ADHD and Learning Disorders: Why They Overlap—and Why Psychological and Educational Evaluation Matters

When it's more than “just ADHD”

When parents bring their child in for an ADHD evaluation, they’re often surprised to learn about a second layer: a learning disorder. Studies suggest that nearly half of kids with ADHD also have a co-occurring learning disorder, making school challenges more complex than they first appear.

This overlap is crucial to understand—because without testing, many children are misdiagnosed or receive incomplete support.

How ADHD and learning disorders look alike

ADHD and learning disorders share many surface symptoms, which is why they’re so often confused. For example:

• A child with ADHD may rush through math homework, while a child with dyscalculia may truly struggle with number concepts.

• A child with ADHD may lose focus while reading, while a child with dyslexia may avoid reading because decoding words feels impossible.

• Both may procrastinate, melt down during homework, or feel “dumb,” but for very different reasons.

Without a thorough evaluation, it’s easy to assume ADHD alone explains everything—when in fact, a learning disorder may be at play too.

The neurological connection

Both ADHD and learning disorders are considered neurodevelopmental disorders, rooted in differences in how the brain processes information. ADHD often involves the frontal lobes (attention, planning, impulse control), while learning disorders involve regions specialized for reading, writing, or math.

When both conditions occur together, the impact can multiply: attention difficulties make it harder to compensate for learning gaps, while academic frustrations worsen distractibility.

Why comprehensive educational and psychological evaluations are essential

An ADHD screening alone cannot identify learning disorders. That’s why comprehensive evaluations at Restore Psychology look at both attention and academics. We assess:

• Cognitive functioning (how the brain processes and retains information)

• Academic achievement (to pinpoint reading, writing, or math weaknesses)

• Executive functioning (planning, organization, task initiation)

• Emotional well-being (since shame, anxiety, and low self-esteem often co-occur)

This allows us to create a full profile of your child’s strengths and challenges—so interventions are targeted and effective.

The real cost of missed diagnoses

When a learning disorder goes undetected in a child with ADHD:

• Academic struggles may be blamed entirely on “lack of focus.”

• Medication alone may not improve performance, leading to frustration.

• Teachers may misunderstand the child’s needs, assuming poor effort instead of real challenges.

• The child may lose confidence, believing, “Even with ADHD treatment, I still can’t do this.”

By identifying both ADHD and learning disorders, we can break this cycle and provide clarity that changes outcomes.

Real change for real kids

Parents who pursue evaluations often describe the transformation:

• Children finally understand why they struggle.

• Schools provide accommodations that make learning achievable.

• Families stop fighting over homework and start working together with a plan.

• Children’s self-worth rebounds as they see progress.

Psychological and educational testing that makes the difference

At Restore Psychology, we provide comprehensive evaluations for ADHD and learning disorders—because these conditions so often overlap.

These educational evaluations are private pay only because insurance doesn't cover "non-medical" conditions  such as learning disorders , but the depth and clarity they provide are unmatched. Families leave with a roadmap for support, accommodations, and treatment that lasts for years.

Schedule a comprehensive ADHD and learning disorder evaluation today by filling out the form below to give your child the clarity, confidence, and tools they need to thrive.