Inside: Learn the importance of focus and attention for school success, including several IEP goal examples for focus and attention.
ATTENTION! When that is said loudly, it has the capacity to get people’s attention. In reality, teachers do possibly say that during a school day. However, they aren’t saying it all day, several times a day. And if they were, it would lose its efficacy.
A school day has a lot of hours in it. Some of those hours are just not going to be the highlight of a child’s day.
Some of it is direct instruction which can lend to daydreaming, loss of focus, or “Charlie Brown adult sounds” aka blah blah blah. This really happens to all of us when we are asked to focus on something for an extended length of time.
It is only natural that no matter how interested we are in the topic, at some point our minds will wander.
Also Read: How to Improve Focus and Attention
Focus and Attention
Now add in someone who is not interested in the topic at hand, or the individual with ADHD, Autism, Specific Learning Disability, or other classifications or diagnoses. Staying focused and paying attention is crucial for learning.
Those that are already experiencing difficulty exacerbate the issue because they have difficulty focusing and sustaining attention.
It is important to establish some of these strategies early on in a child’s school career. Does the young child exhibit this inattentiveness at home even for less important reasons?
Do they have trouble focusing on simple chores or tasks they are asked to do? Chances are that it is carried into school in a bigger, more detrimental way.
According to an article in Neuroscience and Behavioral Reviews, entitled Popular interventions to enhance sustained attention in children and adolescents: A critical systematic review, January 2022, they identify approaches for the improvement of sustained attention.
One is cognitive attention training. This is undertaking a repetitive task that exercises neural networks in the brain and this will increase the sustained attention capacity. The hope is that with the stimulation of this part of the brain, it can be transferred to other areas needing attention and focus.
An example of this might be practicing video game-type tasks with rewards and consequences. Some of the data was inconsistent because attention can mean so many different things, like sustained, selective, and divided attention.
So while this might work for some, there is not enough evidence to say it will work with all populations.
Another approach is state training which includes physical activity and/or meditation. The study showed this to be an effective way to put the brain and body in the best place for attention and focus.
Meditation has been shown to be highly effective as it calms emotions allowing frontoparietal cognition to keep the focus on what is needed to be done.
Let’s look more at meditation and mindfulness. The student is encouraged to find a point of focus; if that attention strays, the student is assured that is okay, to acknowledge it and then re-focus. It is said to improve self-regulation as it shows the child how to control that distractedness and come back to the task at hand.
In other words, it is training the child’s cognitive control. A study was done in 2018 that was comprised of individuals 5-18 years old, a combination of neurotypical, ADHD, orphans, those in correctional schools/institutions, or those with reading difficulties showed that mindfulness training had a “significant positive effect of training on at least one measure of attention or executive function.” (p.3)
One study showed a positive effect on sustained attention using mindfulness. Physical activity zeroes in on cognition because there is a controlled focus on the activity being done. This type of activity releases norepinephrine which assists in sustained attention. The study notes that physical activity needs to be purposeful, such as a basketball game, something requiring not only physicality but concentration.
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are an essential component of special education services for students with disabilities.
IEPs are designed to provide students with the necessary support and accommodations to help them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. One of the most common areas of need for students with disabilities is the area of focus and attention.
IEP goals for focus and attention are critical for students who struggle with maintaining attention, staying on task, and completing assignments. These goals can help students develop the skills they need to be successful in school and in life.
Goals for focus and attention can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each student and can be included in a student’s IEP as part of their overall plan for success.
What are IEP Goals for Focus and Attention?
IEP goals for focus and attention are designed to help students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other attention-related issues improve their ability to concentrate and stay on task. These goals are tailored to each student’s individual needs and may include a variety of strategies and interventions to help them succeed academically and socially.
Some common IEP goals for focus and attention may include:
- Increasing the amount of time a student can remain on task without becoming distracted or disengaged
- Improving a student’s ability to filter out distractions and stay focused on the task at hand
- Developing strategies for managing impulsivity and improving self-regulation
- Strengthening a student’s working memory and ability to retain information
- Enhancing a student’s ability to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks
These goals may be achieved through a variety of interventions and accommodations, such as:
- Providing a quiet workspace free from distractions
- Breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps
- Using visual aids and other sensory supports to enhance learning and retention
- Using positive reinforcement and rewards to motivate and encourage students
- Teaching self-monitoring and self-regulation strategies, such as mindfulness and deep breathing exercises
Overall, IEP goals for focus and attention are an important part of helping students with ADHD or other attention-related issues succeed in school and beyond. By working with teachers, parents, and other professionals, students can develop the skills and strategies they need to stay focused, engaged, and successful.
Why are IEP Goals for Focus and Attention Important?
IEP goals for focus and attention are crucial for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other attention-related challenges. These students often struggle to stay focused and attentive in the classroom, which can lead to poor academic performance and social difficulties.
By setting specific goals for focus and attention in their IEPs, students can receive targeted interventions and support to help them improve their ability to concentrate and stay on task.
These goals can be tailored to the individual needs of each student and can include strategies such as:
- Breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps
- Using visual aids to aid in comprehension and retention
- Providing frequent breaks to prevent burnout
- Using positive reinforcement to encourage on-task behavior
IEP goals for focus and attention can also help students develop important self-regulation skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.
Examples of IEP Goals for Focus and Attention
Goals for Attention
1. The student will increase their ability to sustain attention in class for at least 20 minutes without becoming distracted or disruptive, as measured by teacher observation and data collection, in 4 out of 5 opportunities.
2. The student will improve their ability to shift attention between tasks with 80% accuracy, as measured by teacher observation and data collection, in 3 out of 4 opportunities.
Goals for Focus
1. The student will improve their ability to initiate work tasks independently, without prompting, in 4 out of 5 opportunities, as measured by teacher observation and data collection.
2. The student will increase their ability to sustain focus on a task for at least 30 minutes without becoming distracted or disruptive, as measured by teacher observation and data collection, in 3 out of 4 opportunities.
Combined Goals for Attention and Focus
1. The student will improve their ability to sustain attention and focus on academic tasks for at least 30 minutes without becoming distracted or disruptive, as measured by teacher observation and data collection, in 4 out of 5 opportunities.
2. The student will increase their ability to transition between tasks with minimal support, as measured by teacher observation and data collection, in 3 out of 4 opportunities.
3. The student will improve their ability to prioritize tasks and complete them in a timely manner, as measured by teacher observation and data collection, in 4 out of 5 opportunities.
4. The student will increase their ability to maintain focus during group work activities, as measured by teacher observation and data collection, in 3 out of 4 opportunities.
5. The student will improve their ability to self-monitor their attention and focus during class, as measured by teacher observation and data collection, in 4 out of 5 opportunities.
6. The student will increase their ability to use self-regulation strategies to maintain attention and focus during academic tasks, as measured by teacher observation and data collection, in 3 out of 4 opportunities.
7. The student will improve their ability to complete assignments independently, without prompting, in 4 out of 5 opportunities, as measured by teacher observation and data collection.
How to Write Effective IEP Goals for Focus and Attention
Writing effective IEP goals for focus and attention can be challenging, but it is essential for students who struggle with these skills to make progress in their academic and social-emotional development. Here are some tips to help you write effective IEP goals for focus and attention:
- Use specific and measurable language: Goals should be written in a way that is specific and measurable so that progress can be tracked over time. Avoid vague language like “improve focus” and instead use language like “increase sustained attention during a 20-minute task.”
- Focus on one skill at a time: It can be tempting to try to address multiple skills in one goal, but this can make it difficult to track progress and determine which interventions are effective. Instead, focus on one skill at a time, such as sustaining attention or shifting attention between tasks.
- Make goals challenging but achievable: Goals should be challenging enough to promote growth but not so difficult that they are unattainable. Consider the student’s current level of performance when setting goals and aim for incremental progress.
- Use evidence-based interventions: When possible, use interventions that have been shown to be effective in improving focus and attention, such as mindfulness practices or cognitive-behavioral therapy.
By following these tips, you can write effective IEP goals for focus and attention that will help your students make progress in these critical skills.
IEP Accommodations for Focus and Attention
Implementing IEP goals for focus and attention can be challenging, but with the right strategies in place, it is possible to help students achieve success.
Here are a few tips for implementing IEP goals for focus and attention:
- Break down tasks into smaller steps: Students with attention deficits may struggle with multi-step tasks. Breaking down tasks into smaller steps can help them stay focused and complete tasks more successfully.
- Use visual aids: Visual aids such as pictures, diagrams, and charts can help students better understand concepts and stay engaged in the learning process.
- Provide frequent breaks: Taking frequent breaks can help students with attention deficits stay focused and engaged. Consider incorporating movement breaks or other activities to help students recharge.
- Offer positive reinforcement: Positive reinforcement can help motivate students and encourage them to stay on task. Consider offering rewards or praise for completing tasks successfully.
- Provide a structured environment: A structured environment can help students with attention deficits stay focused and engaged. Consider establishing routines and clear expectations for behavior and academic tasks.
By implementing these strategies, educators can help students with attention deficits achieve success and meet their IEP goals.
It is important to work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that the strategies are effective and tailored to the individual needs of the student.
By learning how to manage their attention and focus, students can become more independent and successful learners, as well as more confident and capable individuals.
In conclusion, the studies were promising but not definitive; it was felt that more studies needed to be done to come to a more definite conclusion. However, this study does give us a springboard to bounce ideas for strategies for focus and attention. This data cannot be dismissed as it did show improvements.