Often, when adults are chronically inflexible or nervous, their kids tend to be the same way. What to Do About Lack of Shift and Flexibility in Childhood Downshift They require shifting from one activity to the next quickly when really playing with toys would be more fun. This challenge is why morning routines can be so hard. Children with ADHD may get immersed in one task and have trouble shifting to something new, especially if the new task is nonpreferred.
Shift is the most challenging executive function for children on the Autism Spectrum ADHDĪDHD may prevent a child from getting started, being able to focus, and completing tasks. It can also take a longer time for them to shift attention from one task to the next. It can be hard for children with ASD to take other’s perspectives. They are more comfortable doing things their own way.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)Īutistic children tend to be more rigid and less flexible with change and transitions. A strong link is present between intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety. Children with this ‘intolerance’ do not adapt well when introduced to new situations, new teachers, or changing plans. New research reveals that intolerance of uncertainty may be an inherited trait. Some individuals struggle when plans are changed or when they do not know what to expect. I ntolerance of uncertainty is a term that is defined just as it sounds. They desire some level of control over future events to protect themselves from potential harm.
They may worry that something terrible will happen when the plans suddenly change. People who struggle with change and uncertainty tend to worry a lot. Asks constantly about what’s next: your child is very concerned about what is happening during the day and what is coming nextĬauses of Lack of Shift and Flexibility in Childhood AnxietyĪnxiety in childhood can cause children to become inflexible due to uncertainty and the need for predictability.Unable to change approach: your child is unable to try new ways of doing something, even if the new way is more beneficial to your child.Has meltdowns: your child starts to cry, scream, or yell with sudden changes.Unable to transition: your child is unable to smoothly shift from one activity to the next.Symptoms of Lack of Shift and Flexibility in Childhood If the child is doing iPad time and has to put that activity away to go to the reading center, an inflexible child may become very upset.Ī popular author on cognitive flexibility, Michelle Garcia Winner, refers to this challenge as having ‘rock brain.’ ‘Rock brain’ is when the child is so stuck in one activity that he cannot fluidly shift to another. For example, center time in kindergarten might require flexibility. Shifting attention refers to the ability to change from one focus to another. The skill of shifting attention is involved with flexibility. As a result, flexible people tend to be well-adjusted and less anxious. Flexible people do not insist on things going exactly as planned. Shifting in childhood means changing from one activity to another or from one approach to the next.įlexibility in childhood refers to the ability to shift fluidly between activities and problem-solving approaches. What are Shifting and Flexibility in Childhood?
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