Attention

Lisa OHalloran CDS-DT Developmental Diagnostics WWW.DDIKids.Com

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What are we doing here?

What Today Is Not:
General esoteric definitions College level course on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Editorializing/ Personal opinions Selling Diagnosing your child

What Today Is:

Research based information Specific factors that affect attention and what to do about them Functional practical applications for your child

Your Goal Today

Your goal today should be to leave with a laundry list of things to do/not do at home to help improve your childs attention. Each Child is different so not everything offered today will fit your child. The suggestions are not personal. However, all suggestions are researched based.
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Back Ground
Over twenty years in the education field. Degrees in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. Teacher certified through the State of Illinois, Florida and Wisconsin Credentialed Developmental Therapist for the State of Illinois. Past Vice President of Illinois Developmental Therapy Association Helped design and facilitate gifted education programs at a district and county wide level. Early Childhood Educator Child Development Specialist-CDS Behavioral/ Educational diagnostician and consultant Developed learning programs from a developmental neuropsychological perspective with a focus on cognitive processes, school readiness, problem solving, memory and attention. Have tested over 5,000 children for the State of Illinois
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Agenda
*Definition *Factors Effect Attention
1. 2. 3. 4. Cognition Task Persistence Activity Level A Filter/Highlighter

*How long should my child attend? *Typical/Atypical Attention Span

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What is Attention
Attention is the way we actively process specific information present in our environment. As you are reading this, there are numerous sights, sounds and sensations going on around you the sound people in the other area, the movement out of the corner of your eye, movement out of the windows, the brightness of the lights, the tag on the back of your shirt, the memory of a conversation you had earlier with a friend. How do we manage to experience all of these sensations and still focus on just one element of our environment?
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To Have Strong Attention Skills You Need:

1. A well developed ability to respond to an increased variety and complexity in a task (cognition). 2. Organize a goal directed activity (task persistence) 3. Inhibit extraneous motor activity to accomplish that goal 4. A Filter / Highlighter
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The Attention Puzzle

Task Persistence

Cognition

Normalized Activity Level

A Filter/Highlighter

Cognition

Cognition
perception + learning + reasoning

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Pillars of Cognition
Nutrition Physical exercise Sleep Mental exercise

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Required: A well developed ability to respond to an increased variety and complexity in a particular task (cognition).

3 3+2 3-2 3X2 3>2 32 3(A+3 2)

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Pillars of Cognition Nutrition Physical exercise Sleep Mental exercise

One way that we improve cognition is Mental Exercise

in other words
HOMEWORK

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Its really hard to get my child to sit down and do their homework

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Homework Tips and pointers

1. 2. 3. 4.
5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

14.
15. 16.

Start with a regular time Assigned place, prepared and ready to start (not in bedroom or kitchen) Dont give a choice unless you mean it Start with a goal that is guaranteed to achieve. That will make others more appealing and continued success more likely. Don't pay every accomplishment with a prize. Sometimes verbal praise is enough. Sometimes the task is so challenging it deserves a reward Be prepared to teach. Even if you have the best teacher you may need to fill in the blanks That may mean skimming the textbook yourself. Provide adequate practice-OVERLEARN. Dont fall for the we already did that complaint Provide variety-if a child starts to fidget over math take a spelling break For children who have a higher activity level, have hard to chew snacks on the table: beef jerky, carrots, nuts, tootsie rolls, stale licorice Limit all distractions: music, tv, phones, pets, siblings Be available, check accuracy, insist on corrections ALL assignments need to be done, including missed assignments Sit on an inflatable pillow filled with a small amount of air. This allows for movement while doing seat work without leaving the desk. 5 minutes of swinging or climbing during outside play time before having to concentrate on a task such as homework. Rhythmical, sustained movement e.g., marching, washing windows/tables or bouncing can be organizing to the central nervous system. Drinking from water bottles kept at desk.
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My Child gets distracted at home when doing homework.

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Even if its not every day

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When should I hire a tutor?

Pillars of Cognition Nutrition Physical exercise Sleep Mental exercise
1. The school recommends it 2. Homework sessions are frequently unpleasant 3. The rest of the family is suffering because of excessive time spent with one child 4. Job demands = challenging schedule 5. Material is not at mastery expectations
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Benefits of a Tutor:
Increases mastery of academic skills Improves confidence due to increased feedback and encouragement Improves students attitudes toward school One on one instruction Instruction tailored to specific learning styles and needs Instruction free of competition students can progress at their own pace
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What Should a Tutor do?

A good tutor is a tutor who uses strategic tutoring to help a child not only improve his or her grades on assignments, quizzes, and tests but who also teaches him or her how to master the skills necessary to learn the subject on his or her own. Thus, the goal of private tutoring for remedial purposes should be to teach the student how to learn the subject for which he or she is being tutored so that he or she ultimately no longer needs the assistance of the tutor. .
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More Successful
Educator trained and educated in the subject matter

Less Successful
Layperson with little to no training or education

Strategic tutoringwhere students are not only prepped for assignments, quizzes, and tests but are also taught how to master the learning strategies necessary for the particular subject

Assignment Based Tutoringwhere students are only given assistance on specific assignments assigned by their teacher as class work or as homework

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How long should it take to see benefits?

Although the time required for each student to master these skills varies, results from strategic tutoring can be expected within eight to ten weeks of individualized one-on-one tutoring sessions occurring at least one hour per week during that time frame

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I work crazy hours and cant always supervise my childs homework

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I work crazy hours and cant always supervise my childs homework

1. 2. 2. 3.

Call and meet with the teacher High school study partner Rotate study buddies Eliminate after school tv, facebook so they babysitter can get this done. 4. Have the sitter take the children to the library after school
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Pillars of Cognition Nutrition Physical exercise Sleep Mental exercise

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Breakfast research. Breakfast eaters are likely to achieve higher grades, pay closer attention, participate more in class discussions, and manage more complex academic problems than breakfast skippers. Breakfast skippers are more likely to be inattentive, sluggish, and make lower grades. Whether or not children eat breakfast affects their learning, but so does what they eat. Children who eat a breakfast containing carbohydrates and proteins tend to show better learning and performance. Breakfasts high in carbohydrates with little protein seem to sedate children rather than stimulate their brain to learn. Children eating high calcium foods for breakfast (e.g., dairy products) showed enhanced 27 behavior and learning.

BRAIN BUILDERS

BRAIN DRAINERS

Avocados Bananas Beef Broccoli Brown rice Yogurt Cantaloupe Cheese Chicken Turkey Eggs Legumes Milk Tuna Oatmeal Oranges Peanut butter Peas Potatoes Salmon Soybeans Spinach Wheat germ Brussel sprouts Collard greens Romaine lettuce Flaxseed oil

Artificial food colorings Artificial sweeteners Colas Corn syrup Frostings High-sugar "drinks" Hydrogenated fats Junk sugars White bread

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Eat To Think
Modify your child's diet before beginning a task. Don't allow your child to eat large meals or meals that consist of heavy foods before a thinking task. This decreases energy rather than boosting it, making her feel sluggish and tired. Instead, offer her light snacks and meals that are nutritious and give her the energy to concentrate.
When to do homework?

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Sugar and Attention

While many kids bounce off the walls after eating junk food, there is no evidence that sugar is a cause of attention problems. The role of food additives is less certain. Some parents believe preservatives and food colorings worsen a childs attention span. The American Academy of Pediatrics says it's reasonable to avoid these substances. One brain researcher recommends kids with attention problems steer clear of red and yellow food colorings, MSG, and aspartame.
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Many health experts believe foods that are good for the brain could reduce symptoms of a poor attention span. High-protein foods, including eggs, meat, beans, and nuts, may improve concentration. It's also helpful to replace simple carbs, like candy and white bread, with complex carbs, like pears and whole-grain bread. Talk to your pediatrician before making any dramatic changes to your child's diet.
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Allergies
Clinical studies have shown that untreated allergies can make it difficult to stay alert and focused and thus think clearly. In a recent study, 300 people were given seven tests to measure attention, focus, and alertness. There were three groups of participants: people without allergies, allergy sufferers treated with placebo, and allergy sufferers who took a non-sedating antihistamine to treat allergies. In seven out of seven tests, allergy sufferers who took a daily allergy medication performed no differently from people who did not have allergies. Yet the score of the allergy sufferers treated with placebo was statistically worse in terms of working memory, concentration sustained attention, speed and accuracy.

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The Attention Puzzle

Task Persistence

Cognition

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Organize a goal directed activity

(Task Persistence)
GET IT DONE ITS NOT OVER TILL ITS FINISHED
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Persistence
Persistence is the ability to stay with a task for a reasonably long period of time. While very young children cannot concentrate on one activity for an hour, there are still measurable differences in the length of time that young children will engage in an activity. A highly motivated child will stay involved for a long period of time, whereas an unmotivated child will give up very easily when not instantly successful. Children learn persistence when they are successful at a challenging task. The art in building persistence is in offering a task that is just challenging enough, but not overwhelming.

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How to encourage persistence

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Chores
Benefits Responsibility (task completion) Job performance skills (task completion) Following directions (cognition) Classification (highlighter) Excuses Too busy in sports Poor quality of work Already on school overload Not worth the battle
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Ages 2 and 3 (whats a chore?) Make the bed Pick up toys and books. Take laundry to the laundry room. Help feed pets. Help wipe up messes. Dust with socks on their hands.

Ages 6 and 8 (Not really liking chores but I like independence) in addition to the ones above Take care of pets Vacuum and mop Take out trash. Empty dishwasher Pull weeds Vacuum window sills

Ages 4 and 5 (I like chores) in addition to the ones above Clear and set the table. Dust Help cooking and preparing food. Carrying and putting away groceries Separating laundry Hanging clothes Empty trash in the bathrooms Water plants

Ages 9 and 12 (Not really liking chores but I am responsible) in addition to the ones above Help wash the car Clean the bathroom Rake leaves. Operate the washer and dryer

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More ways to encourage persistence

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Puzzles
Developing Persistence When a child works on a puzzle until completion the child is developing persistence. Once the puzzle is solved the child can feel a sense of accomplishment which boosts his motivation to complete a task. Examples: jigsaw, models, science project, craft projects
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More tips to work on task persistence

Read Chapter books (age appropriate) Start with shorter books and move on to longer ones. Raking leaves into piles Designate a small area for your child to rake into one pile. Increase the area she rakes and the number of leaf-piles to make. Building toys: Knex, Lego, Erector Set: These toys come with instructions for building easier to harder constructions. The more complicated the construction, the more concentration it will take to read the instructive diagram and finish all steps required. Learning sports skills through clinics or small group coaching A child who is a tennis or baseball lover might enjoy focusing on step-by-step athletic skills development, (i.e. pitching, tennis serves, etc.) Learning sports skills through clinics or small group coaching A child who is a hockey or soccer lover might enjoy focusing on step-by-step athletic skills development. Frosting a cake Start with just showing how to spread frosting in nice even strokes. Move on to piping icing or other cake decoration ideas, too.
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More tips to work on task persistence

Sewing and needle-threading, crocheting, cross-stitching Thread largeeyed needles first, then smaller needles. Draw dotted lines on a piece of scrap fabric for your child to stitch on when shes first learning how, then move on to real sewing, stitching or crocheting projects. Painting A painting class can force your child to concentrate on hand-eye coordination to paint a still life and pay close attention to his brush strokes.

Concentration Meditation! A yoga for children class will help your child learn to concentrate on her own body her breathing, her muscle groups and even her own thought processes.
Making bread dough by hand This is a wonderful parent-child activity. Making a real bread dough from scratch requires following many steps in a certain order and time frame. Kneading dough by hand also forces the baker to concentrate on how the dough feels too sticky, not malleable enough, etc. Try harder dough recipes like sourdough or focaccia bread.

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More tips to work on task persistence

Encourage finishing tasks to completion. Teach your children to finishing a chapter rather than putting a book down mid sentence or to finish a section of crocheting before putting her scarf away. Seeing a task through to completion is an important step in improving concentration and can help develop a longer attention span.
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More tips to work on task persistence

Discourage interruptions. If you see your child is concentrating on making his erector-set helicopter, dont interrupt him to ask him what he wants for dinner. Make it a household rule that we dont interrupt when someone is working or concentrating.

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Video Games

Do Video Games improve Task Persistence?

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Segway into Media

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Video Games

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Video games have led to an epidemic of youth violence.

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Can this be your house?

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Twenty two men, line them up, load down with heavy equipment, have them jump on each other. They need to grab each other, run into each other, throw each other to the ground. This has lead to brain injury, paralysis and death. what do we got?
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Video games have led to an epidemic of youth violence.

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Video games have led to an epidemic of youth violence.

According to federal crime statistics, the rate of juvenile violent crime in the United States is at a 30-year low. Researchers find that people serving time for violent crimes typically consume less media before committing their crimes than the average person in the general population. It's true that young offenders who have committed school shootings in America have also been game players. But young people in general are more likely to be gamers 90 percent of boys and 40 percent of girls play. The overwhelming majority of kids who play do NOT commit antisocial acts According to a U.S. Surgeon General's report, the strongest risk factors for school shootings centered on mental stability and the quality of home life, not media exposure.
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Will video Games enhance Cognition?

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Will video Games enhance Cognition?

A host of new studies suggest that video games build rather than diminish cognitive skills. Even a relatively simple tiling puzzle like tetris has been shown to boost brainpower. Game Playing promotes: planning, flexibility, and decision makingthat are known as executive functioning. Games require players to follow rules, think tactically, make fast decisions and fulfill numerous objectives to win. 3(A+3 2)

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Will video Games enhance Cognition?

In his book, What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy, James Gee (professor at U of W) describes game players as active problem solvers who do not see mistakes as errors, but as opportunities for improvement. Players search for newer, better solutions to problems and challenge. They are encouraged to constantly form and test hypotheses.
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Will video Games enhance Cognition?

More research out of University of Wisconsin: Cognitive benefits of playing video games: pattern recognition, system thinking, even patience. All required for cognition

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Will Playing Video Games dampen social skill development?

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Will Playing Video Games dampen social skill development?

Chicago-based psychologist Dr. Kourosh Dini argues that video games can teach us empathy. One of the aspects of many games is youre interacting with other people in such a way that you have to actively think about what the other people are doing or thinking in order to either play against them or play them cooperatively. Either way youve got to be engaged in trying to think of how is this person learning and whats this person going to be doing next.
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Will Playing Video Games dampen social skill development?

Much video game play is social. Almost 60 percent of gamers play with friends. Thirtythree percent play with siblings and 25 percent play with parents. Even games designed for single players are often played socially, with one person giving advice to another holding a joystick according to Sociologist Talmadge Wright (Loyola University)
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Concerns about video gaming are exaggerated.

In a USA Today article, Kevin Maney discusses some of the social research that indicates that concerns about video gaming are exaggerated. This does not mean, however, that game play should be completely unsupervised, especially for younger children, or that it should be unlimited or that it should interfere with homework, chores or other responsibilities. As much as many of us like the idea of our kids reading good books, we wouldn't allow the younger ones to read anything they like, to do nothing but read, or to read so much that they neglect chores and homework. The same should be true of computer and video gaming.

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moral panic
The

moral panic over violent video games is harmful. It has led adult authorities to be more suspicious and hostile to many kids who already feel cut off from the system. It also misdirects energy away from eliminating the actual causes of youth violence and allows problems to continue to fester.

Henry Jenkins- MIT Professor

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Negatives Of Videogames
Loss of sleep (a pillar of cognition) Poor Diet (a pillar of cognition) Gender stereotyping (lessening but still present) Racial stereotyping (lessening but still present) The answer----know when to stop!
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Video Games Vs. TV

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 Watching television is a completely passive experience. The majority of TV viewers just tune in and start swallowing whatever is presented. Video Games require the ability to solve problems, use analytical thinking skills and react to fast changing situations. So over time, the difference between spending leisure time in the active experience of video gaming over the passive experience of television watching could be significant.
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HAVING SAID THAT

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How About TV?

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Stats
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF): 70% of infants and toddlers watch a screen an average of 2 hours a day kids under age 6 watch an average of about 2 hours of screen media a day, primarily TV and videos or DVDs kids and teens 8 to 18 years spend nearly 4 hours a day in front of a TV screen and almost 2 additional hours on the computer (outside of schoolwork) and playing video games
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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no television at all prior to age 2. A recent study (April 2004) indicated that there was a strong association between television exposure and ADHD at age 7. Research has shown that as the amount of time spent watching TV goes up, the amount of time devoted to learning and physical activities decreases (two of the pillars of cognition). Child development specialists and teachers notice a pattern of behavior in young children exposed to too much television which includes inattention to face and voice of adults, lack of response to verbal directions, clumsy gross motor and fine motor skills, difficulty with speech sounds, poor impulse control.

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Attention and the television

Watching television more than two hours a day early in life can lead to attention problems later in adolescence, according to a large long-term study. The roughly 40% increase in attention problems among "heavy" TV viewers was observed in both boys and girls, and was independent of whether a diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder was made prior to adolescence. -Journal of pediatrics
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Possible Explanations
rapid scene changes in TV programs may over stimulate the developing brain, children who watch a lot of television may become less tolerant of slower-paced and more mundane tasks, such as school work

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Possible Explanations
TV viewing may supplant other activities that promote concentration, such as reading, games, sports and play.

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Possible Explanations
The lack of participation inherent in TV watching might also condition children when it comes to other activities.

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What about educational TV?

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The Walt Disney Co. and Brainy Baby Co. was forced by the Federal Trade Commission to refund money for all Educational Videos as they were not found to be educational. Estimates from The Washington Post and Business Week cite that Baby Einstein controlled 90 percent of the baby media market, and sold $200 million worth of products annually. This included: Baby Einstein Baby Mozart Baby Galileo

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My child needs the TV to unwind

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Young children are mesmerized by the TV screen, which negatively affects brain development and concentration.

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Background TV is even worse?

Leaving a small set on can have a profound effect on a child's attention span, and the supporting evidence for this finding is strong. "If a TV is on, children stay with a toy or activity for half the time they would if the TV wasn't on, and their attention is much less focused," according to the research.
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The Attention Puzzle

Task Persistence

Cognition

Normalized Activity Level

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Requirement for attention: Inhibit extraneous motor activity to accomplish a goal

The Conflict
Many children need to move to think. How can you move and still attend?

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OVERACTIVE TODDLERS SHOWN TO HAVE HIGHER IQ'S

A study of 3-year-old behavior showed that those who were labeled as "overactive, stimulation-seeking, and curious" scored 12 points higher on IQ testing and had better reading skills at age 11.
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 The highly active child will have a harder time in school, where he will be expected to sit still for several hours during the day. Most active children can make this adjustment, but some children just can't seem to sit still. They are constantly fidgeting, raising their hand, getting up, touching other students, even knocking over the desk.
Children who crave that extra movement need to be given that movement in order to sustain attention. Staying in from recess should not be in the teacher's repertoire of consequences for this child.

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Sports
Organized sports can help children get their energy out in healthy ways and focus their attention on specific movements and skills. Find a sport that your child will enjoy and that suits his or her strengths.
Pillars of Cognition Nutrition Mental exercise Physical exercise Sleep
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What Sport?
Sports that are better include constant motion: Hockey Martial Arts Soccer Speed skating Skiing Lacrosse Swimming Cross Country Sports with a lot of downtime may not be as effective: Softball Baseball Golf Diving Fencing

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Avoid problems by keeping active kids busy at home!

For kids active kids, idle time may make them more active and create chaos in your home: helping you cook playing a board game have a long term project chores
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Bubble Gum New Research

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Chew Gum?
Research conducted by Baylor College of Medicine studied the effects of chewing gum while studying and testing. The research found a link between gum chewing and higher math test scores in eighth graders.

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Chew Gum?
A study by Cardiff University indicates that gum chewing also facilitates learning by increasing alertness, including quicker reaction time and improved selective and sustained attention.

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Chew Gum?
Research conducted by University of Northumbria in Newcastle, UK, found that people who chewed gum throughout tests of both long-term and short-term memory produced significantly better scores than people who did not

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Other Good Oral Input Sources

Munch-Crunch Apples Carrot Sticks Cheerios Chips Chew Bubble Gum Dried Fruits Frozen Fruit Roll Ups Gummy Bears Gummy Worms Jerky Lemon Drops Licorice Sticks Long Suckers Marshmallows Graham Crackers Granola Pickles Pretzels Popcorn Raw Veggies Sweet Tarts Toast

Oranges Slim Jims Sugarless Gum

Non-Food Items: Straws Sports bottles chewlry

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Sometimes my child needs help winding down

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Provide a quiet place for the child who gets too wound up. This place should be used as a "decompression" spot (not as a punishment). When you see your child getting a little excited you can say"you know, it looks like you could use a quiet place now, you seem a little excited." The place should be quiet, comfortable, soft, and dim.
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Get a Tent
Create a quiet place. Make sure your child has a quiet, private space of his own as long as its not the same place as the child goes for a time-out. A tent can work well too.
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Pillars of Cognition Nutrition Mental exercise Physical exercise Sleep

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Sleep to think
A good night's sleep makes concentrating easier. "A good night's sleep is like pushing the reset button in your brain, says Edward Hallowell, M.D., author of "Crazy Busy. Sleep deprivation is a leading cause of inattentiveness.
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Sleep
TYPICAL SLEEP REQUIREMENTS IN CHILDREN (PER 24 HOURS)

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Very Active Kids Have a Harder Time Falling to Sleep

High activity levels can lead to overstimulation and trouble falling asleep.
Develop an appropriate sleep/awake schedule with a predictable routine. Decrease television time. Try to eliminate tv during the week. If you cant do that at least no tv within two hours before bedtime. Increase your child's activities and exercise levels during the day Eliminate caffeine from your childs diet. Cola drinks and chocolate have significant caffeine. No more rough housing or intense physical movement within two hours of bedtime Assure that the room invites sleep, aromatherapy, dim lights, white noise, rotating fan The time between dinner and bedtime should always be predictable and relaxed!
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The short waves of blue light may interfere with sleep. Turn off TVs, computers, and other blue light producers an hour before sleep. Cover any blue displays you can't shut off. Starting two to three hours before bedtime, dim the lights around the house. Lowering the lights signals your brain to produce melatonin, the hormone that brings on sleep

Starting two to three hours before bedtime, put aside any work, arguments, or complicated decisions. It takes time to turn off the emotional and intellectual "noise" of the day. Use a 15-watt bulb when reading in the last hour before bed. A dripping faucet, a siblings' cough, or a barking dog can add up to big-time sleep loss. Soothing "white noise" covers up bumps in the night. You can use a fan, an air-conditioner, or a white noise generator available in stores. Ear plugs also work.

A cat or dog's night moves can prevent you from settling into the deep sleep you crave. They can also bring fleas, fur, dander, and pollen to your bed, triggering sleep-wrecking allergies.

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The Attention Puzzle

Task Persistence

Cognition

Normalized Activity Level

A Filter/Highlighter

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Highlighter / Filter
Highlighter: Think of attention as a highlighter. As if you read through a section of text in a book, the highlighted section stands out, causing you to focus your interest on that area. Filter: Think of attention as a filter. As if it allows you to tune out information, sensations and perceptions that are not relevant at the moment and instead focus your energy on the information that is important.
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Without a highlighter

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Without a highlighter

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Really Needs a Highlighter

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Highlighter Interference
Multi-tasking affects the brain's learning systems, and as a result, we do not learn as well when we are distracted. Even if you learn while multi-tasking, that learning is less flexible and more specialized, so you cannot retrieve the information as easily. -UCLA Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Multi tasking
If you've mastered the art of multitasking, you probably feel you're getting more done in less time. Think again, experts say. Research suggests you lose time whenever you shift your attention from one task to another. The end result is that doing three projects simultaneously usually takes longer than doing them one after the other. Whenever possible, devote your attention to one project at a time, particularly if you're working on an intense or high-priority task. Save your multitasking skills for chores that are not urgent or demanding -- it probably won't hurt to tidy up your desk while talking on the phone.

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Highlighter Interference
Latest brain research suggests that learning facts and concepts will be worse if you learn them while you're distracted

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Eliminate/Reduce Multitasking in Learning

No music in the background! No TV in the background No phone on the table Turn off phone sounds (texts, emails rings)

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PURGE
Declutter and reorganize your own life. Keeping things organized around the house will create an atmosphere that's conducive to learning. When things are chaotic in the home environment, it increases stress and decreases the ability to pay attention the job at hand.

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The more easily distracted you are the shorter your attention span

My teacher said I dont pay enough attention in class, at least thats what I think she said

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Helping the distractible child at home:

Create a routine. Try to follow the same schedule every day, from wake-up time to bedtime. Post the schedule in a prominent place, so your child can see what's expected throughout the day and when it's time for homework, play, and chores.

Checklist. Have a Picture - Written checklist next to the childs area or door. Begin to cue them at an early age to go through their checklist. Get Organized! Put schoolbags, clothing, and toys in the same place every day so your child will be less likely to lose them.
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Helping the distractible child at home:

Avoid distractions. Turn off the TV, radio, and computer games, Phones should be in another area, especially when your child is doing homework. Limit choices. Offer a choice between two things (this outfit, meal, toy, etc., or that one) so that your child isn't overwhelmed and over stimulated. Change your interactions with your child. Instead of long-winded explanations and cajoling, use clear, brief directions to remind your child of responsibilities
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HELP!
Mornings are a nightmare
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Start with the night before

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Start with the Night Before

Evening Checklist

Start checking them off after dinner-this puts you in the winding down mindset

Breakfast

Lunch Fill out school forms

Money/show-n-tell Completed Homework Backpack Prepare clothes Set alarm clock
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Morning Checklist
Mon Get dressed Brush teeth Wash hands and face Eat breakfast Pack lunch bag (prepared the night before) Pack lunch money Brush and style hair Take morning medications Pack jacket, umbrella, hat, etc. Go to the bathroom Bring Backpack Kiss parents good-bye :) Have a great day! Tue Wed Thurs Fri

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Other tips to stay on task

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Use clocks and timers. Consider placing clocks throughout the house, with a big one in your childs bedroom. Allow enough time for what your child needs to do, such as homework or getting ready in the morning. Use a timer for homework or transitional times, such between finishing up play and getting ready for bed.
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Helping the distractible child at school

Reduce seating distractions. Always have the child facing the teacher-No PODS! Provide a quiet area for seat work or consider a study carrel, stall, or cubicle. Use a homework folder for parent-teacher communications. The teacher can include assignments and progress notes, and you can check to make sure all work is completed on time. Supervise. Check that your child goes and comes from school with the correct books and materials. Sometimes kids are paired with a buddy to can help them stay on track. Be sensitive to self-esteem issues. Ask the teacher to provide feedback to your child in private, and avoid asking your child to perform a task in public that might be too difficult. Involve the school counselor or psychologist. He or she can help design behavioral programs to address specific problems in the classroom
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Could it be that my child is just bored?

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Boredom
Some of the tasks we have to do each day are more interesting than others. The boring ones may burn through your attention span in minutes, making you extremely vulnerable to distractions. Checking your face book page, resharpening your pencils, calling a friend can seem tempting if you're bored. Make a deal with your child: If you stay on task for a certain period of time, you earn a 10-minute break. Reward them with a favorite snack, or a walk outside. Boring tasks are easier to accomplish when you have something to look forward to.
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How Long Should My Child Reasonably Be Expected to Attend?

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4-5 minutes per year of a child's age 10 minutes per grade

Before School Age (while at home - not at preschool)
2 years old 3 years old 4 years old 8 minutes 12 minutes 16 minutes

School Age-Homework (not in class attention-not including reading)

Kindergarten 1st Grade 8 minutes 10 minutes

2nd Grade
3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade

20 minutes
30 minutes 40 minutes 50 minutes

6th Grade

60+ minutes

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Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder

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ADD Vs ADHD
They are synonymous. In 1987, ADD was changed to ADHD. So ADD was done away with and ADHD is now broken down into the following three categories: 1. Predominantly HyperactiveImpulsive Type 2. Predominantly Inattentive Type 3. Combined Type
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Hyperactive-Impulsive Type ADHD

difficult to be quiet, always fidgety, Interrupts when not appropriate, grabs things from people, very restless without patience for anything.

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Behaviors Associated with ADHD Hyperactivity:

often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat often leaves seat in the classroom or wherever remaining seated is expected often runs about or climbs excessively in situations where it is inappropriate often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"
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Inattentive Type ADHD

lack of attention to details that depict carelessness, concentration and listening problems, difficulty in following conversations, losing toys and forgetting about homework.

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Behaviors Associated with ADHD Inattention:

often fails to give close attention to details; makes careless mistakes in schoolwork and other activities often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or other duties often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework) often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencil, books, or tools) often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli often forgetful in daily activities

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Three key characteristics of ADHD: 1. Inappropriate levels of inattention 2. impulsivity 3. hyperactivity These behaviors appear in school, at home and in social situations, and typically become worse in situations where sustained attention is required (eg. doing seat-work, studying, listening to people talk). The behaviors associated with ADHD usually become apparent before the age of four, but are frequently not recognized until the child starts school.

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Neurotransmitters
Children with ADHD have less activity in areas of the brain that control attention. They may also have imbalances in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. It's unclear what causes these irregularities, but ADHD runs in families, so many experts believe genetics play a role.

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Testing
There are no lab tests to detect ADHD. Instead, doctors rely on the patient's response to questions, the family's description of behavior problems, and a school assessment. With ADHD, a child must display some combination of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with his or her age. Onset of the symptoms need to have appeared no later than age 7.
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ADHD Cautions!!!!!!!!
many of the behaviors/characteristics of ADHD are present in all children to some degree and at particular ages the behaviors are not abnormal in themselves only when excessive for the child's age. what characterizes ADHD is the intensity, persistence, and patterning of the behaviors which significantly impairs social and academic activities.
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Who can diagnose ADHD?

Psychologists diagnose ADHD using criteria from the three characteristics of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. A child must show a significant number of the characteristic behaviors more frequently than expected for a child that age, in at least two different environments, and for at least six consecutive months. Onset of these behaviors should be before the age of seven. Since a child may show difficulties with sustaining attention for a variety of reasons, psychologists diagnosing ADHD will use a multidisciplinary approach involving parents, classroom teachers and other individuals who know the child.
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ADHD Helpful Tips:

only experienced psychologists can accurately diagnose ADHD. parents should be cautious not to diagnose their children after reading the characteristic behaviors of ADHD (be aware and concerned, but don't diagnose). seek advice from an experienced psychologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. all methods of treatment should be closely monitored.
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What causes ADHD?

There is very strong evidence of a genetic component. At least 1/3 of fathers who were diagnosed as having ADHD as children have children who are also diagnosed with ADHD. Siblings of ADHD children are 5 to 7 times more likely to demonstrate the disorder. The majority of identical twins share the trait. Nongenetic causes account for about 20 to 30 percent of ADHD cases, and include fetal distress, premature birth, maternal alcohol use during pregnancy, exposure to high levels of lead during early childhood, traumatic brain injury (especially injury of the frontal lobes) and sleep problems. There is NO evidence that ADHD is caused by food allergies, by watching too much TV, by excess sugar, by poor home life, or by poor schooling.
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