrist, psychologist, special educator, and speech therapist meet weekly.
- School liaison: We conduct teacher-training workshops so strategies are consistent at school and home.
5. Success Stories from Cadabam’s CDC Community
Case Study 1: ADHD Initially Mistaken for Dyslexia
- Age: 8 years
- Challenge: Reading 2 years below grade level.
- Process: Full assessment revealed intact phonics skills but severe inattention.
- Plan: Low-dose stimulant plus reading fluency drills.
- Outcome: Reading grade level achieved in 9 months.
Case Study 2: Dual Diagnosis Managed Holistically
- Age: 12 years
- Challenge: Math scores at 3rd-grade level despite average IQ; constant fidgeting.
- Diagnosis: ADHD + dyscalculia.
- Plan: Medication for ADHD, multisensory math twice weekly, IEP with extra time and calculator.
- Outcome: Passed 7th-grade math independently.