Is focusing always difficult for ADHD kid | ADHD Information

The focusing can be improved, but it seems that it is usually an issue. Meds help tremendously with focusing issues.

I think they can ibe learned. My daughter wanted to transfer to a different school for this school year. In order for her to do that she had to dramatically raise her grades for the last 9 weeks of school last year. She made the choice to move her desk away from her friends, so that helped tremendously to cut down outside distractions. She was also very motivated. She did raise her grades and was able to transfer. At this time she was not on any meds either.

Just as an aside, she didn't really want to take any medications. (she had a bad experience a few years earlier) Her therapist told her if she was able to concentrate that well with all that effort, just think how well she would do with meds. She decided to try meds again and is on Strattera and doing really well.

Quick Question:

When a child has ADHD - is their focusing capability always an issue or more random? Can focusing skills be learned or improved?
I think ADHDers can train themselves to hyperfocus when they reach a certain age. I think focus is a problem for most ADHDers.My DD was unable to focus without meds. She is almost 8. In the beginning of her first grade year, she couldnt even read two pages without saying she was 'tired' or getting distracted/bored. She was the lowest in her class in terms of her reading by the time January came around and we were told she wouldnt be able to move onto second grade but would be 'placed' into second grade (meaning they could move her back to first) if she couldnt get it up.

End of Jan we started meds and by June she finished first in her class in reading levels. The teacher said it was amazing to see and I'll tell you I was amazed myself after fighting and fighting with her on it. Once she could focus on more than a page she was reading whole books. She read all summer and has discovered she loves to read very much.

That is our story. I am hopeful, obviously, that when she comes off meds that she will be able to learn to focus on her own, but that is in the future for us.

Tina

Hi,

I don't know if this helps you but the information I have received regarding ADHD children is that (for some) if they want to focus (something they are interested in) they can have no problem.  However, school is full of information they deem unnessesary or uninteresting (and they are probably right) but has to be learned.  Therefore, ADHD children can focus on their interests but have a hard time with the boring stuff.  That's why some of these children do well once they enter high school or college because they now can concentrate on the subjects they truly enjoy. Of course every child is different and some have a hard time focusing on everything.

Good luck.

 

After thinking about it...my son doesn't really have a focus issue but more of he doesn't react the first time he is asked to do something. It isn't like he isn't paying attention but it just seems like he doesn't want to do what is asked of him until you tell him a few times.
Now in his school - 2nd grade - his teacher will make him change his color if he doesn't follow the directions the first time....any directions. Some days he is fine - others not. Does this seem like a age thing or ADHD?

BTW: my son is very smart - no problem learning, reading or anything else...
It is so odd - when I post a question on here  only a few days later I think the issue is void. I think just being a new parent is making me question everything. I need to just let things happen, observe (for a while), make my adjustments in parenting and sometimes just let it be. Maturing is a wonderful thing. newmom39336.2199421296