You wake up, pour a coffee, and stare at your “to-do” list.
One task feels too boring, another feels too complicated, and somewhere in your brain, there’s a little voice saying: “Do none of it and scroll instead.” 
If you’ve experienced the ADHD and dyslexia overlap, you know it can feel like a mental obstacle course. Research shows that 25–40% of people with dyslexia also have ADHD, and vice versa, making this combination far more common than most people think (Medical News Today).
Some days, the ADHD traits are the ones running the show, the impulsivity, the “oh look, something shiny!” attention style, the love of a new project, but the difficulty finishing it. Other days, it’s the dyslexic traits: the slower reading, the spelling challenges, the mental exhaustion from processing written information. And often? They team up.
“ADHD and dyslexia can overlap in ways that make life feel like a mental obstacle course… but they can also bring incredible strengths when you learn how to work with your brain instead of against it.”
The ADHD and Dyslexia Overlap No One Talks Enough About
Research suggests that around 30–50% of people with dyslexia also have ADHD, and vice versa. But having both isn’t just two separate conditions layered together. They can cross over in interesting (and sometimes frustrating) ways:
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Working memory struggles – remembering instructions, sequences, or where you put your keys.
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Processing speed differences – it can take longer to read, write, or organise information, especially under time pressure.
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Attention “flips” – sometimes hyperfocusing for hours, other times bouncing between tasks every few minutes.
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Time blindness – difficulty estimating how long something will take, often leading to last-minute rushes.
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Mental fatigue – brain burnout from constant overcompensation.
And because so much of life, school, work, even hobbies, is set up for neurotypical brains, we can end up feeling like we’re always playing catch-up.
Why It’s Not Just “Double the Challenge”
When ADHD and dyslexia traits meet, they can create unique patterns:
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The ADHD urge to go fast collides with the dyslexic need to go slower to process information.
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The dyslexic creativity in problem-solving paired with ADHD’s rapid-fire idea generation — great for brainstorming, tricky for finishing.
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The shared resilience from years of adapting, masking, and finding your workarounds.
And that’s important to remember, it’s not all struggle. Cross-trait neurodivergence often comes with:
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Innovative thinking — making unusual connections between ideas.
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Verbal strengths — storytelling, explaining complex ideas in simple terms.
- People skills — empathy, humour, ability to read a room.
I talk more about finding your strengths in Re-write Your Dyslexia Story.
“You’re not broken. You’re running a completely different operating system — one that was never designed to run in factory settings.”
5 Ways to Work With Cross-Trait ADHD & Dyslexia
1. Chunk and switch tasks intentionally
Instead of fighting the urge to switch tasks, build it into your day. Alternate between mentally heavy tasks and lighter, more enjoyable ones.
2. Externalise everything
Don’t rely on memory. Use sticky notes, whiteboards, phone reminders, or apps like Trello or Todoist.
3. Use “body-doubling” for momentum
Work alongside someone else (in person or virtually) to keep yourself accountable. This works wonders for both ADHD and dyslexia fatigue.
4. Voice-first, text-later
If writing feels heavy, try speaking your thoughts into a voice recorder or dictation app first, then tidy it up later.
5. Notice your overlap strengths
Each week, write down one situation where your ADHD and dyslexia traits helped. If you need help building this into a daily habit, you might like my post on How to Create New Habits and be More Productive.
The Takeaway
Having ADHD and dyslexia traits together can feel like trying to drive a car with one foot on the accelerator and one on the brake. But with self-awareness, minor adjustments, and the right tools, that same car can take you places neurotypical brains wouldn’t think to go.
And remember, you don’t have to fit into one box. Your brain was built to colour outside the lines.
If you’d like more tailored strategies for managing the ADHD and dyslexia overlap, check out my coaching services. I work with neurodivergent adults and children to help them thrive.
Sabine,
The Dyslexia Coach