‘When someone gives me a blank canvas…’: After Spider-Man star Tom Holland reveals ADHD and dyslexia struggles, expert shares tools to cope

ADHD and dyslexia affect millions. Here’s how Holland and experts suggest tackling the hurdles.

Tom Holland on his ADHD and dylexia diagnosis (Source: Instagram/Tom Holland)

3 min readNew DelhiSep 7, 2025 07:30 PM IST First published on: Sep 7, 2025 at 07:30 PM IST

Spider-Man actor Tom Holland recently opened up about living with dyslexia and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), revealing how they shape his approach to acting.

In a conversation with IGN, Holland said, “I have ADHD and I’m dyslexic, and I find sometimes when someone gives me a blank canvas that it can be slightly intimidating.” He admitted that the biggest hurdles arise when developing a character.

To navigate these challenges, Holland explained that he taps into creativity through play. “Any way that you can, as a young person or as an adult, interact with something that forces you to be creative and forces you to think outside the box and make changes. I think that the more we do that sort of stuff, the better.” He also noted that this method helps him reconnect with his inner child and prepare for roles more effectively.

While this is the first time he has publicly spoken about ADHD, Holland has previously discussed his dyslexia diagnosis at age seven. Reading was a struggle, particularly spelling. On Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast in 2023, he said, “My dyslexia, it’s really just my spelling.” He credited his parents, Dominic and Nikki Holland, for their support, adding, “My spelling was really the biggest hurdle. I worked really hard at school. I didn’t do particularly well, but my parents said, ‘As long as you try your best.’”

How ADHD and dyslexia affect daily life

Gurleen Baruah, an adult ADHD coach, tells indianexpress.com, “ADHD and dyslexia can look slightly different—ADHD often shows up as trouble with focus, time management, or following through, while dyslexia is more about challenges with reading, spelling, or processing written words. But they often overlap in what we call executive dysfunction—difficulty planning, organising, or staying on task. For example, a student with ADHD might forget to hand in homework even though they did the assignment, while a child with dyslexia might spend hours dreading reading aloud in class.”

Baruah stresses these struggles aren’t about laziness but reflect how the brain processes information. Routines, planners, breaking tasks into steps, and using tools like audiobooks or text-to-speech can help.

Can creativity help?

“Yes, often more than we realise,” says Baruah. Creative outlets like painting, music, or drama can redirect restless energy into focus. “In therapy, I suggest a ‘creative mindfulness’ exercise where clients imagine their most cherished dream—like performing on stage—and immerse themselves in that scene for 10 minutes. This imaginative flow often lifts energy and focus, while boosting dopamine and reminding them of their capacity to thrive.”

Importance of parental support

Parental support is everything. Baruah notes, “Support also means speaking up for them at school, making small adjustments at home, and showing patience when they struggle. Tom Holland has often said his parents told him effort mattered more than grades; that message gave him the confidence to keep going. Without this kind of support, many children carry shame or feel “less than” well into adulthood. With it, they learn that their struggles don’t define them, and that they are capable in their own way.”