Understanding and Improving Attention NAMI 2011

1. Understanding and Improving Attention NAMI 2011

2. “The idea that the brain can change its own structure and function through thought and activity is, I believe, the most important alteration in our view of the brain.”“The Brain That Changes Itself” by Norman Doidge

3. Brain function in children with no reading disability Brain function in children with developmental dyslexia Children with dyslexia showed increased brain function after only eight weeks of training Research Has Confirmed Neuroplasticity of the Brain Research Has Confirmed Neuroplasticity of the Brain Brain function in children with no reading disability Children with dyslexia showed increased brain function after just 8 weeks of intense training Brain function in children with developmental dyslexia

4. Brain Plasticity - Neuroplasticity • Imagine the difference between telling a child or an adult that she has a brain disorder VS • She can be like an athlete and with practice re-wire her brain to work better for her

5. Visual Processing Auditory Processing Long-Term Memory Logic & Reasoning Working Memory Attention Processing Speed DECISION Cognitive Skill Efficiency Academic Performance How We Learn Model of Processing New & Known Information Learned Information Output New Known Input

6. Real Life Symptoms • Can attend to what I’m interested in • Can’t focus when it bores me • Can complete work at the last minute • Can’t get much done ahead of time • Can work under pressure • Can’t work without the threat of failure or rejection • Can be fun and enthusiastic • Can’t easily regulate emotions • Can start well with new endeavors • Can’t sustain performance to completion

7. Attention • Sustained Attention • Divided Attention • Selective Attention The The The inability to stay on task for long periods of time, to ignore distractions, or to multitask will limit the student’s other cognitive skills! THIS IMPACTS ALL ACADEMIC AREAS

8. Sustained Attention • Loses interest quickly • Gets frustrated when something • gets too difficult • Daydreaming

9. Training Attention Skills

10. Selective Attention • Easily distracted • Need the environment to be quiet • and stable to stay on task

11. Training Attention Skills

12. Divided Attention • Struggle to multi-task • Very deliberate in completing one task • before moving to the next • Can get easily overwhelmed

13. Training Attention Skills

14. What Do Attention Issues Impact? • Short-term memory • Think-pad of our brain – combines info from environment with long-term memory • 7 “chunks” of information • Struggle to synthesize • Multi-step directions/careless mistakes

15. What Do Attention Issues Impact? • Processing Speed • Working too slowly on tasks • Requiring personalized attention to grasp new concepts • Struggling to meet deadlines or complete timed activities/tests • Struggling with anything timed

16. Impact of Technology • Technology rewards distracted thinking and superficial learning. • Internet delivers a waterfall of visual, auditory and tactile sensory stimulation • Cornell University study results L

17. Reactive vs. Focused Attention • Reactive attention system – hardwired and automatic (required for survival) • Focused attention system – prefrontal cortex, required when paying attention to something not stimulating Most youth have an overdeveloped reactive attention system and underdeveloped focused attention system

18. Unlock Potential Thank You