Sustained
Attention

Utilize an attention pop quiz or active attention-getters

Make first-then plans to extend focus on non-preferred tasks

Have child repeat back directions to teach listening skills

Alternate between preferred and nonpreferred activities

Flexible seating choices

Adjust/modify work spaces to reduce distractions

Moving desk to front of room or near role model peers
Limiting decorations
Play calming music/white noise or provide headphones
Declutter surfaces
Limit harsh lighting

Sensory movement brain breaks

Stretching
GoNoodle videos

Break down/chunk assignments, projects, and information

Metronome activities to engage attention through a multi-sensory approach

Obstacle course to work on sustaining attention for activities in each step

Use visual timers as an external cue to stay on task

Time timer
Sand timer
Visual countdown app

Interactive songs or instruments

Head shoulders knees and toes
Wheels on the bus
Five little speckled frogs
Miss Mary Mack

Card games to work on attending to rules and turn-taking

Uno
Go fish
Spot it
Slapjack
Blink

Board games to work on attending to rules and turn-taking

Candy land
Headbandz
Checkers
Sorry!
Battleship

Interactive games to work on listening skills and attention to task

I spy
Simon says
20 questions
Duck duck goose
Musical chairs
Red light green light
Mother May I

Interactive games

- I spy
- Simon says
- 20 questions
- Duck duck goose
- Musical chairs
- Red light green light
- Freeze tag
- Mother May I?

References

Beck, C. (2019). Executive Functioning Skills Activity Guide. www.theottoolbox.com
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2014). Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence. www.developingchild.harvard.edu.
Dawson, P., & Guare, R., (2018). From Executive Function Skills in Children and Adolescents. New York: Guilford Press. Third Edition.
Dawson, P., & Guare, R. (2009). Smart but scattered: The revolutionary “executive skills” approach to helping kids reach their potential. Guilford Press.
Demonstrated Success. (2022, February 11). Classroom strategies to foster executive functioning for children [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OwZMX11daA
Forgan, J. W., & Richey, M. A. (2015). The impulsive, disorganized child: Solutions for parenting kids with executive functioning difficulties. Prufrock Press Inc.
Harkla. (2022, February 22). Top 7 Executive Functioning Strategies for Kids [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2N0_zBYLlk
Kenworthy, L., Anthony, L. G., Alexander, K. C., Werner, M. A., Cannon, L., & Greenman, L. (2014). Solving executive function challenges: Simple ways to get kids with autism unstuck and on target. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Meltzer, L. (2010). Promoting executive function in the classroom. The Guilford Press.
O’Brien, J., & Kuhaneck, H. (2019). Case-smith’s occupational therapy for children and adolescents (8th ed.). Elsevier.
Otero, T. M., Barker, L. A., & Naglieri, J. A. (2014). Executive function treatment and intervention in schools. Applied Neuropsychology: Child, 3(3), 205–214. https://doi.org/10.1080/21622965.2014.897903
Schilling, D. L., Washington, K., Billingsley, F. F., & Deitz, J. (2003). Classroom seating for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Therapy balls versus chairs. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 57(5), 534–541. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.57.5.534
Soclof, A., & Christie, L., (2020). Executive Functioning: Teaching Children Organizational Skills [Online course]. Professional Development Resources.
Wolraich, M., & Hagan, J. F. (2019). ADHD: What every parent needs to know (3rd edition). American Academy of Pediatrics.

Sustained Attention

References

Sustained
Attention