Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome: A Distinct Kind of Inattention

Some children and adolescents experience a unique type of attention problem with symptoms including excessive daydreaming, staring or zoning out, being lost in one’s thoughts, sleepiness, and peer relationship challenges. These behaviors, once called sluggish cognitive tempo, are now known as cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS). Up to 40 percent of children with ADHD also experience symptoms of CDS, such as trouble getting going and taking longer than others to complete activities or tasks.

While CDS is not an official diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, decades of research confirm that CDS is an important type of inattention that negatively impacts day-to-day functioning.

In this webinar, you will learn:

• About the similarities and differences between CDS and ADHD
• How CDS increases risk for internalizing conditions, academic impairments, sleep problems, and strained peer relationships
• About the specific types of behaviors common in individuals presenting with CDS, and the approaches to assessing CDS with mental health providers
• About research findings on evidence-based treatment of CDS, and evidence that stimulants aren’t as effective as they are with ADHD symptoms
• About ideas for strategies at home and in school to decrease the negative impact of CDS