Adaptive and Psychological Functioning in Adolescents With Specific Learning Disorders and ADHD

There is a high comorbidity between specific learning disorders (SLD) and ADHD, and each condition independently has been linked to negative psychosocial factors during adolescence and young adulthood. However, limited research has examined whether ADHD confers additional risk among adolescents with SLDs. This question is particularly important in adolescence, a developmental period marked by increasing academic, social, and adaptive demands that can influence long-term functioning. The current study examined, in a large clinical sample, whether ADHD in the presence of one or more SLDs is associated with greater psychiatric symptoms, social or adaptive weaknesses, as well as whether having multiple SLDs is associated with additional risk. Results indicated that adolescents with ADHD and SLD showed higher levels of parent-reported psychopathology and greater adaptive weaknesses compared to those with SLD alone. A smaller exploratory analysis with teacher reports indicated more school-related difficulties in the ADHD + SLD group, particularly attention problems. Findings highlight the importance of identifying ADHD in youth with SLDs and underscore the need for further understanding on how to support this population.