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Does ADHD Affect Speech & Communication?

Does ADHD Affect Speech & Communication?

/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon • 7 min read

Individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (commonly referred to as ADHD) can also develop speech and language challenges. Communication disorders related to ADHD can affect pragmatics (appropriate social communication), speech fluency, auditory processing, and other elements of speech and language. 

It is important for individuals with ADHD, as well as family members, friends, and caregivers, to have a solid understanding of the intricate relationship between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and speech. This information provides essential context and comprehension of the challenges related to ADHD and how communication skills can be affected. Tailored treatment services, such as working with a speech and language pathologist, provide helpful techniques and support that focus on improving speech and language skills in individuals of all ages. 

If you or someone close to you is living with ADHD and experiencing communication difficulties, speech therapy might be right for you. You can learn more about how speech therapy helps with ADHD by scheduling your free introductory call today! 

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a disorder of the brain that causes individuals to struggle with focus, attention, self-control, and sitting still. It is a lifelong condition for which there is no cure. However, many resources and supports are available that can help improve focus and attention and any other areas that may be affected. 

While the exact cause of ADHD is unknown, there is often a genetic link, as many children with ADHD also have a parent or close relative with the same condition. In many cases, ADHD affects speech, language, and communication. People with ADHD have a higher risk of articulation disorders, problems with the fluency of speech, and the overall quality and tone of their speaking voice. 

What are the Symptoms of ADHD?

ADHD can affect individuals of all ages, and the severity and impact of the symptoms of the disorder can vary significantly between cases. Individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may experience a few, some, or all of the following challenges: 

Attention

Difficulty Concentrating 

Becomes Easily Distracted 

Difficulty Focusing on One Specific Task

Does Not Appear to be Listening When Others Speak to Them

Difficulty Planning & Completing Tasks

Manages Some Tasks Better Than Others 

Has Difficulty Learning New Skills or Concepts 

Hyperactivity

Has Great Difficulty Staying Still

Is Often Fidgety or Restless 

Frequently Bounces Between Activities or Tasks 

Attempts to Do Multiple Things At Once 

Impulsivity

Difficulty with Impulse Control

Often Acts Without Thinking 

Struggles with Impatience 

Has a Hard Time Waiting Their Turn 

Does ADHD Cause Speech Problems? What Language Difficulties are Associated with ADHD?

One study showed that as many as ⅔ of children diagnosed with ADHD also have speech and language disorders, and other research has shown that percentage to be as high as 90%. ADHD can affect speech and language skills in many different ways, and each person can experience it differently.

Speech 

Those with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing articulation problems, which affect the ability to produce certain letter sounds and meet developmental speech milestones as they grow and develop. Differences in vocal quality and fluency of speech are also common among individuals with ADHD. In some cases, this disorder has been identified through these differences. 

When children with ADHD are compared alongside those with learning disabilities alone, they display significant increases in volume and pitch variability when speaking. A higher number of pauses while talking was also identified. 

As children with ADHD work to organize their thoughts when speaking, it is common for them to use more word fillers and produce more word or sound repetitions. This often leads to misunderstandings from others and impatience from both the child speaking and those who are listening and trying to understand them. 

Communication 

Processing language is also different for children with ADHD, and they have an increased risk of developing significant language delays. Children who are diagnosed with ADHD typically get distracted easily and can lose focus when they are speaking. Finding the right words and expressing their thoughts effectively during conversation can also be difficult. Challenges with planning and organizing can result in grammatical errors even when they possess the skills ordinarily. 

Children with ADHD also struggle with listening comprehension, especially when the person speaking is speaking rapidly or at length and is in a noisy environment (such as a classroom). They may lose track of a conversation when listening, missing entire components or details, and can often appear to not be listening at all. These difficulties can have academic and social implications, and some children with ADHD can become so overwhelmed that they become withdrawn and refuse to engage. 

Difficulties understanding spoken language related to ADHD can sometimes be incorrectly diagnosed as “auditory processing disorder” when there is no problem with the actual auditory pathway. The information makes it in, but impairments with executive function mismanage the information.

Pragmatics

Pragmatic language refers to the social and conversational aspects of language and nonverbal communication. Children with ADHD often exhibit such behaviors as blurting out answers, interrupting, and speaking too loudly or excessively. All of these break the norms of social interaction and conversation and can result in problems interacting with and relating to their peers as well as the adults in their lives.

When it comes to non-verbal communication, most children with ADHD have these skills intact. They understand the basic rules of communication, such as waiting their turn to speak, but due to high levels of distractibility and impulsiveness, they may struggle to follow these “rules” despite understanding them. You can learn more about how ADHD affects communication skills and how speech therapy can help by scheduling your free introductory call today! 

The Impact of ADHD Medications on Communication

ADHD medications can effectively treat the symptoms of the disorder and reduce the impact on daily life and communication. These medications help by increasing the chemical levels in the brain (called neurotransmitters). Some individuals with ADHD face challenges finding the most effective medication, but once proper medication has been established, significant improvement typically follows. 

Unfortunately, most ADHD medications do have mild side effects, such as nausea, headaches, and insomnia. Some medications for ADHD are known as stimulants, and these medications often cause severe dry mouth. A dry mouth is the result of decreased saliva production, which can lead to chronic bad breath, severe thirst, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing. In addition, dry mouth can impact communication, often resulting in a hoarse or raspy speaking voice and pain or swelling of the tongue, lips, and mouth. 

Tips for Parents of Children with ADHD

The most important thing to do when supporting a child who may have ADHD is to do everything you can to reach an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Because there is no one test or evaluation process to diagnose ADHD in children, reaching a diagnosis can be challenging in some instances. Diagnosing ADHD requires clear and concrete evidence of significant deficits or impairments in social or academic functioning. 

If you are a parent of a child who has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, it is important to watch for potential challenges with speech, language, and communication. Problems with communication related to ADHD should be addressed as soon as possible. Parents and caregivers can also adapt how they communicate to facilitate smoother communication and make the process easier for all involved. 

Some of the most helpful communication tips for parents of children with ADHD include: 

  • Acknowledging when your child listens attentively and praising their efforts
  • Provide immediate positive reinforcement and feedback when your child is managing their behavior well and communicating effectively
  • Provide short and simple directions that are easy to understand and follow
  • Develop strategies for communication that work for all involved
  • Provide your child with choices (for example: do you want to wear the blue or the red shirt today?)
  • Use gestures and visual aids to help communicate clearly
  • Use a calm and gentle voice when speaking to them
  • Establish clear expectations of behavior and communication
  • Create short and simple task lists to help your child remember to complete certain things
  • Highlight your child’s strengths and interests, and use those to leverage their learning and development
  • Confirm that your child has understood you before moving on

In addition to the simple tips listed above, taking on an active role in their speech therapy journey is important. Your child’s speech and language pathologist will provide clear feedback and information on your child’s progress. Most speech therapy treatment programs also involve “homework” which includes specific exercises and activities to work on between speech therapy sessions. Set aside a small amount of time each day to work with your child on their speech therapy assignments to help ensure steady progress toward their communication goals. 

Do People with ADHD Need Speech Therapy? How Can Speech Therapy Help ADHD?

Both children and adults with ADHD can benefit from time with a speech-language pathologist. An SLP helps by teaching new skills and strategies to help their patient follow directions, plan, and complete tasks, as well as focus on their goals. 

When a child or adult receives a diagnosis of ADHD, an evaluation by a speech and language pathologist is a very important piece of understanding the whole picture of your child’s challenges and strengths. The speech and language therapist uses a large variety of activities and interventions, which will depend on the specific abilities and needs of the individual. SLPs are experts in delivering these techniques using a behavioral approach, positive reinforcement structure, and focused goal setting for the child. Speech and language therapists also often work closely with teachers and educational staff to ensure the child is supported and able to reach their full potential in achieving academic success.

Speech and language therapy is a vital resource and can be extremely beneficial for individuals with ADHD, which affects their speech, language, and communication skills. Improving and supporting speech, listening, and communication skills will also benefit the child in their home, social, and academic lives. An SLP also knows that people with ADHD are thoughtful, creative, intelligent, and unique because they can see and navigate the world differently. For parents of children with ADHD, it is so important to make sure that their children’s needs are met and their ideas are understood. One of the most helpful types of professionals for children and adults who struggle with ADHD is a speech therapist. Get started by scheduling your free introductory call with Great Speech today!