Parents Likely to Dismiss Attention Problems in their Kids as Typical Childish Behavior, According to Cogmed Survey
Performance in math and reading comprehension are leading indicators of severity of attention problems in kids; seven tips to better discernment
Naperville, Ill., May 30, 2007—(BUSINESS WIRE)--A vast majority of parents are likely to dismiss attention problems in their children after failing to distinguish them from ordinary childish behavior that will be outgrown. A new survey of 1,000 parents reveals that nine in 10 acknowledge that attention problems can be confused easily with typical childish antics. The survey was conducted on behalf of Cogmed America Inc., www.cogmed.com, a developer of working-memory training products, through online research leaders Zoomerang and MarketTools.
The survey polled parents of children who exhibit a range of attention problems from mild to severe, including half of whom have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. Parents shared their concerns, experiences and attitudes regarding attention problems occurring in their children and adolescents. The survey findings reveal how parents of children diagnosed with ADD or ADHD and parents of children with milder problems share similar experiences and views and where they differ.
“Recent research has led to a wealth of new insights on the different causes of attention problems and potential remedies,” said Jonas Jendi, Cogmed’s chief executive officer. “We wanted to understand the extent to which these new ideas have impacted the thinking of parents who encounter the effects of attention problems in their children every day.”
Parents are confident they can recognize symptoms, but admit all attention problems look alike
Parents of both survey populations say in general, they can identify the signs of attention problems in children but find it difficult to discern the slight nuances that distinguish those symptoms from ordinary behavior.
- Seventy-two percent of the parents say they can readily identify the symptoms of an attention problem in children
- Eighty-seven percent of the parents say it is easy to mistake the signs of an attention problem for normal childish behavior
Math and reading are problematic for a wide range of children who experience attention problems
Parents of both survey populations cited math, reading comprehension and grammar as the most difficult subjects for children with attention problems. Music and art were identified as the least difficult for these children.
For those with mild to moderate attention problems, academic struggles may be subtle, but can worsen over time
While parents of children with severe attention problems see a clear connection between their child’s problem and academic = performance, more than half of the parents of children with mild to moderate attention problems do not detect as strong a connection.
- Eighty-six percent of parents of children with severe attention problems say there is a clear connection between their child’s attention problem and poor academic performance
- Only thirty-eight percent of parents of children with milder attention problems have detected a similar connection
Despite this, the academic performance of children with mild to moderate attention problems may decline gradually over time. Many such children struggle in high school and beyond.
- Only 27 percent of six year olds who exhibit mild or moderate attention problems experience trouble in school
- Yet, 55 percent of 15 year olds in this same group struggle academically
No matter how mild or severe the attention problem, parents want more help from schools
While an overwhelming majority of all parents surveyed feel most responsible for identifying attention problems in their children, 80 percent say teachers are in fact the most likely to recognize such problems. Parents expressed the desire for schools to be more involved in the recognition and reporting of attention problems.
- Nine of 10 parents surveyed said that schools should make recommendations to parents if a child is performing below average
- Three in four parents surveyed said schools should offer tests to detect attention problems
“Attention problems exist in varying degrees of severity, yet parents tend to dismiss all but the most severe cases,” said noted child and adolescent psychologist and author, Dr. William Benninger. “Parents need to be better informed about the often subtle signs that distinguish mild and severe attention problems, while working closely with professionals and schools to identify potential cases and resolve them without confusion and fear.”
Seven Tips to Better Discernment: Recommendations for assessing the level of severity of attention problems
The survey revealed many of the obstacles and concerns that parents encounter in dealing with potential attention problems in their children. The following tips can help parents avoid common missteps:
-- Consider your child's behavior compared with peers
Attention abilities develop incrementally in children. It is
normal for younger children to have more limited attention
spans. When considering your child's behavior, be sure to
compare it to the behavior of his or her peers.
-- Gauge your child's behavior over at least six months
Attention problems cannot be observed in one isolated moment.
They exhibit themselves over a period of time. If you think your
child may have an attention problem, consider his or her
recurring behavior over a period of at least six months.
-- Frequent struggles to complete homework are a warning sign
Nearly all kids have a problem completing some of their homework
some of the time. Those with real attention problems struggle
greatly to complete some of their homework most of the time.
-- Observe your child's performance in key academic subjects
Survey takers identified poor academic performance as the
indicator of an attention problem most likely to prompt parents
to seek professional help. Stay in contact with your child's
school and teachers, assessing his or her performance in various
subjects, particularly math and reading comprehension.
-- Know which situations best spotlight attention problems
Almost all children can concentrate on something they enjoy.
Attention problems show when a child is put in a situation that
demands sustained focus, or when a child considers an activity
to be boring.
-- Don't be afraid to assess the problem with a qualified expert
Attention problems range from mild to moderate to severe. For
each level there are appropriate means to improve attention,
ranging from tutoring and training to strategies that focus on
improving learning environments and daily routines. Don't be
afraid to seek an assessment for your child.
-- If you see a problem, don't wait--your child may not grow out
of it
The leading obstacle to proper identification of attention
problems as identified by the survey takers was the likelihood
of parents to wait for their child to "grow out of it." If you
consistently observe the indicators of an attention problem in
your child for a period of six months, it is often very useful
to seek an assessment. The problem will not go away with time.
About Cogmed
Cogmed has made a breakthrough discovery that individuals can train and improve their working memory, a key function of the brain that allows individuals to store information for brief periods of time. Cogmed Working Memory Training helps people with attention deficits improve focus, impulse control and complex problem solving. Through a combination of software-based memory exercises and personal coaching, participants engage in a challenging five-week program using an Internet-connected computer at home. More than 80 percent of those who have completed Cogmed's rigorous and rewarding training have demonstrated dramatic and lasting improvements. Cogmed's proprietary and patented program has been validated by high-impact research in controlled scientific studies at the Karolinska Institute, a world-renowned medical university based in Stockholm, Sweden. A leader in the emerging field of neurotechnology, Cogmed was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Naperville, Ill. Cogmed's services are provided by a growing network of more than 25 specialist practices around the U.S.
Contacts
Sheffield Marketing Partners
John Severance
630.281.4097
jseverance@sheffieldcompany.com
