Learning disabilities–including dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing), and dyscalculia (math)–are neurologically based processing differences that affect roughly 1 in 5 children and adolescents in the U.S. ADHD, although related, is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting executive functioning (planning, task initiation, time management) rather than processing. Collegewise’s Tandem program is designed to help students with ADHD and executive functioning challenges build the skills they need to succeed in high school, the college application process, and higher education.
Is your child struggling academically? Perhaps they have difficulty spelling, or they freeze up trying to understand a math equation. In some cases, these struggles are signs of an underlying learning disability that may be making the material harder to absorb.
Research suggests that approximately 2.4 million students nationwide–ages 3 to 21–have a learning disability. As this number continues to climb, so does the need for parents, educators, and support systems who understand how to recognize these differences early and help students build the skills they need to thrive.
In this guide, we’ll cover the most common learning disabilities, how executive functioning fits into the picture, the impact these differences have on students, and how parents, educators, and Tandem by Collegewise can support teens with ADHD and executive functioning challenges in navigating high school and gaining stronger access to higher education.
Specific learning disabilities (also called learning differences, SLD, or LDs) are neurologically based processing differences that affect how a person interprets, organizes, retains, and communicates information. A common misconception about LDs is that they reflect a lack of effort or intelligence. However, a learning disability means the brain handles certain kinds of information differently and is by no means a reflection of an individual’s self-worth or capabilities.
Learning disabilities exist on a spectrum. Some people are more accurately described as having a mild “learning difference,” while others have a more significant disability requiring remediation and daily accommodations. For simplicity, this guide uses “learning disabilities” and “learning differences” interchangeably to reflect that range.
The three most common learning differences are dyslexia (reading), dyscalculia (math), and dysgraphia (writing). These are typically identified through a psychological or psychoeducational evaluation and addressed with specific, structured programs tailored to the exact way a student’s brain processes information.
LDs may co-exist with other diagnoses and are frequently associated with the following:
ADHD itself is not considered a learning disability. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention regulation and executive functioning (EF) rather than brain processing. However, in everyday conversation, all of these deficits, disorders, and differences tend to be grouped under the umbrella of “learning disabilities” because they overlap so often and can create similar-looking struggles for young children and teens.
Early diagnosis and intervention are key to making sure an LD doesn’t go unnoticed. Being able to identify whether your teen has a learning disability or difference and to provide the right support helps your kiddo navigate these challenges more effectively.
Common characteristics of dyslexia include:
If several of these sound familiar or you suspect your teenager has dyslexia, a formal evaluation may be worth pursuing.
Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing and one’s ability to connect their ideas on paper. Common characteristics of dysgraphia include:
Dyscalculia follows a similar pattern to dyslexia and dysgraphia, but in which numerical or mathematical information is processed differently. Common characteristics of dyscalculia include:
Executive functions serve as the foundation for managing everyday life, and without nurturing these lifelong skills, teens can struggle to translate ideas or thoughts into action.
Common executive functions include:
Researchers at Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child make an important note about what is a biological or genetic inheritance as opposed to environmental influence:
“As essential as they are, we aren’t born with the skills that enable us to control impulses, make plans, and stay focused. We are born with the potential to develop these capacities—or not—depending on our experiences during infancy, throughout childhood, and into adolescence.”
That’s a meaningful reframe for parents. While students with LD often struggle with executive function, it isn’t exclusive to these individuals. A teen who struggles with task initiation or time management may not have a disability or cognitive disorder; they may be missing a set of skills required to perform a task successfully.
High school, college, and life increasingly demand strong EF skills. Even with built-in structure in high school, students are expected to learn how to self-study, manage their time, and set long-term goals. College removes all guardrails, expecting students to manage assignments and plan independently. And finally, well beyond school, executive function is what lets adults maintain jobs, manage a household, and maintain relationships. Building these skills is not just important; it is essential to ensure someone functions well for the rest of their lives.
Learning differences rarely stay confined to the classroom. Their effects can ripple outward, showing up in their academics, social lives, and emotional well-being.
Many students with LDs can face academic challenges, with these struggles intensifying as they progress to higher, more difficult levels of education. Common examples include:
Students with learning differences often need only small adjustments to their academic environment to feel more confident in their studies. In practice, this can look like:
LD students can achieve the same success as their peers. However, without individualized accommodation or support, LD students can face real systemic barriers that interfere with their development and access to education.
The long-term effects show up clearly in outcomes: high school graduation rates for students with LDs sit at roughly 71%, compared to about 87% for students overall. The gap widens further at the college level, with approximately 5% of college-level students with learning disabilities pursuing a four-year degree and even fewer actually graduating.
Students with learning differences or processing challenges often face a harder social landscape, too. Some common examples of social struggles include:
Research conducted by the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) also points to a harder reality for those with LDs: 50% of teens with learning disabilities reported being bullied by their peers because of their LDs.
The emotional toll can weigh heavily on LD teens. According to the U.S. Department of Education, children and students with disabilities experience higher rates of mental health challenges and are more likely to experience academic-related distress, anxiety, and depression. The frequent barriers can cause LD teens to struggle with stress, fear, frustration, shame, depression, lower self-esteem, and a lack of motivation.
Common signs that a teenager with learning differences may be experiencing mental health challenges include:
Research points to fairly specific places where parents and educators can focus. According to a national survey of young adults with LD conducted by the NCLD, overall well-being hinges on four main factors:
Here’s what that translates to in practical terms:
For many parents of students with ADHD and executive functioning challenges, a significant concern is whether their teen can develop the necessary skills to be successful in high school, college, and beyond.
For many students, the college admissions process and transition from high school to college can be challenging. The college planning process has many moving pieces–deadlines, college essays, supplemental requirements–and high school is built to catch a struggling student. The college planning process and college itself shift the responsibility onto the student to self-advocate and manage their own responsibilities. For students who learn differently, this can be an incredibly overwhelming experience.
That’s why Collegewise created Tandem, a college counseling program designed for teens with ADHD and executive functioning challenges. Tandem’s dual-expert structure gives students a dedicated college counselor and executive function coach, both of whom support students with the most complex components of high school and the college application process.
Tandem works as a long-term commitment to your teen’s success, ensuring that they don’t just build a college application to be accepted, but that they develop and retain the critical skills they need to succeed once accepted.
If you’re the parent of a student with learning disabilities, schedule a free consultation with us today to learn more about how our other college counseling services can support your teen.
The college admissions process is a high-stakes endeavor for students and parents alike. Getting it right matters for reasons that go well beyond the acceptance letter:
For families navigating ADHD or executive functioning challenges, Tandem is built to address those stakes directly:
No, ADHD is not a learning disability; it is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention regulation and executive functioning (EF) rather than brain processing. ADHD is often misdiagnosed as a learning disability because individuals can demonstrate similar symptoms.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is considered a developmental disability, not a learning disability. However, learning disabilities can co-occur with autistic individuals at a higher rate, with approximately 1 in 3 autistic people having a learning disability.
The three most common learning disabilities in the classroom are dyslexia (reading), dyscalculia (math), and dysgraphia (writing).
A tutor generally focuses on academic content, offering support on how students can understand the material itself. An EF coach focuses on the process around the content: planning, sequencing, and following through on work. Many students with LDs can benefit from both.
Tandem is offered to students as early as grade 9 and continues support through the first semester of college to ensure students receive support even after gaining college admission.
Some families may start to notice LD symptoms in middle school or early high school, around the time their child’s workloads increase. While there is no “right” time to seek support, the earlier a student receives support, the more time they have to build lasting habits.
Tandem is for families with children who have ADHD and executive function challenges.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Collegewise is not a medical practice, healthcare facility, or licensed clinical provider, and nothing in this article should be interpreted as medical, psychological, or diagnostic advice. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical, psychological, or learning-related condition, and it should not be used as a substitute for evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified physician or other licensed professional. If you suspect your child has a learning disability, ADHD, or another condition discussed in this article, please consult a licensed healthcare provider. Collegewise’s Tandem is not a clinical, therapeutic, or diagnostic service.
About Us: With more than twenty-six years of experience, Collegewise counselors and tutors are at the forefront of the ever-evolving admissions landscape. Our work has always centered on you: the family. And just like we’ve always done, we look for ways for your student to be their best self - whether in the classroom, the applications, or in the right-fit college environment. Our range of counseling, test prep, academic tutoring, and essay management, all with the support of our proprietary platform, lead to 4x higher than average admissions rates.