Toddler- focus goes in and out

[Anonymous]

Smart start mom here. I know that toddlers aren't 'focused' per se, but lately DS has been exhibiting some strange focus issues. He loves book- and will constantly want us to read to him. He will look at the pages/point to things- then stare off into space. This is a regular thing for him. Attend/engage then stare off. As we are trying to build up cognitive/fine motor with stacking and puzzles the non focus makes it hard. Anyway we can encourage the looking at the task at hand?

[Anonymous]

When he stops focusing, he's telling you he's done with the activity. Back way, way off on the deliberate "building up" of cognitive abilities and follow his lead. When you're a toddler, everything is a learning moment.

[Anonymous]

Good grief.

[Anonymous]

Could you please, please, please get off the special needs board before I need a vomit bag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you please, please, please get off the special needs board before I need a vomit bag.

Wow. I am a smart start mom. my 3 year old isn't taking. Sorry if that isn't SN enough for you. In case you don't know SN is what other counties call EI. And non attending is a common issue with kids. Beyond the NT realm. You ladies are bitter!

[Anonymous]

Oh- and that lack of focus is stoping us from being effectively able to use PECs. Does that meet your SN threshold?

[Anonymous]

SN = special needs = physical, cognitive or learning disabilities which impact lifestyle enough that they can be officially diagnosed by qualified doctors and need home and school accommodations, therapies and/or medication. Also serious temporary or chronic medical problems.

EI = ? Early Intervention? The evidence-based theory that the earlier you therapeutically intervene to correct a disability, the higher the probability of correction.

Smart Start Mom = ? Stupid name, honestly.

OP, toddlers have naturally short attention spans. My toddler would stare into space for HOURS - I would wave my hand right in front of his face and he wouldn't react. Turns out he has High-functioning autism and inattentive ADHD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could you please, please, please get off the special needs board before I need a vomit bag.

Wow. I am a smart start mom. my 3 year old isn't taking. Sorry if that isn't SN enough for you. In case you don't know SN is what other counties call EI. And non attending is a common issue with kids. Beyond the NT realm. You ladies are bitter!

Are you OP? That is not the situation described in her post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
SN = special needs = physical, cognitive or learning disabilities which impact lifestyle enough that they can be officially diagnosed by qualified doctors and need home and school accommodations, therapies and/or medication. Also serious temporary or chronic medical problems.

EI = ? Early Intervention? The evidence-based theory that the earlier you therapeutically intervene to correct a disability, the higher the probability of correction.

Smart Start Mom = ? Stupid name, honestly.

OP, toddlers have naturally short attention spans. My toddler would stare into space for HOURS - I would wave my hand right in front of his face and he wouldn't react. Turns out he has High-functioning autism and inattentive ADHD.


Smart Start is the name for Early Intervention in certain areas. So, OP's child has been diagnosed and is receiving therapy.

Variations in attention are common in toddlers, but depending on their severity, they can also signal a problem. PP's child's inattention was a sign of his autism. For other kids, it can be a sign of absence seizures. For other kids they can be a sign of being 2. OP, based on what you describe it's really hard to tell whether your child has age appropriate focus issues, or something more. Can you give more information, about how old he is, how long these episodes last, in what ways they interfere?

Also, can you clarify whether you and PECS mom are the same person?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Smart start mom here. I know that toddlers aren't 'focused' per se, but lately DS has been exhibiting some strange focus issues. He loves book- and will constantly want us to read to him. He will look at the pages/point to things- then stare off into space. This is a regular thing for him. Attend/engage then stare off. As we are trying to build up cognitive/fine motor with stacking and puzzles the non focus makes it hard. Anyway we can encourage the looking at the task at hand?

He's a toddler. This is pretty normal behavior for a toddler. Just follow his lead and and PLAY!

[Anonymous]

To the OP: if you are indeed the "smart start" mom of the non verbal three year old, your post was confusing.

Most of us interpreted it as "my 18 month old doesn't focus for long when I try to improve his cognitive skills with puzzles; I'm going to head over to the SN boards to make myself feel better."

Its quite different than "MY non verbal 3 year old is exhibiting some other concerning behaviors."

at any rate, you should probably ask your child's therapists or doctors--does he have a diagnosis?

[Anonymous]

OP, my son was like that. It was noticably enough that his daycare staff mentioned it as well. No one knew what to make of it when he was young, but when he got to be six or so, he was diagnosed with ADHD. And at least one of his doctors said they thought the staring was his way of dealing with being overloaded.

[Anonymous]

I've been on this forum for years and have never heard of 'smart start' moms. I always associate Smart Start with DUIs https://www.smartstartinc.com/