Slower processing at school and in the home

Processing Speed and learning issues

Slow processing speed isn’t a learning or attention issue on its own. But it can contribute to learning and attention issues like ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia and auditory processing disorder.

The affects of slow processing speed

Slow processing speed has an impact at home, at school and on other activities like playing sport
What you may see at home is

• Trouble getting organised eg forgetting to bring homework home.
• Doesn’t plan ahead for desired goals eg saving money for a big purchase.
• Has trouble starting and finishing homework or big projects.
• Struggles with changes in routine.
• Becomes overwhelmed by too much information at once (may cause a meltdown).
• Needs more time to complete tasks, make decisions or give answers.
• Has trouble following instructions if told more than one thing at a time.

Practical solutions to accommodate for slow processing speed at home

• Establish a routine and schedule at home.
  • Practice makes people quicker at completing tasks because they become familiar, predictable, and routine and they don’t “have to think about” what they have to do.
• Modify the speed, tone and words used when speaking.
  • Be aware of how fast you speak to the child, modify the tone to take any frustration out as this can increase anxiety and make them process even slower and consider the words used for instructions- simple and one instruction at a time.
• Increase your child’s awareness of time and assist in time management.
  • Help them to understand how much time passes
  • If they are doing homework check in every 15 minutes and write down what they are doing at that time, then help them determine what he was doing is something he should actually be doing.
  • Help them set appropriate and reasonable time limits for getting homework or jobs done. Set a time, for example, ½ hour and let them stick to it even if they do not complete the homework. Work with the school on what is a reasonable time for homework
• Use more than words to get your message across.
  • Combine using visual and verbal channels for example, create a picture schedule for getting ready for bed at night.