There Is More Than One Way to Read with ADHD

What ADHD and dyslexia taught me about learning, accommodations, and reading 122 books in a year

ADHDtime on air

When people hear that I read 122 books in a year, they often assume I must be naturally good at reading. The reality is quite different.

I have both ADHD and dyslexia*. Reading has never been easy for me. It takes more effort, more energy, and more accommodations than many people realize. Yet over time, I have found ways to make reading work for my brain.

The lesson is not that everyone should read 122 books.

The lesson is that we can build systems that help us learn, even when the traditional approach does not fit how our brains work.

*Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects how the brain processes written language. People with dyslexia often have difficulty connecting the sounds of language to written words, which can make reading, spelling, and writing more difficult, less accurate, and more time-consuming. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence, motivation, or effort.

Stop Measuring Success by the Number

One of the biggest misconceptions about reading is that more is always better.

Some years I read a handful of books. Other years I read many more. The number is not the goal.

The goal is learning, enjoyment, curiosity, and growth.

When we focus too much on numbers, we can miss the value of the experience itself. Reading one book that changes how you think may be far more meaningful than reading twenty books that you quickly forget.

Use Accommodations Without Apology

Many adults with ADHD and dyslexia carry shame about how they consume information.

They believe reading only "counts" if they sit quietly and use their eyes to read every word on every page.

I disagree.

Audiobooks changed my life.

One of my favorite approaches is listening while reading. Hearing the words while seeing them on the page helps me process and retain information. For many people with dyslexia, combining visual and auditory input can be a powerful strategy.

The important question is not whether you read with your eyes or your ears.

The important question is whether you are learning, enjoying the experience, or both.

Match the Method to the Goal

Not every book requires the same level of attention.

When I am listening to a mystery novel or a book for pleasure, I might listen while folding laundry, loading the dishwasher, or doing other routine tasks.

When I am reading a professional book that I plan to discuss, teach, or apply in my work, I approach it differently. I slow down. I take notes. I highlight. I create a learning environment that signals to my brain that this information matters.

The strategy should match the purpose.

Accountability Can Be a Powerful Reading Tool

Several years ago, I noticed that I was buying books faster than I was reading them.

My "to be read" pile kept growing, but my progress did not.

So I created a solution.

I started the Focus on ADHD Books Club. Every month, a group of us reads a book and discusses it together.

The book club helps because people are expecting me to show up having read the book. That external accountability creates motivation and follow through.

Many adults with ADHD benefit from this type of structure. Sometimes the missing ingredient is not willpower. Sometimes it is simply having someone waiting on the other side of the Zoom screen.

Reduce Memory Load Whenever Possible

One of my favorite ADHD strategies has nothing to do with reading.

It is reducing memory load.

Many of us spend enormous amounts of mental energy trying to remember information that could be stored in the environment instead.

For example, my family uses color coding. We have assigned colors to different family members. I use purple. My son uses yellow.

The goal is not to create a perfect system.

The goal is to reduce the number of decisions and memory demands throughout the day.

When information is easier to find, track, and organize, our brains have more energy available for the things that truly matter.

Create a Culture of Reading, Even If Reading Is Hard

One of the greatest gifts my parents gave me was a love of books.

They read to me. They talked about books. They exposed me to stories and ideas.

They did this even though reading was difficult for me.

If you have a child who struggles with reading, remember that creating a love of books is different from teaching reading skills.

Talk about books. Listen to audiobooks together. Ask questions. Share stories. Let children see that books matter.

A child can develop a love of learning long before reading becomes easy.

What I Wish More People Understood

I wish more people understood that ADHD is not simply an attention problem.

It is a self-regulation challenge.

I also wish more people understood that it is never too late to seek an evaluation, pursue treatment, or learn more about how your brain works.

A diagnosis is not just a label.

It can provide understanding, access to support, accommodations, and a new way of understanding your life story.

The Bottom Line

• You do not need to read 122 books.

• You do not need to read the way anyone else reads.

• You do not need to force your brain into systems that were never designed for it.

• What matters is finding ways to stay curious, continue learning, and build systems that support how your brain actually works.

• Whether you read with your eyes, your ears, or a combination of both, knowledge is still knowledge.

• Every book you finish is a reminder that there is more than one path to learning.

Want to Learn More?

If this topic resonates with you, I invite you to watch the full episode of ADHDtime on Air, where I share more about living with ADHD and dyslexia, the strategies that helped me become a reader, and the systems I use to reduce memory load and stay engaged with learning.

You can find ADHDtime on Air on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.

For more resources on ADHD, memory, executive functioning, and life transitions, visit ADHDtime, subscribe to the podcast, and join my free Focus on ADHD Books Club.

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Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects how the brain processes written language. People with dyslexia often have difficulty connecting the sounds of language to written words, which can make reading, spelling, and writing more difficult, less accurate, and more time-consuming. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence, motivation, or effort.