When Challenges Reveal Advantages: Bilingualism Enhances Response Inhibition in Young Adults With ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has long been associated with deficits in executive functions, especially in inhibitory control. Conversely, bilingualism has been theorized to enhance inhibitory control due to the constant need to manage two languages. In this study, we examined how two types of inhibitory control, responsible inhibition and inhibition of interference, are influenced by bilingualism, ADHD, and their intersection in young adults. We examined response inhibition and inhibition of interference in 274 young adults using the Stop-Signal and Flanker Tasks. Bilinguals with ADHD showed enhanced response inhibition, particularly under high task demands. No group differences were found for inhibition of interference, where performance was high across groups. These results support the idea that bilingual advantages emerge under cognitive challenge—whether through aging, as previously documented —or in the presence of ADHD, as demonstrated here.Together, these findings refute the notion of a ‘double disadvantage’ for bilingual individuals with ADHD. This combination did not impose an additional burden and instead enhanced performance when cognitive demands were high. These findings highlight how linguistic and neurodevelopmental diversity can foster increased adaptability and challenge deficit-oriented narratives around both ADHD and bilingualism.Keywords: ADHD, bilingualism, inhibitory control, response inhibition, inhibition of interference, executive functioning, Stop-Signal Task, Flanker Task, bilingual advantage