Indicators of Slow Processing Speed

Information adapted from Touch-type Read & Spell and Understood.org

Indicators of Processing Speed Issues in Primary School

• Becomes anxious, frustrated or tired as the day goes on

• Often disengaged (academically and/or socially)

• Low self-esteem (especially around learning)Takes a very long time to copy down notes in class

• Has trouble understanding what’s happening in busy settings (like on the playground at recess), because there are so many things happening at once

• Struggles to follow fast-paced conversations in person or online, often missing sarcasm, jokes, and social cues

• Has difficulty following instructions/directions given verbally

• Speaks slowly and often struggles to find the right word, saying things like “that thingie” instead

• Does not join in with class discussions

• Gets overwhelmed when given a lot of information at one time

• Needs more time than seems necessary to answer questions and make decisions

• Has a hard time taking notes when the teacher is speaking

• Often can’t finish tests in the set time, like tests that involve multi-step math problems

• Difficulty concentrating

• Finds it hard to tune out distractions

• Often unable to finish work on time, finds timed tasks/assessments stressful

• May rush work, or produce work that doesn’t reflect their depth of understanding

• Seems overwhelmed when presented with a lot of information

• Difficulty getting started on tasks

• Likely to be working below age related expectations

• Decodes text slowly and with lots of effort

• Difficulty with reading and writing, increasing as length and complexity of texts increases

• Struggles with timed tests (like minute-math quizzes), then rushes and makes careless errors

• Struggles with comprehension of reading

• Finds it difficult to plan and break tasks down into smaller steps

• Can’t finish homework in a reasonable amount of time