Many dyslexic children often suffer from other problems like ADD or attention-deficit difficulties. This means that the child has trouble in concentrating or shows certain behavioral problems. Dyslexics who suffer from attention-deficit disorders cannot concentrate on the main thing which they are dealing with at present; their attention wanders off to something which is of no relevance to them at that moment. This is due to the ‘filters’ in our brain which helps most of us to prioritize and concentrate on a particular thing one at a time and which is impaired in these children. The result is difficulty in listening, struggling to follow instructions, lack of concentration, getting easily distracted, poor organizational capabilities and poor memory.

Apart from genetic factors, certain foods/drinks can also induce allergic reactions making these children speedy and unable to get on with their work. Chocolates, sweets and colas along with food containing additives like crisps affect them negatively. Also, ‘diet’ drinks containing aspartame has a bad effect on their minds and certain throat lozenges which are popped so carelessly may also trigger off allergic reactions. They become ‘hyper’, ‘speedy’ or ‘overactive’ after the consumption of such food and drinks. One of the dyslexia strategies to tackle ADD would be dietary control in which children are encouraged to partake of non-additive food/drinks like fresh fruits, salads and cooked vegetables. A dyslexia school could put up bulletins advising parents on the correct diet for their children. This may help to alleviate ADD in dyslexic children to a large extent.