ADHD Isn’t Always About a Lack of Attention; Sometimes It Is a Difficulty Controlling Where Attention Goes
Some parents may find it hard to believe that their child has Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), especially when they see their child focus intently on activities that interest them. However, hyperfocus, when someone pays intense attention to one activity, can be a feature of ADHD. Interestingly, ADHD is not just about a lack of attention but rather about the inability to control where attention is directed. When children with ADHD engage in activities they enjoy, they may become so absorbed that they lose track of time and have difficulty transitioning to other tasks. To combat this problem, clinicians suggest that children with hyperfocus receive assistance in shifting focus and completing tasks. They advocate for the use of visual schedules and visual cues to keep these children on track. Additionally, specialists point out that TV viewing and video games can become problematic for kids that exhibit ADHD with hyperfocus. These researchers suggest that the ventral frontal lobe of the brain shuts down while watching TV or playing video games. While it is unclear if this is harmful, this phenomenon is not actively exercising the mind, which is not optimal. Hyperfocus can be challenging, but experts highlight that it can also be a strength that drives kids to follow their passions and achieve great things.
