Bilingualism and ADHD

Main Chapters:

For most of the last century, in the US, bilingualism was considered a handicap, interfering with "normal" brain development. Some research indicates that bilingual children have smaller vocabularies and less fluent language than their monolingual peers. But for the last generation, the opposite narrative has held sway - that bilingualism leads to greater mental flexibility, more ability to avoid irrelevant stimuli, better self control, and more skillful planning.

If bilingualism is a detriment, that could compound the challenges of ADHD. If bilingualism improves executive functions, it could lessen the impact of ADHD.

So what does the actual data show? First of all, we don't have a lot of studies. Secondly, the results are all over the place, with some suggesting an advantage and others a disadvantage and the majority showing no major impact of bilingualism on how those with ADHD function. Basic neuroscience suggests a mulitutde of positive effects on brains from learning a second language, but the findings from neuropsychological testing are much less clear.

Despite good intentions, much of the research has fundamental flaws. ADHD and bilingualism both tend to be defined categorically, obscuring that both occur on a spectrum. Socioeconomic status, include financial, racial, and immigration status all confound groups defined as bilingual or multilingual. Publication bias favors studies that show results. And most of our executive function neuropsychologic tests don't seem to offer much help for deciphering what people do in the real world.

Learning a second language (or more) can broaden your circle of connections, and provide new ways of looking at the world. For most peopel, those are probably sufficient reasons to learn another language, rather than worrying about how it affects your ADHD or whether it will decrease your risk for dementia.

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Free link to my Medium Article on Bilingualism and ADHD:

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References:

The effects of bilingualism on cognition and behaviour in individuals with attention deficits: A scoping review (2022)

The Impact of Bilingualism on Executive Functions in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review Based on the PRISMA Method

Interaction of bilingualism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in young adults∗ (2017)

Full Chapter list:

Streamed live December 13, 2023

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Psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author John Kruse, MD, PhD presents practical, actionable, well-researched information about treatment options that scientists and clinicians recommend for adult ADHD and other mental health conditions.

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