Attention is defined as the ability to keep the mind on something and the ability to concentrate. Skills often include careful observation or listening. The ability for a student to sustain attention, motivation, language, and sensory intervention. Children with autism, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, executive functioning disorders, and Cri du Chat have difficulty sustaining attention over a long period of time.

Strategies they may provide to be useful include:

• Eye Contact
• Repeat instructions
• Provide frequent breaks
• Use in a leadership role.
• Provide choices in test-taking
• Ongoing prompting.

The following are articles on ways to improve concentration and attention:

4 concentration activities for students – Getting Smart

7 in-class activities to improve concentration in children-TEACH

10 Games to boost attention and focus– Heart-Mind Online

Attention Activities– The OT Toolbox

Activities that help develop attention skills– Boise Speech and Hearing Clinic

Attention and Concentration– Kidsense

Brain training activities– Our Journey Westward

Pay attention: Ten steps to improving attention and concentration- ADHD Center

The attention games: Catching focus through fun– Additude

Using play to increase attention– Miss Jaime OT