Slow processing refers to a slower speed at which a child (or adult) is able to take in, process, and respond to information. This means that they may take longer to complete tasks, follow directions, or respond to questions.
It is important to understand that slow processing is not a choice and is more than laziness or lack of motivation. It is a real cognitive difficulty that some individuals may experience and can have a significant impact on their academic and social functioning, and lead to frustration, anxiety, and low self-esteem if not addressed.
Slow processing can be caused by various factors including:
Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for example, affects an individual’s ability to pay attention, sit still and control impulsive behavior. Children with ADHD often have difficulties with processing information and may take longer to complete tasks than their peers.
Learning Disabilities: Children with learning disabilities may struggle with processing information, which can result in slower processing speeds.
Mental Health Conditions: individuals experiencing anxiety or depression may find it difficult to concentrate, which can lead to slower processing speeds.
Genetics: Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to slower processing speeds.
Some simple games and exercises at home could help with boosting mental processing speed, but it is important to seek professional evaluation and support if you suspect that your child is struggling with slow processing speed.
Try This: One great exercise is to use an everyday deck of cards – sort the cards by value, suit, and color combinations as fast as you can with the aim to push your mental speed limit as high as it will go.
If you would like to get more information about cognitive skills evaluation and how we can help improve processing speed, please feel free to contact us.