Is ADHD a Learning Disability?

You may have heard that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a learning disability. It’s true that ADHD makes some aspects of learning more challenging. But it affects the brain differently than learning disabilities like dyslexia and auditory processing disorder.

Below you’ll find out more about what ADHD is, how it affects learning, and tips to help you succeed in school or at work if you have ADHD. 

Is ADHD a learning disability? 

ADHD is considered a neurodevelopmental disability, not a learning disability. It affects the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain that helps control your thoughts and behaviors. In someone with ADHD, the prefrontal cortex works differently than someone without ADHD. This leads to symptoms that can make learning in a neurotypical setting more challenging. 

Learning disabilities are disorders that affect your ability to develop skills in the same way as others who don’t have a learning disability. They can impact areas such as:

• Reading

• Writing

• Math

• Oral language (listening and speaking)

People with dyslexia, for example, struggle to match the letters on a page with their sounds. This makes it difficult to learn how to read and spell.

Even though ADHD is not considered a learning disability, the Americans with Disabilities Act recognizes it as a developmental disability. That means people with ADHD can ask for disability accommodations at school and in the workplace such as more time to finish tests and projects.

How can ADHD affect learning?

Learning something new can be a challenge for people with ADHD. This is especially true if you’re trying to learn in an environment that doesn’t support your learning needs or if you’re studying a subject you’re not that interested in. 

That’s because common symptoms of ADHD can include: 

• Trouble paying attention 

• Acting impulsively

• Being overly active and energetic  

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These symptoms can create problems for students in the classroom and adults in the workplace. 

ADHD may cause you to:

• Daydream during class instead of focusing on instruction

• Talk excessively instead of listening to the teacher

• Be unable to concentrate during a test

• Avoid homework or projects that require sustained attention

• Be unable to sit still for long periods of study or work

• Struggle to organize tasks into manageable chunks

Quiz: Could my child have ADHD?

Signs that ADHD is affecting your ability to learn

Some signs that ADHD is interfering with your performance in school or that the learning environment you’re in doesn’t support neurodiverse students include:

• Receiving poor grades

• Scoring lower on math and reading on standardized tests

• Repeating a grade level 

• Getting higher rates of detention or being kicked out of school

• Failing to graduate high school or attend college

But even though they can struggle, students with ADHD are capable of doing well in school, especially in an educational environment that supports and accommodates their learning needs.

How to manage ADHD when processing and learning new information

Learning something new can be hard for anyone. But for someone with ADHD, it can be even harder. That’s where coping tips can help. 

During class 

Here’s how you can increase your ability to focus and learn while you’re in class:

• Sit in the front of the class to help you focus on the teacher and limit distractions.

• Talk to your teacher about needing more time or breaks during tests.

• Ask your teacher if you can take tests in a room by yourself to reduce distractions.

During homework 

When it’s time to focus on your schoolwork, you can create an environment to make it easier to focus. Here’s how:

• Study in quiet spaces and turn off electronics.

• Break up assignments into smaller, manageable chunks.

• Take short exercise breaks during long study sessions.

• Set timers on your phone to help you refocus if your mind tends to wander.

• Remove distractions from your workspace.

• Study with a friend or work with a colleague who can help you stay focused.

• If you’re on ADHD medication, plan to study when your medication is most effective.

• See if study groups work for you.

Organization tips 

Getting and staying organized may also help your learning process when you have ADHD. Try out the following tips:

• Set important dates with project deadlines and test reminders in a calendar app.

• Create to-do lists or checklists and check regularly to make sure you’re on track.

• Use organizational tools like separate notebooks or binders with tabbed dividers.

Accommodations

If ADHD impacts your ability to excel in your school or work environment, you can ask for accommodations. Disability accommodations allow you to adapt your environment to better meet your learning needs. For example, accommodations could include the ability to take tests in a separate room or to have more time to complete assignments.

Federal and state laws protect people with disabilities who need these accommodations to succeed. 

ADHD accommodations for K-12 students

For K-12 students, their right to accommodations is protected by a law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). To request accommodations through IDEA, work with your school’s counseling center. They can help you create an individualized education program (IEP).

ADHD accommodations at college

To ask for disability accommodations at college, see if your campus has a disability resource center. That’s often the best place to start the process of requesting accommodations. Each school will likely have a different process and require different paperwork. You can also ask your academic advisor where to start. 

ADHD accommodations at work

In work settings, your right to request accommodations is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request ADHD accommodations at work, check with your HR department on how to ask. You will have to disclose your disability to request accommodations, and employers are only required to grant “reasonable accommodations.” 

How to get tested for ADHD

If you think ADHD may be impacting your school work but you don’t have a diagnosis, it may be worth getting tested. Not only will this help you understand yourself better, but it can also help you request accommodations. 

To get tested, look for a healthcare provider who is qualified to test for ADHD. This usually includes: 

• Psychologists

• Psychiatrists

• Pediatricians

• Primary care physicians

To diagnose ADHD, a provider will ask a series of questions to learn more about your symptoms and experiences. They will compare your answers with the criteria for ADHD in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)” to determine if you have ADHD.

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Written by:

Ana Gascon

Ana Gascon has over 15 years of writing and editing experience, with 8 years in health and medical content work. She is a content creator who focuses on acute conditions, chronic diseases, mental health challenges, and health equity.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

India B. Gomez, PhD

India B. Gomez, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with a certificate in Latin American Family Therapy. She completed her doctoral education at the California School of Professional Psychology/Alliant International University.

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