Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP
You may take it for granted, but the ability to pay attention helps all of us–including children–get through each day with ease. Attention is an executive function skill. It’s like a mental spotlight that allows us to focus on specific information while filtering out distractions.
If your child has trouble paying attention during daily tasks, they may benefit from working with a speech therapist, who can provide professional guidance for concentration difficulties. There are also simple strategies you can try at home to help your child with their attention problems. Let’s take a look at the causes of attention difficulties and what you can do to support your child.
What causes attention problems in children?
In children, problems with attention are often due to ADHD, brain trauma, or other conditions that cause cognitive decline. Of these causes, ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is one of the more common issues seen in children.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects 11% of children ages 4 to 17. Some signs of ADHD in children include:
Difficulty focusing on a specific task
Forgetfulness or problems with memory
Acting without thinking
Impatience or trouble waiting their turn
Struggling with impulse control
High amount of energy or activity
Interrupting or speaking at inappropriate times
Trouble following instructions
Fidgeting or squirming in their seat
5 ways to help your child with their attention
Whether your child’s attention problems are due to ADHD or another cause, there are many things you can do to help them at home with their concentration. These are called compensatory strategies.
All brains are different, and different strategies will help in different ways and at different times. Here are 5 compensatory strategies that often help children with attention difficulties.
1 Know your child’s attention limit and watch for signs that they need a break
You may notice times when your child is doing great and “firing on all cylinders.” Maybe they’re making it through their homework with ease, or they’re able to quickly complete the puzzle they’ve been working on.
Then there are times when your child has trouble thinking of words, makes miscalculations, or begins dropping items. These are signs that their brain is fatigued, and they’ll likely continue to make errors if they don’t take a break.
Next time you notice signs of fatigue, have your child pause for a break. It may help to build in time for breaks when your child starts a task, like a school project. Factor in extra time for the breaks they need. This is one easy strategy that can make a huge difference for your child.
2 Find the times of day when your child is most attentive, and complete demanding tasks then
Many of us can perform tasks better at certain times of day. If your child is a morning person, they might wake up ready to go, then start to take it easy as the day progresses. Or, your child might be slower in the morning and improve their focus as the day continues.
Try to schedule activities that need increased focus and concentration during the times when you know your child performs best. Let’s say your child needs to clean their room, but they’re having trouble getting it done in the evening. Shift their chore time to morning and see if that makes a difference.
3 Make sure your child is getting enough sleep
Being tired can make it harder for anyone to pay attention. Determine the amount of sleep that gives your child the best concentration and cognitive function. Every child is different, but it’s safe to say that going to bed at a reasonable time on most nights will help them get on a good sleep schedule. Sticking to this regular schedule is key. Check out this resource for recommended sleep times by age, from infants to teens.
4 Use a “visual cue” to help your child stay focused
Visual reminders can be a big help for people with attention issues. Try something like this: Next time your child is working on a task, put a brightly colored note card where they can easily see it to remind them to stay focused. The note card can have a picture on it, like a brain or a lightbulb. Or you can use any other attention-grabbing object that signals to your child that they need to stay on task.
5 Cut down on distractions
Sometimes kids simply need to decrease the distractions happening around them. If there’s too much going on or too many sounds, it can be hard for the brain to focus on the task at hand. You can help cut down on distractions by doing the following:
Give your child headphones or earplugs to reduce sound
Silence all electronic devices and notifications
Arrange your child’s work environment to get rid of visual distractions, like turning away from the TV or not working in front of a window
How can speech therapy help kids with attention difficulties?
If you think your child needs more support with their attention skills, talk to their pediatrician. They can recommend any testing or therapies that may be needed.
It’s not uncommon for people with attention problems, particularly ADHD, to have other communication difficulties.
Speech therapy is one type of therapy that can help children with attention problems. A licensed speech therapist can guide your child in working on activities that require increased concentration. They can also teach you and your child specific strategies to help with attention skills at home, at school, or when completing other tasks. The goal is to support your child so they can function in daily life as easily as possible.
It’s not uncommon for people with attention problems, particularly ADHD, to have other communication difficulties. These might include receptive and expressive language disorders, social communication disorder, or stuttering. Speech therapists can treat problems in these areas as well.
Don’t hesitate to talk with your pediatrician about your concerns. Difficulty with attention can cause stress and frustration both at home and at school. The sooner your child can get the support they need, the better.
