When a child struggles with attention issues, parents sometimes expect them to outgrow this. But do they?
The short answer is that sometimes symptoms improve — but attention weaknesses don’t usually just disappear on their own.
It depends on why the attention issue exists and what supports the child receives.
Here’s how to think about it attention issues and maturity:
Developmental Maturity vs. True Attention Weakness
All young children have immature attention systems. As the brain develops attention naturally improves. However, when attention difficulties are significant (such as ADHD), research shows that some children see reduced hyperactivity with age, but inattention often persists into adolescence and adulthood meaning many individuals continue to need support.
While behavior may look calmer, underlying attention skills may still be weaker than their peers.
Skills Improve with Support — Not Just Time and Maturity
Children are more likely to improve when they receive:
- Structured routines
- Academic supports
- Executive function coaching
- Cognitive skills training
How Attention Difficulties Often Changes Over Time
Attention issues are usually still prevalent as students age, but it can manifest differently. For example, hyperactivity often decreases and impulsivity may improve. However, inattention frequently remains the biggest long-term challenge.
A Better Question
Instead of asking, “Will they outgrow it?” a better question might be “What’s driving it?”
Attention is a cognitive skill, and cognitive skill levels do not improve over time. The symptoms, especially around hyperactivity can lessen – but the weakness typically remains unless trained.
Strategies for Helping Attention Issues or ADHD
Common strategies for those struggling with attention issues are medication and an IEP or 504 plan (accommodations). While these can be helpful, they are not typically addressing the root cause of the attention issues but are more focused on the symptoms. These strategies are best leveraged as a short-term approach to helping with attention issues, but in the long-term, as kids enter adulthood and the work world (or college), these accommodations do not follow them. They need to be able to cope.
ADHD Peer-Reviewed Research
The good news is that recent research published in the Journal of Mental Health and Clinical Psychology provides insights as to the root cause of many attention issues – especially inattentive difficulties. In reviewing cognitive profiles for those diagnosed with ADHD, surprisingly, attention is not their lowest cognitive skill. Other skills like processing speed and memory are often lower. This is a key insight and informs us that trying to address attention issues without identifying the root cause and the weaker cognitive skills that can be at the root of the difficulties, is not a comprehensive strategy.
LearningRx cognitive skills training administers one-on-one training to strengthen these weaker skills and enable greater success.
Connor’s Life Before and After LearningRx Training
This was true for Connor from Prior Lake. Connor was struggling with ADHD, and the root cause was uncovered in his initial assessment. Connor’s processing speed was at the 5th percentile. This meant that, even though he is very bright, his brain had to work so hard to keep up in school or complete his homework that he would struggle to sustain attention. His LearningRx Eagan training strengthened his processing speed, and Connor now describes his life as “his life before LearningRx (difficulty and frustration) and after LearningRx school is now much easier”.
If you are concerned about your loved one and wondering how LearningRx Eagan can help, give us a call to learn more. We would love to answer your questions as to how our training may be a good fit for your child.
Results are from past clients. You or your loved ones may or may not achieve the same outcomes, but you can learn more about our research and results here.