Attention Span

An attention span is the amount of time that a person can focus on a single task. It is normal for a young child to have a short attention span but in normal children that attention span becomes greater with increasing age. A short attention span is the most prominent symptom of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) that is commonly diagnosed in children that are having problems learning in school. Closely related is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) which combines hyperactivity (hyperlink?) with the attention span problem of ADD. It is important to note that having a short attention span happens to everyone sometimes and is more common in some individuals. People with ADD or ADHD have shortened attention spans to the point where it cannot be controlled and it impacts their lives in such a significant negative manner that is becomes distressful and disruptful.