Topics > Attention Issues

Understanding

It is important to first recognize that the norms of attention very from person to person and environment to environment.  It was only recently that “attention issues” became an entirely new industry and field of study.  At Butterfly Effects, we first focus on defining the “attention issue” in such a way that all caregivers can observe and measure it.  This puts parents and educators on the same page as to what behavior is and what are appropriate goals for the child.  It is only then that we are able to begin the process of “understanding” the behavior. 

Attention issues can function for one/many reasons – such as to escape a demand, get attention, to fulfill a sensory need, and/or access a desired activity or object.  The only way to determine the function of the behavior and the “attention” skills your child is lacking is to first conduct a proper assessment.  This is not the same type of assessment that will give you a diagnosis such as AD/HD, but rather will tell you what is triggering and maintaining the behavior.  This is usually a combination of variables – both environmental and skill oriented.  Once you understand the behavior, you can then take actions necessary to prevent it, replace it, and intervene when it occurs.