Attention and concentration are important skills for children to be able to interact and engage appropriately in a variety on environments. When children struggle with these skills it can greatly impact on their academic performance regardless of their intellect. It can also cause difficulties with organisation and their ability to complete daily routines/tasks such as getting ready for school due to being easily distracted or in their own world.
Often children who struggle to attend in class and are told off for not paying attention, or for bad behaviour, however it is likely that there are underlying difficulties that are preventing them from developing the required skills. These include difficulties with;
- Sensory processing
- Self regulation
- Core strength and muscle tone resulting difficulties physically managing a full school day.
- Following instructions
- Planning skills
- Lack of motivation
Poor attention and concentration may also indicate an underlying learning difficulty or disability.
If your child is having difficulty with these skills an Occupational Therapist can assist you to determine the underlying causes and therefore provide support to further develop these skills.
Diagnoses or conditions that result in Attention and Concentration difficulties can be:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Asperger’s Syndrome
- Sensory Processing Disorder
- Low Muscle Tone
- Lax Ligaments
- Oppositional Defiance Disorder