Your child has an ADHD diagnosis. You've started treatment. But something still doesn't add up. Medication helps with focus during homework, but they still avoid reading. Behavioral strategies reduce impulsivity, but anxiety about school keeps building. The pieces don't quite fit. That confusion is often the first signal that ADHD isn't the whole story. Up to 80% of children with ADHD have at least one co-occurring condition, according to data from CHADD. The most common overlaps are anxiety disorders, affecting 30–50% of children with ADHD, and learning disabilities like dyslexia or dyscalculia, affecting 30–45%. Oppositional defiant disorder, depression, sleep disorders, and autism spectrum conditions also appear frequently alongside ADHD. These aren't separate, unrelated diagnoses that happen to show up together. Many share underlying neurological pathways. ADHD and dyslexia both involve phonological processing and working memory. Anxiety and ADHD share overlapping symptoms like restlessness and difficulty concentrating. Understanding how these conditions interact changes what you ask for in evaluation and what you prioritize in treatment. Why These Conditions Overlap. ADHD doesn't cause dyslexia or anxiety, but the neurological systems they affect intersect. Phonological processing deficits appear in both ADHD and dyslexia. Executive function challenges that define ADHD also make it harder to manage the cognitive load of anxiety. Sleep disruption, common in ADHD, worsens both attention and emotional regulation. The other direction matters too. Chronic frustration from untreated ADHD can lead to secondary anxiety. A child who repeatedly fails at reading because of undiagnosed dyslexia may develop task avoidance that looks...

Most children with ADHD have at least one other condition. Here's how to recognize when multiple diagnoses are present.

When ADHD Isn't Alone: Understanding Co-Occurring Anxiety, Dyslexia, and Learning Differences

Your child has an ADHD diagnosis. You've started treatment. But something still doesn't add up. Medication helps with focus during homework, but they still avoid reading. Behavioral strategies reduce impulsivity, but anxiety about school keeps building. The pieces don't quite fit. That confusion is often the first signal that ADHD isn't the whole story. Up to 80% of children with ADHD have at least one co-occurring condition, according to data from CHADD. The most common overlaps are anxiety disorders, affecting 30–50% of children with ADHD, and learning disabilities like dyslexia or dyscalculia, affecting 30–45%. Oppositional defiant disorder, depression, sleep disorders, and autism spectrum conditions also appear frequently alongside ADHD. These aren't separate, unrelated diagnoses that happen to show up together. Many share underlying neurological pathways. ADHD and dyslexia both involve phonological processing and working memory. Anxiety and ADHD share overlapping symptoms like restlessness and difficulty concentrating. Understanding how these conditions interact changes what you ask for in evaluation and what you prioritize in treatment. Why These Conditions Overlap. ADHD doesn't cause dyslexia or anxiety, but the neurological systems they affect intersect. Phonological processing deficits appear in both ADHD and dyslexia. Executive function challenges that define ADHD also make it harder to manage the cognitive load of anxiety. Sleep disruption, common in ADHD, worsens both attention and emotional regulation. The other direction matters too. Chronic frustration from untreated ADHD can lead to secondary anxiety. A child who repeatedly fails at reading because of undiagnosed dyslexia may develop task avoidance that looks...

Dyslexia is a brain-based type of learning disability that specifically impairs a person's ability to read. Those with dyslexia typically read at lower levels that expected, despite normal intelligence. Common characteristics of those with dyslexia are difficulties with phonological processing (the manipulation of sounds) and or rapid visual-verbal responding. That being said, you as a parent typically know when your child struggles with reading. They don't like to read. Reading may be labored. Your kids may take too long to do their assignments. So, what can you do as a parent that will make a difference? Is there something you can do? 4 Steps to Improve Reading Skills . Reading drills to improve reading fluency in 5 minutes a day. Improve spelling and learn the 8 different spelling patterns we use to make words. Improve reading comprehension by playing a reading comprehension game. Improve writing skills using specially designed graphic organizers. Today I'm writing about the first activity...reading fluency. Reading Fluency Training M. S. Meyer and R. H. Felton (1999) defined fluency as "the ability to read connected text rapidly, smoothly, effortlessly, and automatically with little conscious attention to the mechanics of reading, such as decoding". Dr. Sally Shawitz states that reading fluency training is one of the most important things parents can do to help their children improve their reading skills. The best part of this is that reading fluency training is one of the easiest activities for...

Use reading drills, spelling patterns, comprehension games, and writing tools to improve dyslexic children's reading skills.

4 Tips To Improve Reading Skills Even If You Have Dyslexia (Part 1)

Dyslexia is a brain-based type of learning disability that specifically impairs a person's ability to read. Those with dyslexia typically read at lower levels that expected, despite normal intelligence. Common characteristics of those with dyslexia are difficulties with phonological processing (the manipulation of sounds) and or rapid visual-verbal responding. That being said, you as a parent typically know when your child struggles with reading. They don't like to read. Reading may be labored. Your kids may take too long to do their assignments. So, what can you do as a parent that will make a difference? Is there something you can do? 4 Steps to Improve Reading Skills .  Reading drills to improve reading fluency in 5 minutes a day. Improve spelling and learn the 8 different spelling patterns we use to make words. Improve reading comprehension by playing a reading comprehension game. Improve writing skills using specially designed graphic organizers.  Today I'm writing about the first activity...reading fluency.  Reading Fluency Training         M. S. Meyer and R. H. Felton (1999) defined fluency as "the ability to read connected text rapidly, smoothly, effortlessly, and automatically with little conscious attention to the mechanics of reading, such as decoding". Dr. Sally Shawitz states that reading fluency training is one of the most important things parents can do to help their children improve their reading skills. The best part of this is that reading fluency training is one of the easiest activities for...

The word dyslexia was coined in 1895 but didn't come into common usage until the 1960s. The word comes from the Greek roots dys, meaning "abnormal" or "difficult," and lexis, meaning "word" or "speech." At its most basic level, dyslexia literally translates to "difficulty with words." Dyslexia is usually considered a reading and / or language-processing problem, and at one time in history, it was a synonym for word blindness or the inability to recognize words. Dyslexia is the most common of the conditions named under the broad category of "learning disabilities" or "learning differences," and involves neurological and structural issues related to brain and body development. Other factors — such as allergies, nutrition issues, or heavy metal toxicity — must be addressed because they play a critical role in the ability of your child to learn and act appropriately. These complicating factors can cause mood swings, aggression, lack of focus and attention, and imbalances in brain chemistry. According to the National Institute of Health, dyslexia is "one of several distinct learning disabilities. It is a specific language-based disorder of constitutional origin characterized by difficulties in single word decoding, usually reflecting insufficient phonological processing abilities...Dyslexia is manifested by variable difficulty with different forms of language, often including, in addition to problems in reading, a conspicuous problem with acquiring proficiency in writing and spelling." Dyslexia is very common. It may affect up to 15% of American students, and half of American...

Dyslexia, a common learning disability, involves difficulty with words and can impact reading, writing, and spelling, but is not permanent.

What Exactly IS Dyslexia?

 The word dyslexia was coined in 1895 but didn't come into common usage until the 1960s. The word comes from the Greek roots dys, meaning "abnormal" or "difficult," and lexis, meaning "word" or "speech." At its most basic level, dyslexia literally translates to "difficulty with words."   Dyslexia is usually considered a reading and / or language-processing problem, and at one time in history, it was a synonym for word blindness or the inability to recognize words. Dyslexia is the most common of the conditions named under the broad category of "learning disabilities" or "learning differences," and involves neurological and structural issues related to brain and body development.    Other factors — such as allergies, nutrition issues, or heavy metal toxicity — must be addressed because they play a critical role in the ability of your child to learn and act appropriately. These complicating factors can cause mood swings, aggression, lack of focus and attention, and imbalances in brain chemistry.   According to the National Institute of Health, dyslexia is "one of several distinct learning disabilities. It is a specific language-based disorder of constitutional origin characterized by difficulties in single word decoding, usually reflecting insufficient phonological processing abilities...Dyslexia is manifested by variable difficulty with different forms of language, often including, in addition to problems in reading, a conspicuous problem with acquiring proficiency in writing and spelling."   Dyslexia is very common. It may affect up to 15% of American students, and half of American...

Dyslexia is typically diagnosed in children when they are around second or third grade in school. A team from Children's Hospital Boston reports that they have discovered signs of dyslexia in children as young as 4 or 5 years old by studying their brain scans. This could be monumental news for families, who “often know that their child has dyslexia as early as kindergarten but they can't get interventions at their schools,” says Nadine Gaab of the Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience at Children's. Early intervention would be ideal in cases of dyslexia. Rather than waiting for a child to exhibit reading delays, a diagnosis before the child even begins to learn to read could boost confidence and help them avoid the label of being a “poor student.” As Gaab said in an interview with Reuters, “Often, by the time they get a diagnosis, [children] usually have experienced three years of peers telling them they are stupid, parents telling them they are lazy. We know they have reduced self esteem. They are really struggling.” In the Children's Hospital study, a group of 36 preschoolers had their brains scanned by Gaab and her colleagues while they did a variety of tasks that deal with phonological processing. Phonological processing is the ability to recognize and manipulate the individual sounds that form language. Children with dyslexia have trouble with mapping sounds of spoken language onto letters that make up words. According to Gaab, the study shows that children who had a family history of...

Research at Children's Hospital Boston can detect dyslexia in kids as young as 4 via brain scans, aiding early intervention.

Brain Scans Detect Early Signs of Dyslexia

Dyslexia is typically diagnosed in children when they are around second or third grade in school. A team from Children's Hospital Boston reports that they have discovered signs of dyslexia in children as young as 4 or 5 years old by studying their brain scans. This could be monumental news for families, who “often know that their child has dyslexia as early as kindergarten but they can't get interventions at their schools,” says Nadine Gaab of the Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience at Children's. Early intervention would be ideal in cases of dyslexia. Rather than waiting for a child to exhibit reading delays, a diagnosis before the child even begins to learn to read could boost confidence and help them avoid the label of being a “poor student.” As Gaab said in an interview with Reuters, “Often, by the time they get a diagnosis, [children] usually have experienced three years of peers telling them they are stupid, parents telling them they are lazy. We know they have reduced self esteem. They are really struggling.” In the Children's Hospital study, a group of 36 preschoolers had their brains scanned by Gaab and her colleagues while they did a variety of tasks that deal with phonological processing. Phonological processing is the ability to recognize and manipulate the individual sounds that form language. Children with dyslexia have trouble with mapping sounds of spoken language onto letters that make up words. According to Gaab, the study shows that children who had a family history of...

You're handed a referral for a speech-language pathologist. Your pediatrician says your child needs one. The school mentions it in passing. A specialist writes it on a form. Nobody explains what happens next, what the SLP will do, or whether this is the right kind of help for your child. Most families assume speech therapy means fixing how a child says words. That's part of it. But speech-language pathologists work on a far broader range of skills than pronunciation. They evaluate and treat language comprehension, social communication, feeding and swallowing, voice disorders, stuttering, and alternative communication systems for children who don't use speech at all. Understanding that scope helps you find a provider whose experience matches your child's actual needs. What Speech-Language Pathologists Treat. SLPs are licensed clinicians trained to assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders. The scope includes: Speech sound production. This is what most people think of when they hear "speech therapy." Articulation disorders (difficulty producing specific sounds like /r/ or /s/), phonological disorders (patterns of sound errors), and childhood apraxia of speech (motor planning difficulty that affects speech sequencing) all fall here. Language. Receptive language is understanding what others say. Expressive language is using words to communicate ideas. A child who struggles to follow multi-step directions, doesn't understand question forms, or can't organize their thoughts into sentences may have a language disorder even if their pronunciation is perfect. Social communication (pragmatics). This includes turn-taking in conversation, reading social cues, staying on topic, understanding...

SLPs treat far more than pronunciation. This guide covers what they evaluate, what conditions they treat, and how to find the right fit.

What Speech-Language Pathologists Actually Do: A Guide for Special Needs Families

You're handed a referral for a speech-language pathologist. Your pediatrician says your child needs one. The school mentions it in passing. A specialist writes it on a form. Nobody explains what happens next, what the SLP will do, or whether this is the right kind of help for your child. Most families assume speech therapy means fixing how a child says words. That's part of it. But speech-language pathologists work on a far broader range of skills than pronunciation. They evaluate and treat language comprehension, social communication, feeding and swallowing, voice disorders, stuttering, and alternative communication systems for children who don't use speech at all. Understanding that scope helps you find a provider whose experience matches your child's actual needs. What Speech-Language Pathologists Treat. SLPs are licensed clinicians trained to assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders. The scope includes:  Speech sound production. This is what most people think of when they hear "speech therapy." Articulation disorders (difficulty producing specific sounds like /r/ or /s/), phonological disorders (patterns of sound errors), and childhood apraxia of speech (motor planning difficulty that affects speech sequencing) all fall here.  Language. Receptive language is understanding what others say. Expressive language is using words to communicate ideas. A child who struggles to follow multi-step directions, doesn't understand question forms, or can't organize their thoughts into sentences may have a language disorder even if their pronunciation is perfect.  Social communication (pragmatics). This includes turn-taking in conversation, reading social cues, staying on topic, understanding...

You're already logged in! If you've forgotten your password and would like to reset it, <a href="/logout/?redirect=/forgot-password/" alt="Logout page link" title="Logout page link">log out</a> first.

Forgot Password

Login

Zippedy Zap, You're Out!

Poof! You're Logged Out!

Logged Out and Ready to Go!

See You Later, Friend!

Bye for Now!

Farewell, Buddy!

Adios, Amigo!

Until Next Time!

So Long, Friend!

Ciao, Buddy!

Bon Voyage, Friend!

Goodbye for Now!

Hasta Luego, Amigo!

Catch You Later!

See You Soon!

Farewell for Now!

Bye-Bye, Friend!

Until We Meet Again!

Logout

Let's give you a brand new password. Please fill in the boxes below with your details. 📋✏️

The reset ID you provided is invalid. Please check the link you used to get here and try again. To request a new reset link, please visit the <a href="/forgot-password/">forgot password page</a>. 🔄

Let's get your password reset. Please fill in the boxes below with your details. 📋✏️

Reset Password 🔑

Your password has been reset! You can now <a href="/login/" alt="Login page link" title="Login page link">log in</a> with your new password. 🔒

Aw, shucks! We're not quite ready for more friends to join in just yet. 😿But here's the good news! We have a special, sparkly waitlist made just for you! 🥳🎉All you have to do is hop over to <a href='/waitlist/' alt='Waitlist Page' title='Waitlist Page'>the waitlist</a> and sign up. We'll get everything ready and before you know it, you'll be part of our SpecialNeeds.com family!🌟🤗💕 We can't wait to see you soon, 😃

Let's get you signed up so you can join our family. Please fill in the boxes below with your details. 📋✏️

Sign Up

The link you clicked appears to have embarked on its own adventure. Double-check it and let's try again, explorer! 🧭

Just a few more details and your fantastic journey begins! 😊 Rest assured, your data is as safe as a treasure in a dragon's den! 🐉🔒

Checkout

Title

Contact Listing Owner 🗣️

Looks like you need to join our fantastic community to contact the owner. Sign up now and dive into the adventure! 🎉

Whoa, There! 🖐️

This magical form lets you send an initial message to the listing owner. Just jot down a snappy topic (50 characters or less) and your message. Let's get the conversation rolling! 💌

Step right up! 🎪

Find local special needs events near you.

Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover the inspiring stories and experiences of our users who have found invaluable resources, support, and connections through SpecialNeeds.com.

Feedback

John Luthor

SpecialNeeds.com has been instrumental in helping me find the right resources for my child. The wealth of information and supportive community is invaluable.

Sarah Taylor

As a teacher, SpecialNeeds.com is my go-to website for understanding my students' diverse needs. The strategies and tips shared have been very helpful.

Alex Hales

The user interface of SpecialNeeds.com is very friendly and easy to navigate. It's a great platform with a lot of useful features for individuals with special needs.

David Warner

SpecialNeeds.com is a beacon of hope for parents like us. The online resources are fantastic and the supportive community is heartwarming.

Jessica Brown

The speech therapy resources on SpecialNeeds.com are top-notch. They've been incredibly helpful in my practice.

Michael Johnson

I've found so much support and understanding in the SpecialNeeds.com community. It has made all the difference for my family.

Emily Davis

SpecialNeeds.com is an invaluable tool in my classroom. The educational resources and community support are amazing.

Oliver Smith

SpecialNeeds.com offers practical and actionable occupational therapy strategies. It's a resource I use daily in my practice.

Sophia Miller

Navigating the world of special needs parenting can be challenging, but SpecialNeeds.com provides resources and a community that truly help.

User’s Feedback About SpecialNeeds.com

Guide your special needs-related business to reach its full potential. Here's the straightforward path to success

Begin by signing up for an account to join our community and initiate your journey.

Join Our Community

With your account set up, it's time to create your business listing. A well-crafted and engaging listing can attract more visitors.

Create Your Listing

Choose from our range of packages for your listing, including various features to suit your needs. We offer multiple options, including a free package.

Select Your Package

Once you submit your listing, our team will review it. Upon approval, your listing will be published on the site for public viewing.

Await Approval

Congratulations! Your listing is now live. You can view it on our site and begin attracting new visitors.

Your Listing is Live

How It Works

Discover our extensive directory featuring a wide range of special needs-related listings. Add your listing to join our growing community.

Explore Our Directory

Engage directly with users through our messaging feature. Manage all your conversations efficiently from your dashboard.

Connect and Communicate

Draw more visitors and grow your business. You have full control over your listing and can update or modify it as needed from your dashboard.

Enhance Your Listing

Supporting Your Business Growth

New Chat Received! 🎉

Enter your name

Pricing

Privacy Policy

Hi there! At SpecialNeeds.com, we care a lot about keeping your information private. We promise to do our best to keep your information safe and sound. This means we collect only the necessary information to provide you with the best possible experience on our site, and we take all the necessary steps to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.

1. Our Promise

When you join our site, we collect your email, display name, and password. We don't ever collect your location unless you tell us it's okay. Additionally, we use various analytics tools, which may collect other information like which pages you visit on our site, your IP address, and other data related to your use of our site. These tools help us understand how our site is used and enable us to improve your experience.

2. What We Collect

We collect information from you when you fill out forms on our site, like when you sign up. We also use cookies and Google Analytics to learn more about how you use our site. If you choose to enable the distance search feature, we'll collect your location information after getting your consent by clicking a button.

3. How We Collect It

We use your information to help you use our site and to make our site better for you. We also use it to see how people use our site, so we can make it better for everyone. Your location information, if you choose to share it, is used to help you find resources and services near you.

4. How We Use It

The majority of your information is kept confidential and is not shared with any third parties outside of SpecialNeeds.com. However, for users interacting with our directory listings (such as camps, schools, etc.), we may share aggregated and anonymized analytics data with the owners of these listings. This data may include metrics like the number of page views, time spent on the site, and other related usage statistics. It's important to note that this shared data will not include any personally identifiable information and is solely used to provide insights to our paid listing owners.

5. Who We Share It With

We use some fancy tech stuff to keep your information safe, like HTTPS for secure browsing, bcrypt to keep your password safe, and encryption to keep your location safe if you choose to share it with us. We also store your encrypted location information (if provided) in your browser's local storage and not on our servers, to add an extra layer of security.

6. How We Keep It Safe

You can change your email and password whenever you want. You can't change your display name once it's set, though. If you want to delete your account, you can do that, too. And remember, you can always tell us to stop using your location info by revoking your consent.

7. Changing or Deleting Your Info

Our site isn't made for kids under 13. We don't collect information from anyone under 13, and if we become aware of any such information, we will take steps to delete it.

8. Kids Under 13

Our site is made for people in the U.S. Even though we collect some information from people outside the U.S. through Google Analytics, our website is not targeted at them, and we do not use their information for anything other than Google Analytics.

9. People Outside the U.S.

Sometimes we might need to change this policy. If we do, we'll send you an email, and we'll put a notice on our site and on our social media accounts, if we have any. Please keep checking so you always know our latest policy.

10. Changes to This Policy

Remember, we're here to help. If you have any questions about this privacy policy, just ask!

Privacy Policy for SpecialNeeds.com

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions for SpecialNeeds.com

Hi there! Welcome to SpecialNeeds.com. We're a website that helps people learn about special needs resources, like camps, schools, and therapists. We also share articles and news about special needs topics. But before you start exploring, we need you to understand and agree to our rules.

1. Welcome to Our Site!

Our site is primarily made for people who are 13 years or older. However, individuals under the age of 13 may access the content on our site under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian. While they cannot register for an account, they are welcome to read and learn from the information available with appropriate guidance.

2. Who Can Use Our Site

We want everyone to have a good time here, so we have some rules. You can't use our site to do anything illegal, to bother other people, to share spam, or to post mean or offensive things. And please, don't share anything that belongs to someone else without their permission.

3. Our Rules

Users can add items to our directory, but we'll need to say okay first. We use a smart computer program to check if anything mean or offensive gets posted. And we'll take down anything that's not okay right away.

4. Adding to Our Directory

If you break any of our rules, we might have to stop your account. This means you won't be able to use our site anymore. We don't want to do this, but sometimes we have to.

5. Accounts and What Can Happen

We do our best to share good, helpful information. But we can't promise that everything is perfect or right for you. We're not doctors, and we don't give medical advice. Always check with your own doctor or do your own research.

6. What We Can Promise

If we have a disagreement, we'd like to work it out with you. But if we can't, then we'll have to ask a neutral person or group (this is called an arbitrator) to help us solve it.

7. What Happens If We Disagree

Sometimes we might need to change these rules. If we do, we'll send you an email, and post on our social media accounts, if we have any. Please keep checking so you always know our latest rules.

8. Changes to These Rules

Remember, we're here to help. If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, just ask!

At SpecialNeeds.com, we strive to foster a community of trust and reliability. One significant way we ensure this trust is through our Verified Badge. You may have spotted this little checkmark symbol on our platform. But do you know what it signifies? Allow us to pull back the curtain on this important aspect of our platform. The Verified Badge isn't merely decorative - it's a symbol of authenticity, accuracy, and connection. When you see this badge associated with a company, you can rest assured that the company has been thoroughly vetted and is confirmed to be genuine. But how do we ascertain this genuineness? The process is both rigorous and meticulous. To earn the Verified Badge, a company representative or a SpecialNeeds.com staff member must first register with us and provide evidence of their affiliation with the company. This is typically in the form of a business email address. However, the badge doesn't just signify affiliation. It's also a testament to accuracy. The representative or our staff member is responsible for verifying all information associated with the company - from contact details to rates and features. Only when every piece of information has been scrutinized and confirmed do we award the coveted Verified Badge. Maintaining the Verified Badge isn't a one-time effort - it requires an annual renewal. Each year, company representatives are required to reaffirm their details and reverify their information. This ensures that the data associated with Verified Badge holders remains up-to-date and accurate. If the information isn't refreshed yearly, the Verified Badge status lapses. This renewal requirement serves as an ongoing commitment to accuracy, reinforcing our dedication to providing reliable, current information for our community. But why is this badge important? Why should you, as a user of our platform, trust it? The answer is simple. The Verified Badge is your compass on SpecialNeeds.com, guiding you with the assurance of truth and reliability. This badge is our commitment to you. It's our guarantee that the information you're viewing has been checked for accuracy and confirmed for authenticity. Whenever you see this badge, you know you're looking at a company that has been meticulously verified. That's our promise to you. So, as you explore the vibrant world of special needs-related businesses on SpecialNeeds.com, remember to look out for our Verified Badge. It's more than a symbol - it's the mark of trust you can rely on.

Verified Badge

Verified Listing: Last verified <lastVerified>. Click to learn more.

Special Needs
Articles

When ADHD Isn't Alone: Understanding Co-Occurring Anxiety, Dyslexia, and Learning Differences

4 Tips To Improve Reading Skills Even If You Have Dyslexia (Part 1)

What Exactly IS Dyslexia?

Brain Scans Detect Early Signs of Dyslexia

What Speech-Language Pathologists Actually Do: A Guide for Special Needs Families

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

When ADHD Isn't Alone: Understanding Co-Occurring Anxiety, Dyslexia, and Learning Differences

4 Tips To Improve Reading Skills Even If You Have Dyslexia (Part 1)

What Exactly IS Dyslexia?

Brain Scans Detect Early Signs of Dyslexia

What Speech-Language Pathologists Actually Do: A Guide for Special Needs Families

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles