Podcast Summary: I Have ADHD Podcast
Episode 396 — Hidden Dyslexia Struggles (and Why ADHD Might Not Be the Whole Story)
Host: Kristen Carder
Guest: Natalie Brooks (Founder, Dyslexia in Adults; Author, “Dyslexia Unlocked”)
Release Date: April 21, 2026
Episode Overview
In this engaging episode, Kristen Carder is joined by repeat guest Natalie Brooks to unpack the “hidden” struggles of dyslexia in adulthood, especially how they intertwine and overlap with ADHD. Natalie, sharing her experience as both a neurodiversity-focused adult coach and a person living with ADHD and dyslexia, offers insight into what dyslexia truly looks like beyond childhood and why recognizing it can be life-changing for many who think ADHD is “the whole story.” The conversation aims to de-stigmatize these conditions, clarify misconceptions, and equip listeners with practical tools for self-acceptance and advocacy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Natalie’s Journey: Writing a Book with Dyslexia and ADHD
Timestamps: 04:35 – 12:43
- The Surprising Feat: Natalie shares her journey writing “Dyslexia Unlocked,” emphasizing the challenges and supportive environment that made it possible.
- “My publisher is really calm... I would come with my chaotic energy, and they were just like, ‘It's gonna be fine. Don't worry about it.’” (05:39, Natalie)
- Personal Dyslexic Strategies: Natalie outlines the importance of separating ideation from execution/grammar, using bullet points, and relying on tools such as audiobooks during revision.
- “One of the things that...helped was putting bullet points down and then turning those into prose.” (08:03, Natalie)
- Task initiation remained a huge barrier: “I went to my psychiatrist... She was like, ‘So you want your medication increased?’ I was like, ‘I do.’ And that made a whopper of a difference.” (08:57, Natalie)
- Editing—The Ultimate Test: Reading and editing her own manuscript proved most exhausting, requiring energy management and sensory tricks like snacking to stay focused.
2. Understanding Dyslexia: Basics and Beyond
Timestamps: 12:43 – 17:36
- Defining Dyslexia in Adults: Not just “difficulty reading.” It includes challenges in working memory, phonological processing, executive function, and a unique “big picture” or image-centric way of thinking.
- “Someone with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia...they will all have executive function difficulties. That’s the central pillar of overlap.” (15:59, Natalie)
- Strengths, Not Just Shortcomings: Dyslexics often excel in pattern recognition and alternative problem-solving—qualities that are frequently underappreciated.
3. “Is This Me?” – Practical Indicators of Adult Dyslexia
Timestamps: 17:13 – 20:09
- Everyday Signs & Examples:
- Hesitating at push/pull doors and overthinking instructions.
- Delay in “getting” jokes or verbal punchlines (processing lag).
- Explaining concepts best through stories, color, or images rather than direct step-by-step verbal instructions.
- “You fake-laughed the first time, and then you real-laughed five seconds later... That’s that processing speed.” (18:36, Natalie)
4. Related Diagnoses: Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia, and Diagnostic Clustering
Timestamps: 20:09 – 24:48
- Distinguishing Terms:
- Dysgraphia: Fine motor skills (e.g., buttoning shirts, messy handwriting).
- Dyspraxia: Gross motor coordination, physical “clumsiness.”
- Dyscalculia: Math and numbers.
- Under the Same Umbrella?
- Many adults have more than one neurodivergent diagnosis; having multiple is the rule, not the exception.
- “The leaders in the research field are saying: the exception is to only have one diagnosis. The rule is to have three, four.” (21:32, Natalie)
5. What’s Broken in Current Diagnoses & How to Fix It
Timestamps: 24:48 – 27:32
- Diagnostic Silos: Systems separate ADHD, dyslexia, and others, despite shared executive function deficits.
- Natalie suggests combined, trait-based assessments rather than diagnostic silos for more realistic and compassionate support.
- “If I had $50 million...I’d have one central assessor who looks at all the neurodiversities so they can...diagnose ADHD, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, all at once.” (25:04, Natalie)
6. Executive Function: From Shame to Strategies
Timestamps: 27:32 – 31:56
- Transformative Knowledge: Discovering the role of executive function reframes “personal failings” as neurobiological traits and unlocks practical solutions.
- “I went from feeling like this perpetual mess to feeling such understanding of what was going wrong.” (27:56, Natalie)
- “Before I understood ADHD...everything I hated about myself...I’d been calling them character flaws.” (29:19, Kristen)
- Releasing Shame: Understanding executive function lets adults trade self-loathing for empathy and adaptive tools.
7. Moralizing Neurodiversity: Unpacking Societal Narratives
Timestamps: 35:36 – 40:39
- Historical Roots: The association of reading and writing “properly” with morality, class, and intelligence traces back to the invention of the printing press and societal Protestant work ethics.
- “Being able to read and write the correct way was this class-defining...thing about you. That's where it's got that moralistic element to it.” (36:23, Natalie)
- Societal messaging ingrains “try harder” as a solution, which often harms neurodivergent individuals.
8. The Normal Trap vs. Successful Neurodiversity
Timestamps: 40:39 – 42:07
- You Can’t Have Both: Trying to be “normal” sabotages the potential strengths of neurodivergent brains.
- “Do you want to be normal, or do you want to be a successful neurodiverse person? Because they’re not the same thing.” (40:54, Natalie)
9. Dyslexia & ADHD: How Common is the Overlap?
Timestamps: 44:23 – 48:04
- Stats—And Their Limitations: Formal studies suggest about 30% of dyslexics have ADHD, but Natalie experiences much higher overlap in practice due to diagnostic gaps.
- “The statistics are terrible. Most people are undiagnosed, and if they are, they usually have only one diagnosis.” (45:00, Natalie)
- Why Check for Both?: Understanding dyslexia could fill in the missing pieces for ADHD adults who still feel something’s “off.”
- If you feel misunderstood or experience pronounced disconnects in how you perceive the world, look into dyslexia.
10. Should Adults Seek a Dyslexia Diagnosis?
Timestamps: 48:29 – 53:25
- For Most, Self-Identification & Screening Are Enough: Adult diagnoses are costly, offer little practical support outside academic or licensing settings, and rarely translate to the modern workplace.
- “If you just want that understanding and self-awareness, then an online screener is definitely the right way to go.” (48:55, Natalie)
- Best Resources:
- UK: Dyslexia UK, British Dyslexia Association (BDA)
- US: International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
- Who Should Get a Formal Diagnosis?
- Those in academic settings, facing industry exams, or parents advocating for school accommodations.
11. About “Dyslexia Unlocked”: Natalie’s Book for Adults
Timestamps: 53:25 – 56:19
- Who It’s For: Overwhelmed, frustrated adults wanting clarity, strategies, and a language for dyslexic strengths.
- “It’s just, hopefully, this guide and manual that is going to give people answers, because the amount of information that is out there for adult dyslexia is just shockingly little.” (55:55, Natalie)
- Practical Focus: The book delivers actionable strategies for daily life: from communicating at work to handling emails and explaining your strengths.
- Notable Moment:
- Kristen misnames the book and Natalie teases her good-naturedly: “Sequencing is a big part of dyslexia, flipping things around...So I had a nice chuckle there.” (54:04, Natalie to Kristen)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Natalie on the Reality of Neurodivergence:
“The leaders in the research field are saying the exception is to only have one diagnosis. The rule is to have three, four.” (21:32)
- Kristen on Early Understanding of ADHD:
“Everything I hated about myself... Everything... I've been calling them character flaws.” (29:19)
- Natalie’s Humorous Anecdote on Book Writing:
“They asked me for 50,000 words, and I sent them 85. So they took the pressure off too much.” (07:54)
- On Letting Go of the Comparison Game:
“Next time you go into that annual review, I want you to remember there was a bum on the seat, it was warm, and there was a list. This is your list. And that's okay.” (31:56, Natalie)
- On the “Try Harder” Narrative:
“If you just try harder, which is your current approach, here's how things go wrong... so much of the book is saying...Bin that.” (38:23, Natalie)
- On Moral Judgment and Neurodiversity:
“We’re already being labeled. If we don’t assign it to ADHD, dyslexia, autism...we’re gonna label it ourselves: lazy, stupid, incapable, lazy.” (30:39, Kristen & Natalie)
Chapter Timestamps for Quick Navigation
- Intro & Natalie’s Background - 02:22 – 05:20
- Writing a Book as a Dyslexic Adult - 05:20 – 12:43
- Dyslexia 101 & Telltale Signs - 12:43 – 20:09
- Distinguishing Related Diagnoses - 20:09 – 24:48
- The Diagnostic System’s Flaws - 24:48 – 27:32
- Executive Function & Reframing Failure - 27:32 – 31:56
- Moral Narratives in Neurodiversity - 35:36 – 40:39
- Pursuing “Normal” vs. Embracing Neurodivergence - 40:39 – 42:07
- ADHD/Dyslexia Overlap Stats & Realities - 44:23 – 48:04
- Practical Self-Identification for Adults - 48:29 – 53:25
- About “Dyslexia Unlocked” - 53:25 – 56:19
Resources Mentioned
- Natalie’s Book: Dyslexia Unlocked (Bloomsbury, UK: April; US: June 2026)
- Dyslexia Screeners: British Dyslexia Association, Dyslexia UK, International Dyslexia Association
- Past Episode with Natalie: Episode 274
Tone & Language
The conversation is candid, relatable, and occasionally self-deprecating, providing hope and humor for adults struggling with neurodivergence. Both speakers are clear about the importance of self-compassion and shifting from shame to empowered strategy.
For those who haven’t listened:
This episode is a must for anyone who has ADHD and suspects there’s “something more,” or for those who want a map for adult life as a dyslexic. It’ll help you recognize neglected symptoms, embrace new strategies, and finally shake off the myth of “try harder” as a solution.
Key Instruction: If you recognize yourself in this discussion, check out online screeners, find community, and don’t minimize the importance of understanding your unique brain!
Episode ends with praise for Natalie’s work in spotlighting adult dyslexia, encouragement to buy “Dyslexia Unlocked,” and details about Kristen’s FOCUSED coaching program for adults with ADHD.