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Attention is the ability to focus on a specific task without being distracted. Strong Attention skills support academic success, as students learn better when attending to materials or activities relevant to their goals. Importantly, attentional control often varies based on the context, including interest in the topic, task difficulty, and task duration. Attentional control continues to develop through middle childhood and adolescence, and can be supported by practice.
There are several different types of Attention:
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is multi-faceted and often presents with differential patterns of attentional control. These behaviors can manifest differently for different individuals and can shift over time, including restlessness (hyperactivity or overactivity) or inattentiveness r as well as impairments in inhibitory control or Working Memory. Adolescents with ADHD often have difficulty with academic (e.g., keeping track of assignments, managing complex tasks, etc.), social (taking turns, reading social cues, etc.), and adaptive (e.g., managing time) behaviors. They are often at a higher risk of dropping out of school, having low attendance rates, and may demonstrate an increase in risky behaviors. Some research shows that increased risk-taking is related to delayed maturation of certain regions of the brain, making teens with ADHD more susceptible to peer influence.
Importantly, a sense of Safety can play an influential role in Attention. Students who do not feel safe in their school, neighborhood, or home, or are victims of bullying tend to experience stress and anxiety, which can negatively affect their ability to pay Attention in school. Teachers can support their students' Attention in a number of ways, including supporting engagement through meaningful and motivational content, creating breaks for movement, incorporating checks for understanding, and creating a safe and positive classroom climate by building strong, trust-based relationships.
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