Attention is a foundational cognitive function that determines how we filter and engage with the world. In occupational therapy, understanding attention is key to evaluating a client’s ability to complete daily tasks safely and independently. For students and caregivers, this knowledge helps explain why someone may struggle to focus, follow instructions, or multitask.
This guide uses a relatable analogy and a simple acronym (FASS-D) to help you remember the five core types of attention.
The Busy Coffee Shop Analogy
Imagine trying to read a book in a bustling coffee shop. Around you: loud music, chatting customers, baristas calling out orders, your phone buzzing, the smell of pastries. How you manage this environment involves several types of attention:
Focused Attention
Definition: The basic ability to respond to a single, specific stimulus.
Coffee Shop Example: Turning your head when the barista calls your name.
Symbol: A spotlight shining on one object.
Sustained Attention
Definition: Maintaining attention over a period of time without losing focus.
Coffee Shop Example: Reading your book continuously for 30 minutes.
Symbol: A long winding road.
Selective Attention
Definition: Focusing on one task while filtering out irrelevant stimuli.
Coffee Shop Example: Ignoring chatter, clinking cups, and music to stay absorbed in your book.
Symbol: Noise-cancelling headphones.
Alternating Attention
Definition: Shifting focus between tasks that demand different cognitive skills.
Coffee Shop Example: Reading a page, pausing to respond to a text, then resuming reading.
Symbol: A seesaw or ping-pong game.
Divided Attention
Definition: Responding to two things simultaneously. This is the most difficult type of attention.
Coffee Shop Example: Holding a conversation with a friend while reading your book.
Symbol: A person reading while talking on the phone.
The FASS-D Acronym
To remember the five components of attention, use this simple acronym:
Focused
Alternating
Sustained
Selective
Divided
FASS-D captures both the structure and difficulty gradient, from the simplest (focused) to the most complex (divided).
Clinical and Care Applications
For OTs:
- Use this model to observe clients in task-based assessments (e.g., cooking or hygiene routines)
- Document the type of attention breakdown present during activities
- Tailor strategies accordingly (e.g., environmental modifications for selective attention)
For Students:
- Apply this model when analyzing case studies or writing evaluations
- Use FASS-D to structure documentation of attention skills
For Caregivers:
- Understand why your loved one might struggle in noisy or busy environments
- Reduce distractions during important tasks (medication, meal prep)
- Be patient when switching between tasks becomes difficult
Conclusion
Attention is not just one skill — it’s a set of cognitive tools that work together to manage real-life demands. Using the coffee shop analogy and FASS-D acronym makes it easier to teach, remember, and apply these concepts in clinical, educational, and caregiving settings.
Proceed to Part 2: “Types of Long-Term Memory – The Memory Library”.
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