Is trouble focusing always a symptom of ADHD?
When a child has to channel their energy into maintaining focus with their eyes, they may have little leftover to focus their mind. Vision problems and ADHD can present with similar symptoms, including a short attention span, difficulty with schoolwork and an inability to stay on task.
Even if your child had a recent vision screening at school and no problems were found, vision issues could still exist. Vision screenings are not comprehensive eye exams. Their limited scope means they can miss symptoms that lead to a diagnosis. Without a complete assessment and proper treatment, children may struggle to achieve their full academic potential.
What can cause a child to have difficulty focusing?
All children have periods when they just can’t sit still. They are excited or nervous or distracted or hungry … the list goes on.
But when trouble focusing becomes a consistent issue for a child, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) often tops the list of suspected reasons. It may surprise you to learn that eye problems can cause similar symptoms as ADHD.
Vision problems, such as difficulty with eye coordination and uncorrected refractive error, can result in the following symptoms:
Short attention span
Avoidance of detailed near work such as reading and writing
Losing their place while reading
Inability to recall the content of what they read
The association between ADHD and vision issues has been well-established. The National Survey of Children's Health found that the prevalence of ADHD was higher among children who had vision problems that could not be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. In addition to speaking to your pediatrician, a comprehensive eye exam is a critical part of determining whether a lack of focus is caused by vision issues or ADHD.
READ MORE: Could it be ADHD or a vision problem? Take this 60-second assessment
