When we talk about attention, we are talking about two different kinds of abilities: The ability to focus on a specific task put in front of us to do, such as school work, and the ability to pay attention in a more global sense to the world around us, to be able to pay attention to the buzz of the lights overhead, and the touch of the clothes on your skin, and the children playing outside of the classroom. These are two different kinds of attention.
One definition of "paying attention" is "sustaining and selecting to the right cue." One part of this definition is that the child has to pick the right thing to pay attention to. That's the "selecting" part of the definition.
A better word might be "filtering." The brain is supposed to filter out distractions, or stimuli which compete for our attention, but might not be important at that moment. Many children with attention problems pay attention to everything in the world around them equally, such as giving equal time to the touch of the clothes on their skin, the buzz of the lights overhead, the kids outside the classroom, and the math worksheet in front of them. This, of course, is a problem if he needs to be paying attention to only a math worksheet or a similar task.
Many children with Attention Disorders have trouble concentrating on the specific task in front of them, especially if they are working on something like school work or chores that are only moderately interesting, or not interesting at all. These kids have to be very motivated, very excited, very interested in what they're doing in order to pay attention.
This Is NOT My Child...
Now, you might be thinking, "This is not my kid. I have a kid who could play Nintendo, and be so focused that the house could burn down around him, and he'd never notice."
Well, that could be. A lot of these kids could do just exactly that. Nintendo is interesting, its challenging, and its fun. Kids get immediate feedback, they could play Nintendo for hours. But just put a math worksheet in front of them and see how different it is. They have a terrible time paying attention to something that's not interesting or that's not motivating, which accounts for about 85% of school work, and about 100% of chores.
Part of the problem with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a lack of FLEXIBILITY with attention. A person without ADHD has the ability to shift from attention that is focused on a specific task at hand to the kind of attention that is global many times in just a few seconds. At will those without ADHD can shift from reading a book, to scanning the room to know where our kids are and what they are doing, and then very quickly returning to focus on our reading. Without ADHD we have flexibility in our ability to focus. We can shift from specific focus to global focus at will and very quickly.
Individuals with ADHD do not have this same flexibility of focus. Those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have a very difficult time shifting from a global focus, such as they might have at recess or lunch break, to a specific focus that would be required when they return to the classroom to study math and work on the math worksheet in front of them.
This is why kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder could play Nintendo, be really focused on that task, and not notice the house burning down around them. Or you telling them to talk out the trash.
Paying Attention to the Right Thing
A second type of problem with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is sustaining attention to the task long enough to finish the task. We may call this "attention span." Many children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may be able to focus attention to the correct task for a while, but then can't sustain it for very long. Their "attention span" is very short for their age. Unless kept highly motivated, these children have a very hard time staying focused long enough to finish the work that they start.
They are often seen as fidgety, easily distracted, and "day-dreamers." These are the people who may start five different projects, but fail to finish any of them. They may begin to clean their rooms, but after a short time become distracted by their toys or baseball cards and forget all about the job that they are supposed to be working on. Often children like this are not impulsive or hyperactive. They just appear to be "space-cadets," unfocused, or lazy.
Children with only the Inattentive Type of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder tend to be females (60% females to 40% males). They are the least likely Attention Deficit Disorder subgroup to receive any help for their condition, especially the boys with Inattentive ADHD. Kids who are just ADHD Inattentive Type are like space-cadets. They are in a brain fog. They are like Winnie the Pooh. They are often seen failing to pay close attention to details, or having trouble keeping their minds focused on a task, especially with school work or chores. They often don't seem to be listening. They are often disorganized.
They often will try to get out of doing their homework because it is just such a boring task. They are the kids that will spend two hours to complete a 20 minute homework assignment, and then fail to turn it in to the teacher the next day because they have lost it in their back pack or sent it to the Bermuda triangle of homework assignments.
Parents and teachers can learn more about the different types of ADHD, and specific treatment strategies for each type, by visiting the ADHD Information Library.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
Teacher Tips: Dealing With Impulsive Behaviors From ADHD Students in the Classroom
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children! We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children, so here are your teacher tips for the week, brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchool.com.
Facts And Thoughts About Depression And ADHD In Children
ADHD means Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and it?s a condition that appears in some children and might affect their childhood, and even a large part of their life. The main thing that this syndrome does is that it doesn?t allow children to pay attention to what?s happening around them, or sometimes it is manifested by not being able to control their behaviors.
Cognitive Internet Site Offers New Hope for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Learning Disabilities (ADD, ADHD, LD)
AttenGo? Ltd. announced an online, adaptive, neuro-cognitive training program for the improvement of attention deficit disorder, memory loss and other cognitive impairments.
ADHD - Are there Treatment Options?
As an ADD coach I am often asked about the treatment options available for Attention Deficit Disorder. Generally when someone says "ADD" the first thing that will come to the layperson's mind is 'Ritalin' or an image of a hyperactive "Dennis-the-Menace" type.
Homeschooling For Adhd Child - How To Effectively Home School Adhd Child
How do you help your child with adhd at home? A child who has ADHD can be trying at the best times, and is especially onerous for the non-professional, and sadly, there is a severe lack of knowledge, awareness and indeed available information for the parents, 2 key topics which is often raised by parents are concerns regarding medication, as well as the suitability of homeschooling. Because children typically suffer from ADHD at around preschool age, then it is in their best interests to be homeschooled.
Fish Oil's Powerful Abilities Against ADD or ADHD
Does your child have problems concentrating or remaining on an activity? Impulsive? Then your child probably has a specific learning difficulty called Attention-deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD).
The Reticular Activating System, and its Role in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
In our last article about the neurology of ADHD we began to introduce the reader to the system in the brain known as the Reticular Activating System. The Reticular Activating System is the "attention center" in the brain.
Understanding ADD And ADHD
In the past, children that ignored their elders and could not seem to sit still were considered to be rambunctious or out of control and were oftentimes punished for their behavior Thanks to research and advances made in modern medicine, doctors have discovered that children that display this kind of behavior may be suffering form ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
What Should I Know About Strattera for ADHD?
Strattera came out around January of 2003, and is becoming more and more popular as a treatment for ADHD. Strattera is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that came on the market in 2003.
The Challenges Of Raising An Adhd Child
When you find out that your child has ADHD, it?s not uncommon to be shocked and concerned about what to expect. However, you should know that although ADHD can be limiting for a child, there are ways to manage it successfully. ADHD does not have to be the biggest factor in your life as a parent, nor does it define your child. Raising an ADHD child is achievable without losing your sanity with the right strategies and attitude.
Fat for Attention Deficit Disorder Treatment
Hyperactivity-is it normal behavior or ADHD(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/ADHD.html)? A little over-exuberance is expected in growing children, but what about when a tendency towards impulsiveness, a lack of concentration, and sometimes excessive physical activity are carried on into adulthood? Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD) is defined as age-inappropriate behavior, specifically:
ADHD: Pay Attention, Now
Over the past quarter century, the numbers of those diagnosed with ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) has increased dramatically. More sophisticated diagnostic tools and social acceptance of the malady may be a partial explanation.
How to Improve the Quality of Life for ADHD Children
ADHD or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder affects approximately 7.8% of the children in America and about 4.3% of these children are on medication for this disorder. ADHD greatly affects the quality of life of these children as well as their families.
The Help Group Summit 2007 Features More Than 20 Leading Experts in Autism, Learning Disabilities & ADHD
Two-Day seminar for professionals and parents to present cutting edge information in research and best practices.
Natural Alternatives to Treating ADHD
First always consult your doctor before giving any medication whatsoever. All medications have side effects and only your physician is qualified to prescribe medicines and treatments and to recommend dietary changes. We do not recommend any medications nor condone any treatments - only your doctor is qualified to do that.