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Difficulty focusing or concentrating

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The picture shows results for three topics: difficulty calming down with a score of 78 (Slightly High), tantrums or metldowns with a score of 40 (Typical) and crying with a score of 8 (Low)

Difficulty focusing or concentrating is a common topic in parents’ descriptions of three conditions: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autism, and Anxiety.

For kids diagnosed with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Difficulty focusing or concentrating is one of four symptoms related to Attention according to Sleuth parents. All of the symptoms of Attention among kids with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are:

  1. Difficulty paying attention
  2. Distractibility (or easily distracted)
  3. Impulsiveness
  4. Inattentiveness (or not listening to others)

For kids diagnosed with Autism, Difficulty focusing or concentrating is one of eight symptoms related to Sensitivity and Control according to Sleuth parents. All of the symptoms of Sensitivity and Control among kids with Autism are:

  1. Dislike for loud noises
  2. Hyperactivity
  3. Lining up, stacking, or organizing objects
  4. Need for routine
  5. Obsession, fixation, or strong interest
  6. Picky eating or aversion to foods / food sensations
  7. Sensory processing issues (high or low sensitivity)
  8. Tantrums or meltdowns

For kids diagnosed with Anxiety, Difficulty focusing or concentrating is one of five symptoms related to Loss of Control according to Sleuth parents. All of the symptoms of Loss of Control among kids with Anxiety are:

  1. Angry behavior
  2. Being irritable
  3. Fidgeting
  4. Sadness
  5. Trouble sleeping or insomnia

Other symptoms or behaviors to look for with Difficulty focusing or concentrating

When parents mention Difficulty focusing or concentrating they also mention these other symptoms:

SymptomFrequencyNumber of mentions
HyperactivityOften10 mentions
FidgetingOften4 mentions
ImpulsivenessSometimes2 mentions
TalkativenessSometimes2 mentions
Acting outSometimes1 mention
Angry behaviorSometimes1 mention
AnxietySometimes1 mention
Being irritableSometimes1 mention
Delayed speech or language developmentSometimes1 mention
Difficulty completing tasksSometimes1 mention

Characteristics of Difficulty focusing or concentrating

How common is Difficulty focusing or concentrating?

Across kids of all ages represented on Sleuth, 43.03% of parents surveyed by Sleuth say their kids have Difficulty focusing or concentrating.

Percentage of kids with Difficulty focusing or concentrating by year of age

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This is based on a survey of 2017 children on Sleuth. The plot shows the percentage of parents who rated their child’s Difficulty focusing or concentrating “Moderate”, “Severe”, or “Very Severe” among kids in different age groups.

Frequency

OutcomePercent of ChildrenTotal Mentions
Continuously

10%

96 mentions
Hourly

0%

0 mentions
Daily

19%

175 mentions
Weekly

15%

138 mentions
Monthly

9%

84 mentions
Annually

4%

40 mentions
A Few / Several Times

11%

102 mentions
Once

2%

21 mentions
Never

30%

281 mentions

Severity

SeverityPercent of ChildrenTotal Mentions
Very Severe

10%

198 mentions
Severe

13%

264 mentions
Moderate

20%

406 mentions
Mild

22%

447 mentions
Not at All

35%

701 mentions

Discussion of Difficulty focusing or concentrating

What was your approach to Difficulty focusing or concentrating? What were the results?

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