Adult at home learning about ADHD from her laptop

Does ADHD Affect Speech In Adults?

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What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is a brain disorder that causes those affected to have difficulty with attention, focus, self-control, self-regulation, and/or sitting still when it is required. There is no cure for this disorder, and most people with ADHD will be managing their symptoms for life. While this condition cannot be cured, there is a wide variety of resources and supports that are available to help someone who is struggling with ADHD. For many people with ADHD, their speech, language, and communication skills are significantly affected. Individuals with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing articulation disorders, issues with speech fluency, and a decrease in the overall quality and tone of their speaking voice. Time with a speech-language pathologist can be highly valuable for anyone who is struggling with communication problems related to ADHD. If you want to learn more about how speech therapy can help improve your speech and language skills as well as your ability to focus and achieve your goals, get started by scheduling your free introductory call today!

What are the Signs of ADHD?

ADHD can result in a few, some, or all of the following difficulties: 

  • Inattention & Poor Focus
  • Difficulty Concentrating 
  • Distracted Easily
  • Struggling to Maintain Focus on a Specific Task
  • Problems with Planning, Executing, and Completing Certain Tasks 
  • The Appearance of Not Listening when Being Spoken To
  • Manages Some Tasks Better Than Others 
  • DIfficulty Learning and Developing New Skills or Concepts 
  • Hyperactivity & Significant Difficulties Staying Still, Not Fidgeting 
  • Often Rotates Between Tasks and Activities 
  • Often Doing Multiple Things At Once 
  • Impulsive Behavior
  • Impatient and Has a Hard Time Taking Turns 

How is ADHD Diagnosed?

There is no specific test or evaluation process for diagnosing ADHD in both children and adults. If you suspect that you or a loved one may have ADHD, the first step is to talk to your doctor about the symptoms you are experiencing and how these symptoms are affecting your daily life. Your doctor may then refer you to a specialist such as a specialized psychiatrist, speech and language pathologist, or another appropriate care specialist to provide support and care. 

While it may be increasingly common for people to attempt to diagnose themselves with ADHD, a proper diagnosis is essential to ensure that the proper course of treatment is followed, as well as to ensure adequate access to supportive resources. 

How Does ADHD Affect Speech? Does ADHD Make Speaking Hard?

ADHD can affect speech and language skills in a variety of different ways. It is also important to remember that this disorder affects each person differently.

Speech

People with ADHD have a higher risk of developing problems with articulation. Articulation is the ability to produce specific letter sounds. Differences in the quality and fluency of speech are also often seen in people with ADHD. In some cases, this disorder has been detected and diagnosed as a result of these differences. As an individual with ADHD works to organize their thoughts when talking, using more filler words or repeating sounds/words is common. This can lead to misunderstandings from others and impatience and frustration from both the person speaking and those who are listening and attempting to understand them. 

Language

Processing and executing language is also commonly affected in people with ADHD. People with this disorder have a higher risk of developing significant language delays. It is also common for those with ADHD to become easily distracted and lose their focus as they are speaking. They may also experience difficulties when it comes to finding the right words and expressing their thoughts effectively. Challenges related to planning and organizing can cause grammatical errors even when the individual possesses strong grammatical skills. 

Struggling with listening comprehension is also common and may cause the individual to lose track of a conversation as they listen, miss entire parts or details, and can even appear to not be listening at all. 

Challenges in understanding spoken language as a result of ADHD can sometimes be incorrectly diagnosed as hearing impairment or auditory processing disorder when in most cases there is no problem with the auditory pathway. The information is making it in, but deficits with executive function mismanage the information.

Why Do Adults with ADHD Talk so Much? Does ADHD Make You Overshare?

People with ADHD often exhibit such behaviors as blurting out answers, interrupting, oversharing, and speaking at too high a volume. These things break away from the social norms of interaction and conversation. This can cause difficulties when relating to and interacting with others.

In terms of non-verbal communication skills, most people with ADHD possess these skills. They have a good understanding of the fundamental rules and norms of communication, such as taking turns when speaking. Due to increased instances of being distracted or impulsive, they may have difficulty following these rules, despite knowing and 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!

How is ADHD Treated?

The treatment for ADHD can vary widely and is different for each individual. There are medications available to help to manage the symptoms of ADHD that can be very helpful for some. For others, medication is not the right course of treatment and they respond better to behavioral therapy and guidance from other specialists. 

Does Speech Therapy Help with ADHD?

Anyone with ADHD can benefit from time with an experienced and knowledgeable speech-language pathologist. Speech therapy helps those with ADHD by teaching new skills and techniques to help the individual follow directions, organize and plan, complete tasks, and focus on achieving their goals. 

Once an individual receives a diagnosis of ADHD, obtaining an evaluation by a speech and language pathologist is very important. The speech and language therapist will design a completely customized treatment program using a wide variety of exercises and interventions depending on the specific challenges, abilities, and needs of the individual. 

Speech and language therapy is an essential resource and can be highly beneficial for individuals with ADHD. Improving and supporting speech and language skills and listening and conversation abilities will go a long way towards improving overall communication skills and confidence. A speech therapist is one of the best resources for anyone affected by ADHD. Get started by scheduling your free introductory call with Great Speech today!