When we are little, we cannot pay attention for long, and we are not expected to! We also have lots of energy and do not think before we act, sometimes leading to hurt feelings, bruises, and scrapes.
As we grow older, we are supposed to get better at paying attention, sitting still, and thinking before acting. Some of us might take longer. For some kids, problems with paying attention, being too active, and acting without thinking can cause trouble at home and school.
What is typical?
It’s pretty common for kids younger than 6 to have trouble paying attention, sitting still, or thinking before doing something. But as you get older, we’re expected to do more. If you still cannot pay attention, sit still, or act calmly, we can have trouble in school and in activities or sports.
There are a bunch of reasons why you might have trouble paying attention, sitting still, or thinking before you do something, like:
- Not getting enough sleep
- Not eating well
- Not getting enough exercise
- Feeling scared or worried
- Feeling sad
- Spending too much time on a phone or other device
When should I be concerned?
We should worry about these problems if they cause trouble at home, with friends, or at school.
Signs of inattention:
- Not paying attention to details unless very interested.
- Making careless mistakes.
- Difficulty focusing on tasks, especially long or boring ones.
- Trouble finishing tasks.
- Trouble remembering to do things.
- Mind wandering when needing to focus.
- Not listening when spoken to directly.
- Difficulty planning and organising.
- Losing things often.
- Easily distracted.
- Forgetting things often.
Signs of hyperactivity:
- Trouble sitting still.
- Leaving seat when supposed to be sitting.
- Fidgeting or squirming.
- Trouble being quiet.
- Feeling the need to move constantly.
- Feeling restless.
- Being too active.
- Talking too much.
Signs of impulsivity:
- Answering questions before they’re finished.
- Difficulty waiting their turn.
- Interrupting others.
- Doing things without thinking.
Some kids have trouble with only a few of these things, while others have more. Usually, trouble paying attention also comes with being too active and acting without thinking. This can make it hard to do well in school and other activities.
What can I do if I struggle?
Dealing with these problems can be hard. Try these ideas:
- Ask for help: Talk to a parent, teacher, or another trusted adult.
- Talk to your teacher: They can help you at school.
- Organise and plan: Use calendars, planners, apps, and alarms.
- Do things you’re good at: This builds confidence. Sports and other active things can help too.
- Break down tasks: Make big tasks smaller and easier.
- Take breaks: Give yourself enough time for tasks and take short breaks.
- Remove distractions: Turn off TVs and phones to focus better.
What kind of professional support can I seek out?
Feeling embarrassed, inadequate, or guilty about inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity is common. But there is help available.
Doctors like paediatricians or family physicians can help if you are concerned about your symptoms. They can refer you to other specialists, including mental health professionals, which can also be helpful.
Public services are also available at your local clinic.
When looking for affordable services, it may also be helpful to explore local non-governmental organisations which offer services to families.
Local universities may offer services to the public as part of professional training programmes.
Please don’t give up if you don’t have success in your first attempts at getting help. Go back to the services listed above and look at our online list for additional resources or support. Your mental health is worth the effort.
Where to find more information
If you need additional help or information, talk to a trusted adult (like a caregiver, teacher or mentor), a counsellor, or a health professional. Reach out, stay connected, and ask for help. Remember that effective treatments for all mental health problems are available and you may need to talk to a number of different people before you get the help that you need.