What Is Hyperfocus?

Risks And Downsides To Hyperfocus

The biggest risks and downsides to hyperfocus are that if an individual focused on one subject or task or project, they're distracted from other things. A child who hyperfocuses on one thing may neglect other aspects of their life like school or chores. They might struggle to turn their attention away from their object of interest long enough to complete unrelated homework. Being unable to engage in their area of interest may also cause distress, especially in children with autism spectrum disorders. In adults with ADHD, it's common to forget to do things like personal hygiene, cleaning, responding to messages, and sometimes even eating. Adults might also stay up for long periods rather than sleeping, which can lead to health issues.

Hyperfocus In Children

Hyperfocus can often occur in children with ADHD and autism. In some cases, hyperfocusing can lead to a delay in an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis, especially if the child tends to focus on things like schoolwork. Many parents don't believe their children can have ADHD if they observe them working single-mindedly on a task or reading up on a subject for hours on end.

On the other hand, hyperfocus can sometimes aid in autism spectrum diagnoses. The most commonly used term for subjects of interest in autistic children is 'special interests.' When autistic children become obsessively focused and fixated on a single task or subject, this can be an external sign of their neurodivergence. Parents are especially likely to notice 'special interests' if they're outside the usual norm of a neurotypical child's interests.