An increasing number of children are being diagnosed with a little-known condition called slow processing disorder.
It results in difficulty in understanding and retrieving information from the brain at high speed.
Slow processing can also be diagnosed in later years, requiring coping mechanisms in your professional and personal life.
If you’re wondering if you or your child may be affected, here are some questions to consider…
What is slow processing?
Psychologist Dr Morvwen Duncan says it can be helpful to think of the brain as a computer
Slow processing disorder is a special educational need (SEN) that does not correlate with intelligence, but may mean that it takes more time to complete tasks that involve receiving and understanding information.
Dr Morvwen Duncan, clinical psychologist at The Lotus Psychology Practice (thelotuspsychology Practice.co.uk), says it might be helpful to think of the brain as a computer, “receiving information from all the senses in a constant stream of data.” . Processing speed is how quickly the brain can take in information and decide how to respond.’
Jacqui Strubel, specialist teacher and SEN consultant at foster learning.co.uk, says: “It can be a stand-alone condition, but it can also co-exist with other special educational needs” such as ADHD, dyslexia or dyscalculia.
What are the symptoms?
Signs, according to Lynn Lovell, director of professional standards at the British Dyslexia Association (bda.uk.com), can include: ‘Being slow to respond to verbal instructions or questions; take longer than others to read or write; feeling overwhelmed by too much information; difficulty following conversations and picking up on social cues; poor time management; having difficulty finding the right word; and anxiety when working at high speed is required.
How are adults affected?
At work, you may have difficulty absorbing information in long meetings or following multi-step instructions. “This can lead to higher rates of stress, overwhelm and burnout in the workplace,” says Dr. Duncan.
“Slow processing speed can affect friendships and relationships, as a person may often feel “left behind” in a conversation and may frequently begin tasks that are left unfinished.”
The best coping strategies
Strubel says you should share a diagnosis with your employer because a staff member with slow processing “may not be able to
complete aspects of your job at the same time as someone else through no fault of your own. They may then need to tell their employer what the condition is.’
He also suggests color-coding your calendar and requesting regular breaks during long meetings.
Lovell recommends taking advantage of technology. “Reading aloud software can help process written information,” he says, and “reminder apps can help memory.” Use your mobile phone’s features to help record, retrieve and plan. Request an agenda before meetings.’
