11. Communication problems with ADHD
Author: Ulrich Brennecke
Review: Dipl.-Psych. Waldemar Zdero
With ADHD, language problems can occur, such as excessive talking, slurred speech and confused language expression. The communication style is interest-focused and small talk is often perceived as boring.
11.1. Language problems with ADHD
- Speech diarrhea, talkativeness, word overload (Logorrheapolyphrasia)1
- Replies (e.g. e-mails) are sometimes excessive
- Answers digress from the topic
- Interlocutors barely get a word in edgewise (ADHD-HI subtypes)
- Speaking quickly and indistinctly2
- Linguistic expression often “confused”34
- Filled breaks
- Repetitions
- Revisions
- Aborted statements
- Difficulties with pronunciation5
11.2. Communication style with ADHD focused on interests
- Small talk is perceived as boring2
- People with ADHD quickly hyperfocus on topics that interest them2
Krause, Krause (2014): ADHS im Erwachsenenalter, S. 85, 61 ↥
Krause, Krause (2014): ADHS im Erwachsenenalter, S. 61 ↥ ↥ ↥
Bangert, Finestack (2020): Linguistic Maze Production by Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2019 Jan 22;63(1):274-285. doi: 10.1044/2019_JSLHR-19-00187. PMID: 31944883. ↥
Redmond (2014): Conversational profiles of children with ADHD, SLI and typical development. Clin Linguist Phon. 2004 Mar;18(2):107-25. doi: 10.1080/02699200310001611612. PMID: 15086133. ↥
Khodeir MS, Mohamed SM, Abdel-Fattah Hegazi M (2024): ’’Language profile among Arabic-speaking children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder“. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2024 Sep;184:112080. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2024.112080. PMID: 39178602. ↥