ADHD Inattentive Type in Tweens

[David Baxter PhD]

ADHD Inattentive Type in Tweens Part I: Diagnosis
by Jennifer Powell-Lunder, Psy.D., Psychology Today
August 23, 2013

Typical tween disorganization, or something more?

Tweens entering middle school are typically expected to make a smooth transition from the encapsulated environment of elementary school to the less structured mayhem of middle school. A chief task in middle school is negotiating a less structured setting in which tweens are required to utilize organization and fore planning to keep pace. The majority of tweens get used to their new situation shortly after they make the initial transition. Tweens for whom organization is far from easy or for whom planning let alone pre-planning seems nearly impossible often have much difficulty making this adjustment. With parental support and guidance however, many of these tweens eventually get adjusted.

There is a subset of tweens who may present as unable to get organized or remain focused. They often fall behind quickly in their classes because they are unable to meet deadlines and/or fail to complete assignments.

Parents of these tweens sometimes assume their child is lazy or uninterested. This is particularly baffling for parents when their child seemed to excel in elementary school. A quick look at such a tween?s notebook often reveals completed homework assignments that have never been turned in; notes for science in the English section; and a worksheet for math crumpled up in a ball at the bottom of his backpack.

These tweens quite often function well in other realms. They may be socially savvy and quite involved in interests outside academics such as athletics or the arts. Quite commonly, these tweens are simply written off as requiring more discipline and focus on school.

Survey the majority of these tweens however, and you are sure to hear tales of frustration even fury. They try to keep order, they want to stay focused, their efforts simply seem futile.

Research indicates that it is becoming more common to identify kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), inattentive type during the middle school years. While ADHD is more predominant in boys, the inattentive type (aka without hyperactivity-impulsivity) is more common in the subset of girls diagnosed with ADHD. ADHD inattentive type is also trickier to detect which is why it often goes undiagnosed until middle school. Tweens diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type have difficulty remaining focused, they are often not detected in elementary school where the tendency is to focus on each classroom task for short periods time. It is not until these kids have to stay focused and concentrate on one subject for whole periods that difficulty can be detected. In addition, these kids do not often have the social issues associated with children who have ADHD with the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. These kids are sometimes characterized as ?spacey? by their peers, they are however, rarely perceived as annoying or less likeable the way kids with AHDH symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are sometimes experienced.

Tweens diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type are not just affected in the academic realm. They often have difficulty remaining organized and focused in other areas of life as well. Their rooms are usually messy and disorganized. It is not uncommon to hear a parent of such a tween complain that her child never puts anything away and has a tendency to start projects that never seem to get completed.

Your tween may meet criteria for ADHD inattentive type if you check off six or more of the following:

• Lacks attention to detail especially when completing schoolwork or when doing other activities. Has a tendency to make careless mistakes.
• Reports or is observed having difficulty remaining focused in the classroom or while engaging in activities which require concentration such as chores or games.
• Has difficulty listening when spoken to.
• Fails to complete school assignments, chores, or other assigned tasks.
• Avoids situations that require maintaining focus for long periods of time especially in class or while completing homework or other activities that require sustained mental focus.
• Has difficulty following directions.
• Has difficulty getting or remaining organized.
• Has a tendency to lose things regardless of an item?s importance.
• Easily distracted by outside stimuli.
• Generally forgetful.

The key factor in determining if your tween meets criteria for ADHD inattentive type is whether these characteristics impede her ability to function on a daily basis.

What you do and how you approach the situation is dependent on the challenges faced by your tween.

If you suspect that your tween meets criteria, consulting with a professional will confirm your conclusions. In addition, a professional will help you and your tween appropriately address accompanying symptoms. For tips on how you can work with your tween to develop tools and tactics to address disorganization and an inability to remain focused, refer to Part II of this article series.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

ADHD in Tweens Part II: Tools to Tackle Inattentive Type
by Jennifer Powell-Lunder, Psy.D., Psychology Today
August 23, 2013

How to help your inattentive tween get focused and organized.

Once a professional has validated your concerns associated with your tween’s lack of organization and/or ability to remain focused, it is time to take action. Perhaps on the contrary, you were relieved to hear that although your tween presents as disorganized her symptoms do not rise to the level consistent with a diagnosis of ADHD inattentive type. Regardless of whether your disorganized tween meets full criteria or not, you may still be baffled by how to help her.

Each child is of course an individual with a whole host of strengths and weaknesses. There are however, some general tips you can try to help create the structure and support your disorganized tween requires to ensure success. The following is a quick list of tried and true tips to tackle the most difficult issues typically presented by a tween who lacks organization and focus.

• Set up a structured system of organization for school materials. Color-coding by subject is often helpful. All science materials for example should be put in the blue notebook, loose papers in the blue folder, etc.
• Encourage your tween to create a nightly homework schedule with estimated times for completion of each assignment. Include blocks of time for longer-term assignments. This will prevent your tween from trying to tackle a large assignment the night before it is due.
• All assignments should be written down in a daily planner. Your tween should find a friend in each class with whom he can confer to ensure that he has written it all down correctly. In addition, this friend can serve as a good source with whom to check classroom notes. These days many schools provide online access to homework assignments. Make sure you and your tween check online every night.
• If your tween lacks focus make sure she schedules her homework in short blocks of time, even if she has to skip around to get it all done. It will take time for her to determine the best individual approach. Your job is to make sure she completes her assignments. Don’t just assume she has completed everything. You are best served actually checking her work. How she chooses to complete her assignments should be left up to her.
• Tackle one task at a time. If his room is a mess but he has loads of homework to complete, work with him to prioritize what needs to get completed. Perhaps he is best served cleaning his room a little at a time for example, schedule in 15 minutes per night when he is to focus on cleaning up one area in his room. In time he will get it all organized.
• Visual cues are often the best reminders. Encourage your tween to keep her life labeled and organized. If your tween has a tendency to leave her sports equipment all over the house for example. A good way to avoid the mad frenzy to find items five minutes before she is due at practice is to create a labeled bin in which she is to deposit her sports equipment. It will take time for her to get in to the routine of putting the items there but in time it should pay off.
• Create a system of reinforcement. When your son was younger you may have realized that a structured reward system was helpful in motivating your child to complete chores. A structured incentive program can also help your tween remain organized and focused. Sit down with your tween and create such a system together. His involvement will empower him to follow the plan.
• Writing it down makes it real. Although your tween has every intention of remembering the list of things she is required to do each day, a lack of focus can lead to forgetfulness. Two important purposes are served when things are written down. The actual act of writing will help reinforce her memory. In addition the content of what has been written will serve as an important visual cue. Keeping an ample supply of post-it-notes is a great way to provide quick visual cues for your less than focused tween. They can be stuck anywhere and quickly removed when needed.

Getting organized takes time and effort. As a parent, you provide the support and guidance your tween requires to overcome an affinity toward disorganization and distraction. It is important to remember that ADHD inattentive type can be challenging and overwhelming for both you and your tween. Frustration, annoyance, and even anger will not overcome the symptoms associated with the diagnosis. Patience, understanding, and encouragement however, will empower your tween to help herself. While the challenges faced by a disorganized tween may be difficult they can be successfully overcome when you take the time and effort to work together.