When It’s Not Always ADHD or Dyslexia: The Overlooked Role of Visual Processing

When a child struggles with reading, focus, or keeping up academically, ADHD and dyslexia are often the first things that come to mind. While these are valid and common diagnoses, there’s another piece of the puzzle that can sometimes be the root cause—or part of it: a visual processing disorder.

A visual processing disorder isn’t a learning disability like dyslexia, nor is it an attention disorder like ADHD. Instead, it affects how the brain interprets visual information. Children with this challenge may:

• Mix up letters like “b” and “d”

• Skip lines while reading

• Lose their place on a page

• Work slowly on visually demanding tasks

• Seem inattentive when the task requires a lot of visual tracking

These difficulties can easily be mistaken for signs of ADHD or dyslexia.

Sometimes, a child may have ADHD or dyslexia along with a visual processing issue, which can compound their challenges. But in other cases, the visual processing difficulty is the primary issue—and what looks like inattention or weak reading skills is actually rooted in how the brain handles visual input.

That’s why comprehensive evaluations are essential. They help us look beyond surface symptoms and identify whether a child’s struggles are due to ADHD, dyslexia, a visual processing issue—or a combination. Understanding the full picture ensures the right supports are put in place, so each child can reach their full potential.

Cristina Newell, M.Ed., NCED