Problems paying attention in school – Is it ADHD or Anxiety?
Your child is having problems paying attention in school. The teachers are concerned because your child doesn’t seem to be able to focus in class. He seems to need to have instructions read to him multiple times. Your child’s school just has you on speed dial about his level of activity. The school talks about how impulsive or active he is. He blows up over minor problems and its getting in the way of making friends, or doing well in class. By now a couple of people in your child’s life have talked to you about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). When children have ADHD their difficulty attending is due to a neurological condition.
Some children who have problems paying attention in school have Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder:
ADHD is a common neurological condition in children which impacts their ability to attend or focus. The overlap between anxiety and ADHD symptoms is often overlooked. Anxiety symptoms are often mistaken for signs of ADHD—this is especially true in young, elementary age boys. While the inability to concentrate or sit still may at first look appear to be ADHD, the question of why your child cannot attend is important.
ADHD or Anxiety – Why children have Problems paying attention in School?
The root of your child’s inability to attend is one of the most important questions parents, families, and teachers can ask—why is my child having problems paying attention in school? Concentration problems that stem from anxiety are rooted in emotion. Children with anxiety are preoccupied by worry or are busy anticipating what is coming next. These children’s preoccupation with the future or what could happen is not compatible with what is happening right now—kids who are worrying have trouble concentrating or listening.
Symptoms of inattention, distraction, fidgetiness and what appears to be boredom may actually be signs of anxiety.
Helping children who have problems paying attention in school
The help and support that children with anxiety need as opposed to children with ADHD is different. Counseling for children with anxiety often involves evaluating anxious thoughts, helping kids feel safe, and avoiding reinforcing avoidance or providing reassurance which reinforces anxious thoughts or avoidant behavior.
It can be incredibly difficult to tell when children who are having trouble concentrating at school are suffering from anxiety or ADHD. When parents and teachers are uncertain mental health professionals can assist in parsing the two apart, or knowing when both mental health problems may be coming in play with challenging children in the class room.
Jeff LaPonsie LMSW
Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma related disorders.