In typical child development, attention controls many aspects of learning, including memory, motor control, and problem solving. Attention organizes the constant influx of information that needs to be absorbed by children.
Inside Visual Attention in Children: Theories and Activities, Dr. Kenneth A. Lane describes the positive aspects of attention that are needed for children to be successful in the classroom, such as concentration and vigilance, as opposed to negative aspects that can lead to failure, such as distractibility and confusion.
This book is divided into two parts. The first eight chapters of the book explain attention and its relationship to vision and visual stimuli. The core topics discussed here include Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Executive Function, and Memory. The second half outlines a Vision Therapy program and consists of activities for improving visual attention in children. Over 100 activities are explained and illustrated.
Visual Attention in Children: Theories and Activities is anchored on current theories in five areas of attention that shape child development.
Theories Described Include:
- Focused Attention – The ability to respond discreetly to visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli
- Selective Attention – The ability to maintain behavioral or cognitive abilities in the face of distracting or competing stimuli
- Shifting Attention – The ability to rapidly shift attention from one object to another
- Sustained Attention – The ability to maintain a consistent behavioral response during a continuous or repetitive activity
- Divided Attention –The ability to engage in more than one attention-focused task at one time
Visual Attention in Children: Theories and Activities is the perfect tool for occupational therapy students and clinicians as well as other professionals specializing in child development and learning who are looking to enhance their understanding of this topic and who need unique ideas and activities to add to their visual therapy training programs.
Dedication
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1 Vision and Attention
Chapter 2 Attention
Chapter 3 Memory
Chapter 4 Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Chapter 5 Autism
Chapter 6 Reading Disability
Chapter 7 Plasticity
Chapter 8 Cerebrovascular Accident and Traumatic Brain Injury
Chapter 9 The Training Program
Attention Training Activities
See the Color Atlas after page 199
Resources
Glossary
Index
Biography
Kenneth A. Lane, OD is a doctor of optometry and a fellow with the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Since his first book, Reversal Errors: Theories and Therapy Procedures, in 1988, Dr. Lane has published Developing Your Child for Success, Developing Ocular Motor and Visual Perceptual Skills, and a series of workbooks that deal with eye tracking and perception. He started the Lane Learning Center to help learning-disabled children in 1980. Visual Attention in Children: Theories and Activities is the result of 3 years of research. Dr. Lane lives with his wife, Janet, in north Texas and spends his leisure time in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
“This book provides the reader with more than ample theory and research allowing a quick grasp of essential concepts while remaining very pleasant and rapid to read, making it an excellent and quick reference guide. It is well written with clearly explained technical language, and complicated ideas are easily understood by the reader less familiar with the concepts that are being presented. In sum, Visual Attention in Children: Theories and Activities will likely become an invaluable resource for occupational therapists and other professionals targeting visual attention in their therapy within a developmental frame of reference. It is a must-have in your library.”
-Josiane Caron Santha, Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy
