Stuttering, ADHD and the Male Brain
Research and data from 2024 through 2026 indicate that young male brains have been affected by both the direct physiological impact of COVID-19 and the environmental stressors of the pandemic lockdowns. Below you will find research articles, handouts and more information on why this may be occurring and how we can help here at Happy Place.
01
Stuttering and Boys Post COVID 19 Pandemic
Boys are naturally 3 to 4 times more likely than girls to have a persistent stutter. Because this demographic is already at higher risk, the environmental stressors of the pandemic resulted in a more visible impact on boys. Check out the handout below.
02
ADHD and Boys
The study indicates a sustained high rate of ADHD diagnoses even after the initial COVID-19 spike. Females showed a higher ADHD diagnoses compared to males, but stimulant medication use remained consistent across genders. No significant age differences were observed between males and females with ADHD. Further research is needed to explore the reasons behind these gender differences and to evaluate their implications.
03
Literacy and Boys
Persistent Learning Gaps: As of 2025, the average U.S. student remains approximately half a grade level behind pre-pandemic achievement in reading.The U.S. is facing a severe children's literacy crisis post-pandemic, with recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores showing record lows, especially for 4th and 8th graders, with over a third reading at "below basic" levels, marking a continuation and worsening of pre-existing trends. Literacy, phonological awareness and speech development correlate. Check out the handout below about the correlation between Speech development and literacy.
04
Social/Pragmatic Skills and Boys
In 2026, data continues to show that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the social development of teenagers, with approximately 45% of parents reporting a negative impact on their child's social skills. While some adolescents have adapted, many continue to experience "rusty" or regressed social abilities due to prolonged isolation during critical developmental years.
Check out the handout below on how this has impacted the male brain, social/pragmatic skills and speech.
