Sustained attention refers to the ability to maintain attentional focus on relevant stimuli with repeated presentation over extended periods of time. It is the ability to direct and focus cognitive activity on specific stimuli.
In children with attention difficulties, the brain systems that sustain attention seem to be slow and incomplete in their development. Popular over-stimulating attention-getting devices like video games or television may exacerbate the situation by weakening the child’s own internal ability to sustain attention.
In order to help students in this area, the right balance between keeping students engaged and continuing to give tasks that challenge and strengthen students’ attention spans is necessary.
Difficulties with Sustained Attention May Manifest in Students in the Following Ways
- Frequent inattention
- Lack of interest
- Distractability
- Disruptive behaviors
- Struggling to complete simple tasks
During a neuropsychological evaluation, a student’s attention, concentration, and inhibition may be tested with measures that assess auditory attention, visual attention, impulse control, and comprehension of instructions.
Helping Students Strengthen Sustained Attention
Sustained attention allows students to remain focused on a task or activity long enough to process information, follow directions, and complete their work. When students struggle with this skill, they may become distracted, lose track of instructions, or have difficulty finishing tasks. Understanding when and where these challenges occur can help educators identify supports that better match each student’s needs.
School psychologists can work with teachers to find a balance between keeping students engaged and gradually building their ability to maintain attention. Strategies such as breaking assignments into manageable sections, reducing unnecessary distractions, incorporating movement breaks, and providing clear directions can help students stay focused. Observations and assessment results can also provide valuable information about a student’s attention across different tasks and settings.
Remember that difficulty sustaining attention can have many contributing factors, and no single strategy works for every student. Consider the student’s individual strengths, needs, and learning environment when developing recommendations and collaborating with the IEP team.
By understanding each student’s attention needs and providing intentional, individualized support, we can help students participate more fully in learning and build the skills needed to stay engaged with classroom tasks.
Branstetter, R. (2014). The everything parent’s guide to children with executive functioning disorder. F+W Media, Inc.
Dawson, P. & Guare, R. (2018). Executive skills in children and adolescents: A practical guide to assessment and intervention (3rd ed.). The Guilford Publications Inc.
Matheis, L. (2021). Quiet, sustained attention is not natural for our kids. Here’s what is. (https://www.additudemag.com/quiet-sustained-attention-is-not-natural-for-our-kids-heres-what-is/)
https://www.edutopia.org/discussion/7-ways-increase-students-attention-span
https://southcountychildandfamily.com/2015/10/14/what-is-sustained-attention/
