Lost in the Details: Why Attention, Sensory Registration, and Organisation Matter in Neurodivergent Children

Lost in the Details: Why Attention, Sensory Registration, and Organisation Matter in Neurodivergent Children

Introduction

Every classroom has that one child who always seems distracted—forgetting homework, daydreaming mid-lesson, or struggling to start even the simplest task. To some, this looks like laziness or defiance. But for many neurodivergent children, the real challenge lies deeper—in the way their brain filters information, maintains attention, and organises thoughts and tasks.

Whether diagnosed with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyspraxia, or Sensory Processing Disorder, many children face invisible barriers to learning. Difficulties with attention, registration (the brain’s ability to notice and process incoming sensory information), and organisational skills can profoundly affect academic performance, self-esteem, and social success.

Occupational therapy plays a vital role in helping these children develop the tools they need to succeed—but early understanding is key.

🔍 What Is Attention in Occupational Therapy Terms?

In OT, attention is more than just “paying attention.” It refers to the ability to:

• Focus on relevant information

• Sustain focus over time

• Shift attention between tasks

• Ignore irrelevant stimuli

For children with attention difficulties:

• Classroom noise, visual clutter, or internal thoughts may become overwhelming

• They may lose track of instructions or miss key steps

• Multi-step tasks like writing a sentence or packing a school bag feel nearly impossible

Signs to look for:

• Easily distracted by sound, movement, or internal stimuli

• Difficulty finishing tasks without reminders

• Constantly shifting from one activity to another

• Losing things frequently (books, pencils, homework)

• Seeming “zoned out” or overly active

These challenges are often misinterpreted as behavioral problems, when they are in fact neurological in nature.

🧠 What Is Sensory Registration?

Sensory registration is the brain’s ability to detect and interpret sensory input (sound, touch, sight, etc.). When this system isn’t working efficiently, a child may either under-register (miss sensory input) or over-register (get overwhelmed by it).

Under-registration looks like:

• Missing their name being called

• Not noticing spills, messes, or sensations like wet clothes

• Slow response time to instructions or stimuli

• Seeming unbothered by pain or temperature

Over-registration looks like:

• Reacting strongly to noises, lights, or tags in clothing

• Covering ears or hiding under desks

• Becoming overwhelmed in busy environments

• Constantly on alert or anxious

Both types of registration issues can impact focus, participation, and learning in school.

🗂️ What Are Organisational Skills?

Organisational skills include:

• Planning tasks

• Prioritising steps

• Managing materials

• Keeping track of time

• Completing tasks in sequence

These executive functions are often underdeveloped in neurodivergent children, particularly those with ADHD or Dyspraxia.

Red flags for organisational skill difficulties:

• Forgetting homework or school materials

• Inability to plan a writing task or project

• Losing personal belongings often

• Getting stuck during multi-step tasks

• Difficulty following routines without support

The result? Missed assignments, meltdowns, frustration—and a growing gap between potential and performance.

🧩 How These Challenges Interact

It’s important to note that these three areas—attention, registration, and organisation—are deeply interconnected.

Example: A child with poor sensory registration may not notice that a teacher is speaking (registration), which means they don’t focus on the task (attention), and then they can’t remember or follow the steps needed to complete it (organisation).

This can spiral into daily struggles, misunderstandings, and even a loss of motivation to learn.

🛑 The Impact Without Early Support

When these difficulties go unaddressed, children may:

• Be mislabeled as lazy, defiant, or disorganised

• Struggle to meet academic expectations despite cognitive ability

• Withdraw socially due to embarrassment or frustration

• Experience chronic stress and school-related anxiety

• Develop secondary emotional issues such as low self-worth or depression

💡 The Role of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists help children build foundational attention and organisational capacities using targeted, developmentally appropriate strategies.

OT interventions may include:

1. Sensory Regulation Techniques:

• Sensory diets (structured input to help regulate the nervous system)

• Calm corners, movement breaks, and noise-reducing tools

• Weighted items, fidgets, or tactile tasks to improve focus

2. Attention-Building Activities:

• Visual schedules and timers

• Task breakdown (e.g., turning 1 big task into 3 smaller steps)

• Games that improve sustained and shifting attention (e.g., memory, sequencing, mindfulness)

3. Organisational Coaching:

• Checklists, colour-coded folders, and visual planners

• Use of timers and alarms to build time awareness

• Modelling how to pack a schoolbag or plan an assignment

• Teaching routines and transitions through repetition and reward

OTs also work closely with teachers and parents to ensure consistency and success in the child’s real environment.

🧒 A Real Story: Sam’s Journey

“Sam,” age 8, was bright and creative—but never finished assignments. He constantly forgot his materials, wandered during class, and often melted down when asked to follow multi-step instructions.

An OT evaluation revealed that Sam had poor sensory registration and underdeveloped executive functioning. With weekly therapy, sensory supports in class, and visual task planning at home, Sam slowly began completing work on time, participating more confidently, and even helping peers organise their desks.

📌 What Parents and Teachers Can Do

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to take action.

Steps to support attention and organisation:

• Observe and document patterns of inattention or disorganisation

• Speak with your child’s teacher and GP for further assessment

• Introduce routines, checklists, and calming strategies at home

• Reduce distractions and provide clear, visual instructions

• Consider an occupational therapy screening or assessment

Tools like the Locus Therapy App can also help screen for early concerns and offer guidance on sensory and attention-based challenges.

🧠 Resources That Help

For families seeking to better understand and support these needs, resources from Newbee Publication offer accessible strategies grounded in real-world therapy experience—without overwhelming jargon.

These guides can help parents feel more confident and informed when collaborating with schools and health professionals.

🧾 Conclusion

Attention, sensory registration, and organisational skills are essential for learning—but often overlooked in neurodivergent children. With understanding, early intervention, and the right therapeutic tools, these invisible barriers can be turned into bridges—helping every child thrive in school and beyond.

Let’s stop blaming the child—and start supporting the brain.