As a parent of a child with ADHD, you may be confused as to why your child forgets so many things and seems easily distracted yet can then be so focused on certain activities for a long time. That is called hyperfocus. I’ve seen my son J have this at times when he is really into something. He can spend hours on it. Then when it comes to doing something he isn’t interested in, he can’t seem to keep his focus for five minutes.
What is hyperfocus for people with ADHD?
A pediatric behavioral health specialist at the Cleveland Clinic Dr. Michael Manos describes hyperfocus as “the capacity for a person to engage in a task or an activity to the exclusion of everything else.” The Cleveland Clinic website notes, “Some people describe hyperfocus as similar to dissociation — a feeling of disconnection from themselves and their environment. Others describe it as laser focus, a kind of tunnel vision. Still other people describe hyperfocus as euphoric.”
While anyone can have hyperfocus at times, it’s different with those who have ADHD. ADHD is inherently about the lack of control of focus – which is why it’s called “attention deficit.” Anyone can get into the “flow” of focusing on a single thing. However, they could move their attention easily to something else if they need to do so. It’s different for someone who has ADHD. They get hyper focused on something, and they cannot easily focus on something else even if they want to.
The downside of hyperfocus is that the person can be fixated on the activity for so long that they do not complete tasks or tend to relationships that need to be done. Children with ADHD may be reluctant to stop doing their activity to do things that need to be done. That could include schoolwork or homework, time with family, meals, chores, bathroom breaks, or other tasks that cannot wait.
I see this with my son J, who has both ADHD and autism. He may get so focused on something that it’s all he can do and think about. He really struggles with putting his attention on another task.
How is hyperfocus different or similar to special interests for autism?
When you have a child who has both autism and ADHD, you are dealing with both special interests (some refer to those as hyperfixations) and hyperfocus.
With autism, many have special interests that usually last a long time. Some of those interests can last for years, while others may be only months. My son J’s first special interest was garbage trucks, and that began at age 3 and lasted well into elementary school. While it’s not a primary interest for him anymore, he still gets excited to see garbage trucks on the road or in our neighborhood (and he is in his late teens now). 😀 Special interests usually include a lot of different activities related to the interest topic.
Hyperfocus is narrower to a particular task or activity and the period of time the person does it. It can definitely be related to the special interest. My son’s interest right now is on personal computers (PC) and gaming. He loves to research and talk about building PCs and everything that goes into it. He also loves gaming, and he can easily spend hours playing online with friends. That can be hyperfocusing on the specific activity he is doing.
How can you help your child with ADHD manage hyperfocus?
So how can you as a parent help your child manage their hyperfocus so that it doesn’t keep them from doing the things that need to be done? Here are some suggestions.
1. Use a timer
You want your child to do things they enjoy, but there may need to be some limits on how much time they spend on it. If your child is playing a video game, let them know how much time they have and set a timer. Once the timer goes off, then they need to complete homework, chore or whatever else may need to be done. Remember that transitions are difficult for autistic children with ADHD, so be sure to give them a sign before their time is up to make the transition easier.
2. Agree on timing of activities when your child tends to be hyperfocused
If your child usually becomes hyperfocused when doing a favorite activity, build it into their routine and agree on when they can do the activity. For example, maybe your child can watch a favorite show after they complete a portion of their homework or after they take their bath in the evening. Routines are really important to autistic/ADHD children, so building the activity into their routine can be helpful.
3. Make boring tasks fun
We all have a hard time focusing when a task is boring. Instead, make it fun. Let them turn on their favorite music while they do their chores. Turn chores and tasks into a game. Hide treats and treasures for them to find. For some more creative ideas, check out this article.
Does your child with autism and ADHD hyperfocus on certain activities? What has worked in helping them to better manage it? Leave a comment below so that we can share and encourage each other on this journey!
Additional resources
Want more information about parenting a child with ADHD? Check out these resources to learn more.
ADHD Parenting a Complex Child: Guiding Your Child with Love – A Journey to Become a Yell-Free and Frustration-Free Parent (affiliate link)
What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life (affiliate link)
Parenting ADHD Now!: Easy Intervention Strategies to Empower Kids with ADHD (affiliate link)
ADHD Decoded- A Comprehensive Guide to ADHD in Adolescents; Volume 2 (affiliate link)
