To watch as a podcast episode, click here https://youtu.be/m29_ozCBUeM
Does homework feel like a never-ending battle in your home?
Does your child struggle with reading, writing, or paying attention in school?
You’re not alone.
Many bright, capable children face challenges with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD.
The good news?
With the right strategies, support, and interventions, these challenges can be overcome.
Understanding the intricate link between dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD is crucial for parents and educators. Recognizing the overlapping symptoms of these conditions is the first step toward tailored interventions and effective support. By addressing these challenges comprehensively, individuals can unlock their full potential and thrive academically and
At Stowell Learning Centers, we’ve helped thousands of families just like yours. We believe that struggles with learning do not have to be permanent. Let’s explore what dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD look like, how they overlap, and simple strategies to help your child succeed.
Why Is Homework Taking So Long? The Root of the Problem
If your child’s homework takes hours instead of minutes, the underlying issue might not be motivation or effort. Many students with learning differences experience:
- Difficulty reading (Dyslexia)
- Trouble writing thoughts on paper (Dysgraphia)
- Struggles with focus, organization, or following directions (ADHD)
Dyslexia and dysgraphia, or any learning difference, can put tremendous stress on a child’s attention system. If your child only struggles to focus when reading or writing, it may not be ADHD but rather an underlying learning difficulty.
Signs of Dyslexia: What to Look For
Dyslexia isn’t always obvious in early grades because many children are skilled at compensating. Here are some early warning signs that your child may have dyslexia:
- Difficulty learning the alphabet
- Struggles with speech and articulation
- Enjoys being read to but avoids trying to read themselves
- Difficulty writing their own name
- Persistent letter reversals beyond age seven
If your child remembers a story but struggles to actually decode the words, they might be using memorization instead of true reading skills. This is common among dyslexic learners.
How to Support a Child with Dyslexia
One of our favorite techniques is Neurological Impress Reading (NIR). This simple, research-backed method helps struggling readers by:
- Reading together while pointing at each word
- Tapping twice at punctuation to improve fluency
- Hearing words correctly while seeing them on the page
Studies show that just ten minutes a day of NIR can significantly improve reading fluency and comprehension.
Dysgraphia: When Writing Feels Impossible
Dysgraphia is more than just “messy handwriting.” It affects:
- Pencil grip and pressure (too tight or too light)
- Letter spacing and formation (uneven, reversed, or jumbled)
- Spelling and written expression (thoughts are clear verbally but hard to write)
- Writing speed (slow, labored, and frustrating)
Children with dysgraphia may write neatly when forced to, but this effort is exhausting and not sustainable.
How to Help a Child with Dysgraphia
- Lazy Eights for Writing – Have your child trace an infinity symbol with their finger or pencil to activate both brain hemispheres before writing.
- Handwriting Without Tears – This specialized paper helps with letter size and spacing. Available at lwtears.com.
- The Five-Minute Writing Strategy – Turn a writing prompt into a question, visualize the answer, and pick three key words before writing. Then, write nonstop for five minutes before editing. This method reduces writing anxiety.
ADHD vs. Learning Struggles: Understanding the Difference
ADHD is often diagnosed early (before first grade), while dyslexia and dysgraphia become more obvious as reading and writing demands increase.
ADHD symptoms include:
- Trouble sitting still in any situation
- Difficulty following multi-step directions
- Forgetfulness in daily tasks
- Impulsive behavior
Learning struggles (like dyslexia or dysgraphia) may look like ADHD because:
- A child gets distracted while reading or writing
- They lose focus when information is hard to process
- Homework takes hours due to inefficiency, not inattention
About fifty to sixty percent of people with ADHD also have a learning disability, and thirty percent of dyslexic individuals also have ADHD. Understanding the root cause of your child’s struggles is key to finding the right support.
One Powerful Brain Reset: Cross Crawls
Before starting homework, help your child reset their brain with a quick Cross Crawl exercise:
- Stand up and touch the right hand to the left knee
- Then touch the left hand to the right knee
- Continue for thirty seconds to a minute
This activates both brain hemispheres, improves focus, and reduces frustration. One of our clinicians, Sandra, was skeptical until she saw a struggling reader instantly improve after just one set of cross-crawls.
Hope for the Future: The Brain Can Change
At Stowell Learning Centers, we have seen countless children and adults overcome learning challenges. The brain is capable of creating new, stronger connections with the right intervention.
Meet Raquel – Diagnosed with ADD in third grade but later found to be dyslexic. After seven weeks in our summer program, she went from a first-grade reading level to a fifth-grade level. She later graduated college with a 3.95 GPA in geologic engineering.
Your child can have the same success. The struggles do not have to be permanent.
Take the First Step
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why is my smart child struggling?”
If you’ve felt frustrated by homework battles and low confidence…
If you’re looking for real solutions beyond “just try harder”…
You’re in the right place. Let’s work together to unlock your child’s full potential.
Call us at Stowell Learning Centers or visit stowellcenter.com for a FREE consultation.
The road to success starts today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I know if my child has dyslexia or just needs more practice reading?
If your child struggles to sound out words, remembers stories but can’t read them, or avoids reading, it could be dyslexia. A proper evaluation can determine whether it’s a skill gap or a processing challenge that needs intervention.
My child’s teacher thinks they have ADHD. Could it be something else?
Possibly. ADHD symptoms overlap with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and auditory processing challenges. If your child can focus on play or hands-on activities but loses focus with reading or writing, the issue might not be ADHD but a learning challenge that needs support.
Will my child ever outgrow these struggles?
Learning challenges don’t go away on their own, but the brain can change. With the right training and strategies, students can build strong reading, writing, and attention skills to become independent learners.
What can I do at home to help my child?
Simple activities like Neurological Impress Reading (NIR), Cross Crawls, and Lazy Eights for Writing can help. Spend just ten minutes a day on structured reading and movement exercises to support brain development.
How long does it take to see improvement?
Every child is different, but many students show noticeable improvements in weeks to months with the right intervention. At Stowell Learning Centers, we see students gain years of skills in months with targeted training.
Can dyslexia, dysgraphia, or ADHD really be corrected?
Absolutely. Struggles with reading, writing, and attention are not lifelong sentences. The right brain training can build new neural pathways, making learning easier and more natural.
Where can I get my child evaluated?
If you suspect dyslexia, dysgraphia, or ADHD, getting the right evaluation is key. We offer functional assessments at Stowell Learning Centers to determine the root cause of your child’s struggles and create a custom plan for success.
Still Have Questions?
Call us at Stowell Learning Centers for a free consultation.
Drop your questions in the comments below—we’re here to help.
Share this post with other parents who need to hear this message. Let’s change the narrative about learning differences together.
Ready to take the next step?
Speak to a Learning Specialist to learn more about the results from students and parents at Stowell Learning Centers.