Intervention for Dyslexia, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and/or ADHD
The majority of clients I serve have one, two, or all three of these diagnoses. Finding high-quality information about these distinct disorders can be challenging, so I’m putting a few of my favorite resources here for your convenience.
While most people are aware of dyslexia and ADHD, many have not heard much about language disorders. DLD is actually more prevalent than autism, impacting about 1 in 14 people, or 7% of the population! Learning about the differences between dyslexia, DLD, and ADHD is extremely helpful for making sure intervention is tailored appropriately!
To describe their differences simply, dyslexia makes reading and spelling written words difficult. DLD makes using and understanding spoken language (and written language) difficult (e.g., following complex instructions or telling a longer story). ADHD makes managing executive function difficult, including planning, inhibition, sustaining attention for undesirable tasks, and regulating emotions.
Dyslexia, developmental language disorder, and ADHD regularly show up together. They also all present on a spectrum and can look very different from one person to the next. It's possible for one person to have any combo of the three, or just one.
Dyslexia
The International Dyslexia Association has an abundance of resources for parents and professionals. They also have state branches that often provide great advocacy work.
The Gaab Lab Dyslexia Myths post expertly addresses many myths that still run rampant, while linking to resources and research. This is the website to send to someone who tells you your child is too young to be tested for dyslexia. Or that you should do vision therapy and that will cure dyslexia. Or that kids who learn to read later don’t “get” dyslexia. Or that… sigh.
For those interested in the finer details about how to build literacy skills in kids with dyslexia, this phenomenal episode of Literacy in Color, featuring the incomparable Dr. Maryanne Wolf, is not to be missed.
Speech-Language Pathologists can check out the Informed SLP breakdown on dyslexia for detailed clinical information. I’m a huge fan of this group, and so grateful for the work they do to make research more accessible to SLPs. They also have excellent information about DLD.
Developmental Language Disorder
Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (RADLD) is the original DLD advocacy group. Their Fact Sheet provides a great introduction if you’re just learning about it.
The DLD Project offers several free trainings, including one about language and DLD, one for families learning about the diagnosis, and one for educators supporting students with DLD. They offer lots of other tremendous resources, too.
DLD and Me offers a lot of personal stories from parents of children with DLD, as well as people with DLD. If you’re feeling lonely and need some company, these stories may help. You are not alone!
The Moor Institute offers some great handouts with strategies specific for advocating for oneself within a variety of systems, including work, school, interviews, clubs, and more.
Educators and SLPs may be interested in watching this longer conversation with Dr. Tiffany Hogan at the Right to Read Lunch & Lit in June 2025. Below the video she offers links to more resources, as well as relevant research.
SLP Beth Coppoc Gunshor and I spoke about Language Enriching Literacy Ideas for DLD on Bruce Howlett’s For the Love of Literacy podcast. We gush on about each other for a bit first, but we get to really good stuff, I promise!
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
Dr. Russell Barkley has published a mountain of resources, including the book 12 Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD and Executive Functions. He’s interviewed on two episodes of the Ologies podcast, offering a great way to learn a good amount while also walking your dog.
Understood.org has a great list of myths about ADHD, alongside an abundance of other resources, including explanations about pharmacological treatment.
Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD) offers advocacy opportunities, online communities and educational resources alongside other services.
SLP Beth Coppoc Gunshor gives a handful of incredibly practical, immediately useful suggestions about Building Executive Function Skills into Literacy Sessions on another podcast. Some of the best things I’ve learned studying for countless hours in the past decade are handed to you by her in under 60 minutes. (Did you happen to notice Beth’s name appear above, too? Well, yes, we’re friends and colleagues who often meet and collaborate! We’re also speaking at the ASHA national convention together in November 2026 on Creating Momentum through Flow: Integrated Intervention for Children with DLD, Dyslexia, and ADHD.)
Whether you're a parent or a fellow clinician, these resources are simply a starting point. They’re not meant as a substitute for evaluations, which are the only way to confirm these diagnoses, since other conditions share overlapping symptoms. Once we understand which diagnoses actually apply (a process called differential diagnosis), we can determine how to best support someone. Understanding the specific strengths and challenges at play for any given individual goes a long way toward avoiding ineffective therapy choices and identifying the ones that will actually support progress. Literacy intervention is rarely fast. We want every minute to count because our kids deserve our best.