I'm going to share a little background before giving you 10 practical tips on how to read when you have ADHD. But feel free to skip straight to the tips, if you want to. There is also a video version of this blog available but please note that the blog has helpful links to suggested videos and apps: 

Common Misconceptions About ADHD And Learning

First of all, ADHD is a misnomer. People with “attention deficit” often have plenty of - if not a surplus - of attention for what they are interested in.

Secondly, I would question the “disorder” part of the acronym. Increasingly, it is becoming recognised that people with “ADHD” may not necessarily suffer from a “disorder” but have a “differently ordered” brain (what is known as “neurodiversity”).

For more on neurodiversity why not check out my introductory blog here: Neurodiversity and ADHD: Medical, Social & Beyond

Experts like Dr. Ed Hallowell have renamed ADHD “VAST”- Variable Attention Stimulus Trait - which is a more accurate, and less derogatory sounding term, avoiding the words “disorder” and “deficit.”[1]

Thirdly, we also need to remember that whilst someone with ADHD or VAST, can indeed also have a LD (Learning Disorder), ADHD is technically not a LD. So that means reading will not necessarily be an issue. On the other hand, it could be an LD, or one may have dyslexia, which will require consultation with the appropriate health expert in that field.

Finally, people with ADHD tend to be of normal to above average in intelligence. So never underestimate your potential when you have a VAST brain! You may even be struggling with how to read when you have ADHD not because you can't read, but because you are wired to read faster than normal... 

Now we've cleared that up, here are 10 tips to help you read when you have ADHD...

1. Do What Works Best For YOU, Not What's Expected Of You. This is important to keep in mind as I share the rest of these tips and strategies and tools to help you master how to read when you have ADHD. When you have ADHD, don't expect to read the same way as those who don't have ADHD. And neither should you expect to read the same way as those who do have ADHD. We are all different. So be like a detective! Try it and see! Keep what works for you and disregard the rest but also remember to be flexible with yourself. Over time our strategies and habits may need to change accordingly, or we find even more efficient ways with more practise...

2. Read Books That Interest You. When you have ADHD it tends to be a case of attention is either “on or off” - unless, that is, you find ways to regulate yourself. So preferably find books that you really enjoy. I know this sounds kind of obvious, but the point is – don't beat yourself up. Sometimes it's not you – it's just the book isn't written for a brain like yours! That said, we sometimes need to read things we don't particularly enjoy, so read on for more tips on how to read when you have ADHD... and if you're a student struggling to learn and revise, you really need to check out my article on accelerated learning here: 10 Study Strategies for ADHD Success 

3. Read More Than One Book At A Time. Again, I probably don't need to tell you this, as reading more than one book at a time – to keep one's interest going – is a common behaviour for those who have ADHD. For some it can work, such as by having one book going in a different category, such as a novel (for leisure), and a non-fiction (for work or study), and so on. However, whilst this can be helpful for some, to keep you motivated, it can also backfire...

4. Train Your Brain To Focus On ONE Thing At A Time. I used to practise reading multiple books at the same time for most of my life, as well as working on multiple activities in my business for short periods of time. I used to, like many with ADHD, think of myself as a “multitasker.” In reality, this was more of a short-term coping mechanism for ADHD which made things worse! I was jumping from one thing to another, like juggling plates, which kept me stimulated – but also led to increased splitting of attention and feeling like I was reading or working on a “million things” and never getting anywhere particularly fast. Today, I am always applying the philosophy of “less is more” - I prefer to focus on one thing at a time, retrain my brain to stick with it, and enjoy the satisfaction of completion. How to do this? Again, think less is more, and apply the next step - breaking down your reading time...

5. Take Regular Breaks. When you have ADHD, especially when engaging an activity that is highly demanding or which you don't find particularly interesting, regular breaks are needed to stay at your optimum performance. Practise the “pomodoro technique” - 20 minutes reading, 5 minutes break doing something completely unrelated (especially creative or physical activities such as stretching, exercise, juggling, doodling, or a quick walk). Do this like clockwork and stick to the alarm! If you struggle with 20 minutes, then reduce it by 5 minutes until you find what works for you or your child. Just remember to stick to the same reading time followed by a 5 minutes only break. There are various Pomodoro apps you could use for apple or android or on your desktop to keep you on track. You may also be interested in my videos regarding the advantages of regular breaks in pomodoro fashion:

6. Move Or Stand When Reading. When you have ADHD, you need to do things your way. People with ADHD are renowned for fidgeting, but it actually helps them to focus. So why not listen to audiobooks which can be listened to whilst walking, or read a paper book whilst pacing. Even reading whilst standing can help because your body is still burning more calories that way and keeping you more alert.

7. Avoid Distraction. One of the common reasons we struggle with reading is distraction. So opt for a good old fashioned book rather than e-books, so that you can avoid the distraction that comes from using an electronic device. Some people with ADHD need a quiet environment and focus best in silence, or you may benefit from music which has no words, conducive to calm focus, or perhaps by playing brown or white noise. Over-ear headphones are helpful in this regard, and noise-cancelling even better. I highly recommend an app called brain.fm which produces functional music designed by neuroscientists for the purpose of focus, learning and reading. You can save 20% by using my promo code ADDvantageHypnotherapy by clicking here: https://www.brain.fm?via=addvantagehypnotherapy       

8. Read Aloud, Close Your Eyes, Or Doodle! If you struggle with retention of what you're reading, you may benefit from reading aloud. When you hear your own voice saying the words aloud, it can help for the information to “sink in” and be remembered more effectively by a process called “dual encoding.” This means when we use multiple senses we increase learning and recall. ...Similarly, doodling whilst listening to audiobooks, can also help some with ADHD not only to focus but also absorb what they are reading. I have also come across some children and adults with ADHD who find that closing their eyes helps them to absorb and retain what they're reading, so this in tandem with an audiobook may be an effective strategy.

9. Read Faster! That's right – some people with ADHD have such high-powered brains, or a need for stimulation, that they find it easier to read by going faster. This may be why many with ADHD watch YouTube videos at double the speed. So why not do the same with reading? I know, because you're already struggling. It seems counter-intuitive at first, but it can really work.... Remember when you were learning to read at school and you used your finger or a pencil? Well, it turns out that using a pencil can easily double your reading speed. This is because our eyes are designed to track movement. When using a pencil it acts as an “external kinetic driver”, which means it's easier to make your eyes move using the pencil than it is to mentally try and force them to follow stationery text. I learned this from an instructional book on “Speed Reading” by Tony Buzan, and by applying a few other simple tips I managed to go from 400WPM to 2400+, and it actually became easier to focus and remember at that speed! You can check out the book here: https://tinyurl.com/2s3w8ets  which will help you learn how to read when you have ADHD.

Bonus Tip #10: Hypnosis For Reading

Now as a hypnotherapist who specialises in coaching people with ADHD, I'm probably biased about the power of hypnosis. But seriously now, did you know that hypnosis can help you learn how to read when you have ADHD. Through hypnosis we can change the way we think about and relate to an activity, such as reading. It can even help us to get into what is known as the accelerated learning or flow state, when you are super focused and yet relaxed. If you want to run yourself through a free hypnotic coaching session which you can use to focus on the goal of learning how to read when you have ADHD, why not check out my free hypnotic coaching video here: (118) Hypnotic Goal Setting Part 2 - YouTube 

Conclusion: Be The Unique Reader That You Were Destined To Be...

People with ADHD may struggle with reading but are often perfectly capable of doing so, just perhaps not in the way we might suppose. By making various accommodations or by implementing various strategies, we can surprise ourselves at what we're capable of.

It's important to understand what's really going on for you. If it's your child with ADHD, be sure to ask them what exactly they're struggling with, what works, what doesn't, to establish why they are challenged by reading. It's important to remember that there is no one size fits all, and what works for one may not work for another. Happy reading...

Do You Need Help With ADHD? Reading this article may give you some hope, but the reality is that thriving with ADHD is no easy task! Which is why I am available if you need coaching to support you to overcome your challenges and fulfil more of your potential. If you're interested in a free "ADHD Hypnosis Discovery Session" where we can discuss your needs please go to the link here: Book Now | ADDvantage Hypnotherapy | Bristol

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