Difficulties with attention or concentration and being very active or doing things without thinking

Young kids often cannot focus for long—they have lots on their minds. They also have a lot of energy and need to move around. They sometimes act without thinking, sometimes leading to hurt feelings, bruises, and scrapes.

Many parents feel guilty or insecure about their inability to “control” these behaviors. It can be difficult to deal with tantrums, frequent forgetfulness, or academic difficulties, as well as maintaining patience.

As kids grow older, we hope they start to outgrow these behaviors. However, some kids take longer to change. For some, not paying attention, being overly active, and acting without thinking can cause problems at home and school.

What is typical?

Many kids under 6 years old find it hard to pay attention, stay still, or think before acting. As they get older, expectations for them grow. If they cannot keep up with these demands, they may have trouble in school and other activities.

Kids and teens can also struggle to focus, sit still, or control impulses if:

• They lack sleep
• They do not eat well
• They feel anxious or stressed
• They feel sad
• They spend too much time on phones or tablets

Even if a child is slow to mature, this is part of the diversity of childhood growth. They usually catch up by young adulthood.

When should I be concerned?

Caregivers should worry if these problems cause issues at home, with friends, or at school. Watch out for these signs:

Inattention:

• Making careless mistakes in schoolwork
• Getting distracted easily
• Having a hard time listening or paying attention
• Struggling to follow instructions
• Finding long tasks very hard or avoiding tasks that require continuous mental effort
• Forgetting things often
• Losing items frequently
• Being disorganized

Hyperactivity:

• Fidgeting or moving constantly
• Squirming in their chair
• Trouble staying in one spot
• Running or climbing too much
• Having a hard time playing quietly
• Talking too much or changing the subject abruptly

Impulsivity:

• Being impatient
• Struggling to wait for their turn
• Interrupting others
• Blurting things out or speaking without thinking

Other important signs:

• Difficulty organizing time (e.g., starting several things and not finishing any of them)
• Difficulty maintaining friendships due to impulsive behavior
• A constant feeling of being “late” or “lost”
• Low self-esteem, with phrases like “I’m stupid” or “I can’t do anything right”

Some kids might have only a few of these issues, while others have more. If a child has problems with paying attention, they often also have issues with being overly active and impulsive. This can make it hard for them at school and home.

An important note:It’s not uncommon for some teens to begin to suspect they have attention problems later in life. In these situations, it’s important to pay close attention, as difficulty concentrating can also be related to anxiety, excessive stimuli (like intense use of social media), lack of sleep, or stressful situations. Therefore, to understand what might be happening, it’s important to also examine the adolescent’s childhood history: if signs of inattention or hyperactivity were already present in childhood, it may be important to investigate.

What can I do to help?

Here are some tips for caregivers:

1. Talk to your child’s teacher.The teacher can tell you if these problems happen at school, too.
2. Talk to your child.Find out how long they can focus.
3. Break down big tasks.Help your child split big tasks into smaller steps.
4. Create schedules.Make daily schedules with breaks and set goals with time limits.
5. Use checklists.Help your child use a planner or make lists to remember tasks.
6. Set rewards.Make a system of rewards to keep your child motivated.
7. Give calm reminders.Remind your child softly when they need to stay seated.

If, even after trying these strategies, you notice that the child or adolescent is still experiencing great difficulty, professional help may be an option.

What kind of professional support can I seek out?

Do not feel embarrassed or guilty if your child struggles with these issues. Help is available.

Start by talking to your child’s pediatricianor family doctor. These professionals can guide you through the first steps and, if necessary, refer you to a mental health specialist, such as a psychologistor child psychiatrist. Mental health professionals can help both the child and the caregivers. They work with families, offering strategies for managing symptoms at home, at school, and during treatment.

You can also find free support through the Unified Health System (SUS). Care often begins at your local Basic Health Unit (UBS). Other services include Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS i), specialty centers, and clinics at university hospitals.