Although ADHD is not a language disorder, it can hamper an adult’s or student’s spoken language and communication skills.  Rosemary Tannock, Ph.D., and the team of educators and researchers at the Brain and Behavior Center in Toronto have identified several language challenges often associated with ADHD.

Weaknesses in Pragmatic(Social) Language

• Blurting out in class or during a meeting

• Interrupting others

• Talking excessively when it is inappropriate

• Speaking for much longer at a stretch, and with many brief pauses

• Talking too fast to allow others to think or organize information shared

• Talking too fast to permit others interceding or being able to take a turn

Problems with Voice Modulation

• Speaking much louder than social norms and fails to modulate their voice volume

• Appearing rude or “in your face”

Research suggests these problems likely reflect impulsivity and an immature motor system, which is involved in the fine muscle adjustments involved in voice modulation.

Weaknesses in Higher-level Language

• Problems inferring information from conversations, lectures, and reading

• Trouble identifying errors made when following verbal instructions

• Difficulty monitoring comprehension of orally presented information

• Challenges comprehending information in science and other textbooks

• Problems comprehending cause-effect relationships

• Trouble elaborating verbally on their ideas

• Problems making clear explanations on request

• Difficulty answering questions concisely using correct vocabulary

Need Help Figuring out the Difference between ADHD and Language Disorders?

Contact us to make an appointment. If necessary, we will refer you to Speech-Language Pathologist Amber Cloy, M.S., CCC/SLP for help identifying spoken language disorders in children or teens.

(c) 2010-2019, Monte W. Davenport, Ph.D.