How Structured Literacy Tutoring Helps Kids with ADHD
What Is ADHD?
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common brain-based condition affecting children—and often persisting into adulthood. It involves three key symptom groups:
Inattention: Difficulty staying focused, forgetfulness, trouble organizing tasks.
Hyperactivity: Excessive movement or restlessness disproportional to the setting.
Impulsivity: Acting without thinking, interrupting, difficulty waiting.
How Common Is ADHD?
About 11.4% of children and 6% of adults in the U.S. are reported to have ADHD. The unreported / undiagnosed cases may be higher.
ADHD is often first noticed when schoolwork or classroom behavior becomes challenging.
Boys are diagnosed more frequently—but girls are often under-diagnosed, as their symptoms may look different (usually more inattentive, less hyperactive).
To be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must:
Persist for at least six months
Show up in more than one setting (home, school, activities)
Begin before age 12
The three main presentations are:
Inattentive (sometimes called ADD)
Hyperactive/Impulsive
Combined
Untreated ADHD can affect academics, confidence, and relationships. Children may receive constant negative feedback, which can impact self-esteem and motivation.
Treatment & Support Options for ADHD
Medication – Stimulants or non-stimulants may improve focus and behavior when carefully monitored.
Behavioral therapy – Builds organization, self-control, and social skills.
Parent and teacher strategies – Consistency, structure, and positive reinforcement are essential.
Assistive tools – Timers, checklists, and graphic organizers can help with daily routines.
How Structured Literacy Tutoring Helps Kids with ADHD
Children with ADHD often benefit from 1:1, structured literacy instruction.
Here’s why:
Multisensory learning: Using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic methods keeps students engaged and helps strengthen focus.
Step-by-step routines: Clear, predictable lesson structures reduce overwhelm and build confidence.
Frequent review and practice: Repetition helps strengthen memory and reduce the impact of distractibility.
Personalized pacing: In a one-on-one setting, tutors can slow down or speed up depending on the child’s attention and energy.
Executive function support: Structured literacy naturally builds planning, organization, and self-monitoring skills—areas often impacted by ADHD.
With the right support, children with ADHD can make steady progress in reading, writing, and spelling, while also building the focus and confidence they need to thrive in school.
Many children with ADHD also struggle with reading, writing, or spelling, which can be signs of dyslexia or other learning differences. That’s why a comprehensive dyslexia assessment can be so valuable in identifying overlapping challenges and guiding the right support. At Lamorinda Reads, I use evidence-based approaches like the Orton-Gillingham method and the Slingerland Approach (based on OG) to help students strengthen literacy skills, improve focus, and build confidence.
