Tips For Reading With ADHD

By Emily Black, Senior Contributor

If you’re an adult struggling with an attention disorder, you may feel quite alone.

Well, I promise you are not. In fact, you are part of the 4% to 5% of U.S. adults who have ADD or ADHD. Unfortunately, very few people get a proper diagnosis or treatment and are left to manage their symptoms unaccompanied. This can be very frustrating, and at points, it can seem impossible. 

As an adult diagnosed with ADHD, I know the feeling of trying to keep your head above water. If you have adult ADHD like me, you may find it hard to concentrate, remember information, stay organized, follow directions, etc. 

This can cause turbulence at work, in school, in our personal lives, and in our relationships. Through trial and error, I was determined to adapt and continue to read and write effectively for both work and pleasure. In this article, I’ll share the tips and tricks that have helped me maintain focus, better comprehend material, and derail intrusive thoughts. 

I love reading, but sometimes it feels impossible……..

Do you ever find yourself rereading the same paragraph over and over and obtaining nothing? I know I’ve been there. It’s how our brains are wired. People with ADHD have the tendency to lose interest, miss important information, and become easily distracted. Reading tasks can feel like they’re never-ending. And, even when we finish the passage, we can completely forget the main point. Whether it’s for school, work, or pleasure, staying focused on a page can seem daunting. 

So here are some strategies that eased my busy mind and helped me stay focus on the words in front of me:

Use a pen or highlighter

I know this is a sin for some book lovers, but, marking up my pages has really helped me focus. Keeping my hands busy while reinforcing the words with visual stimuli helped me digest the information more easily and more effectively. I use colorful pens to underline quotes that I resonate with, key points of the plot, character names, and draw attention to anything else that seems important.

Use a bookmark or ruler

So this is similar to the strategy above but without the permanent markings. Use a bookmark or rule to slide down each line. This prevents you from skipping ahead and stay focused on what you’re reading now. Take it line by line.

Find what environment works best for you

Some people enjoy complete silence. Others read better with some background noise. Experiment with your surroundings and find what increases your concentration.

Read aloud

Sometimes when I’m alone in bed I read aloud. This can take a bit longer, but hearing what I just read helps me focus on each word. 

Pace as you read

Pacing the room isn’t just for phone calls. Walking around while reading can prevent you from zoning out and avoid internal distractions. Keeping the body busy always helps me. I think that’s why fidget spinners were so popular.

Talk about what you read (or write about it)

This is probably my favorite. Book clubs, discussions with friends, or writing a short book review can help you recall and comprehend information. 

Start with blogs or smaller passages

Large books or long passages can be intimidating. Even with an attention disorder, we can train our brains and work our way up to more difficult reading tasks. I know it feels like our mind is fighting us at times, but, if we make something a habit, it will come to us more naturally. So, find your favorite blog and keep up with it. Blogs are usually 500-1,000 words with easy-to-read information. Personally, I strive for easy readability and comprehension when writing my posts. I like to keep them precise, labeled, and flowing.

Take breaks

Read in 15-20 minute chunks. Make this a goal. Put your phone on silent. Aiming for a shorter period of time can make it easier to both start and finish. 

The bottom line…

Whether you are reading for pleasure, work, or school,  I understand the struggles you are facing. Whether you’re diagnosed or not, your frustrations are still valid. If your goal is to read and focus better, I hope these strategies can help you. You are not alone and you’re already doing the best that you can.