What To Do When Your ADHD Child Hates Reading
We’ve all heard it said there are no two snowflakes alike. This is true with children, too. Some children love to read. Relaxing on a tree branch, nestled in bed, lounging on the beach, some children will always be found with a book in their hands.
Some children with ADHD avoid reading with all their strength. If this is your child, discover why your child does not like reading. Talk to your child. Is the act of reading difficult? Does the text remain stagnant or come alive in your child’s imagination? Is the subject boring? Is the writing style unengaging? It is possible there are a plethora of reasons why your child dislikes reading.
Sometimes, the act of reading is difficult.
You may want to help your child with phonemic awareness at home.
You may need to speak with a teacher about receiving extra assistance, modifications, or specific services at school.
Another option is to find a reading tutor who can help your child overcome their specific struggles.
Perhaps the text remains stagnant and lifeless. For many neurotypical readers, texts turn into movies in our imaginations.
For some neurodivergent readers, texts can remain just a bunch of words strung together, perhaps a snapshot here or there, like a photo album with missing stories. If this is the case, you may need to help your child build their conscious awareness of their environment through sensory experiences and vocabulary. Help your child bring their senses to life. Provide opportunities for your child to have hands-on experiences in a wide variety of disciplines. Talk to them about everything they see and experience. Offer your child necessary and interesting vocabulary for success and independence in every endeavor.
If texts remain stale because your child simply cannot concentrate or sit still while reading, try playing an audiobook in tandem with reading. Sometimes a voice or change of character releases the pressure of reading solo. This can be enough to help your child enjoy the act of reading again.
Possibly the subject is too hard, too easy, or just simply boring. Most of us have certainly had times when a book simply didn’t interest us. With no obligations to read, the book was reshelved for potentially another day.
If the subject is too hard, perhaps your child could benefit from videos about the subject to help build a picture. Or you could relate the subject to one that is of interest to show similarities, connections, analogous realities.
If the subject is too easy, find material that makes the subject more vibrant and adds depth. Again, finding relationships with more captivating subjects always makes a less interesting one more attractive.
If the subject is just simply boring, move on! Truly, this is ok to do. Every single one of us knows the subjects we just do not enjoy and do not retain well. And that is ok. For a child who is simply bored with a subject, they could learn certain basics for a grade by turning the study into a game, but they do not need to be proficient. Find the interests your child does have and follow them. When a child shows a serious interest, the child will absorb as much as possible to become as proficient as possible.
There is always the possibility that the writing style is unengaging. It is good to be exposed to all sorts of writing styles.
This is a good time to read with your child. Reading with your child may clarify syntax through intonation, meaning through context, and archaic usage through informed explanation.
Exposition to different writing styles also benefits a child’s ability to adapt to different verbal communication styles.
Additionally, different writing styles guide a child’s mind and imagination through history.
Remember, the most important steps in getting your child with ADHD interested in reading is to understand and address why your child doesn’t like to read. Find the solution that works best for your child and enjoy your child’s transformation!