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Occupational Therapy

Focus & Attention

Distractions can come in many forms. If your child is overly sensitive to sensory input, they may over respond to sounds, textures, sights, scents, tastes, or motions. Children who are excessively distracted by their sensory needs will struggle to attend to simple commands. You may notice that your child is able to “keep it together” in a classroom but at home, or in other settings, this might be different.

Inattention can present as indifference, disregard, forgetfulness, carelessness, disinterest or thoughtlessness. They might make mistakes or seem like they simply can’t pay attention.

Below are some activities and movements that can help with developing focus and attention skills.

Focus & Attention Activities

  • Push hands together and hold for 10 seconds
  • Push hands against a wall 
  • Push hands together in a prayer like position
  • Carrying piles of books
  • Heavy stamping
  • Use of fidget or stress ball.

Focus & Attention Movements

  • Commando crawling
  • Bouncing up and down on a therapy ball
  • Jumping up and down on the spot
  • Climbing or jumping at the park or in the garden
  • Bouncing on a trampoline.

Who Can Help?

Children's Occupational Therapists work with children from birth to 18 (or 19 if attending Complex Need schools). If your child or young person is under the Occupational Therapy teams, you can speak to them about any questions you may have.

If you think your child requires specialist support, please speak to their GP.

If you have any questions about your child or young person's general health or development, you can contact the Healthy Child Programme by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

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