Why ADHD is more than just an attention issue

Parents often say things like, “he can play video games for hours, but struggles with homework…” or “she can focus when she wants to”.

The “attention” component of ADHD isn’t just about focusing on one thing in one context or even on everything in all contexts. It’s about the ability to manage one’s attention. As Dr. Russell Barkley, an internationally recognised expert on ADHD, explained, ADHD is fundamentally a disorder of self-regulation.

Consider homework time. Your child needs to recognise that they have homework and know when and where to do it (self-awareness). They must resist the urge to play video games or hang out with friends (inhibition). They need to shift their focus away from distractions like the TV or social media (attentional management). They must keep relevant information in mind while solving problems (organization and working memory), review their work for mistakes (self-monitoring), and handle temptations to achieve their goal (problem-solving).

These skills go beyond mere attention alone; however, children (and adults) with ADHD often struggle with many if not all of these skills. These self-regulation skills are referred to as executive functions, or the cognitive processes that help you to manage your thoughts, actions and emotions to achieve a goal. Simply put, executive functions are what you need to get from point A to point B. Dr Barkley argues that the core deficit in ADHD is a diminished capacity to self-regulate, or trouble using one’s executive functions.

What does this mean for you and your child?

First, when looking for signs of ADHD, keep an eye out for difficulty with self-regulation/executive functioning skills, not just attention and hyperactivity.

Second, know that your child may struggle with some executive functions but may not have ADHD. Children with learning disabilities, language delays, or social-emotional problems may exhibit executive function weaknesses as well (but that’s a blog post for another day.)

If you are concerned that your child may have ADHD, please seek the assistance of a professional, such as a neuropsychologist or paediatrician. These experts can conduct evaluations to clarify your child’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as assist you with getting your child any help he or she may need.

Sources:

Barkley, R.A. (2011). The important role of executive functioning and self-regulation in ADHD. J Child Neuropsy, 113, 41-56.