Object permanence refers to understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight. Some people may misinterpret symptoms of ADHD as problems with object permanence, but research suggests this is not a common experience in ADHD.
Object permanence is a developmental milestone in childhood when the brain begins to understand that objects continue to exist even if you cannot see them at some point.
For example, object permanence tells you that when you temporarily leave a room, that white chair is still there. It’s also the understanding that if the chair is not there, it still exists elsewhere and didn’t just vanish.
For a child, object permanence is also about knowing a loved one still exists even if they cannot see them in the same room.
Current cognitive models suggest object permanence begins around
Problems with object permanence are not a formal symptom of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and there is currently no research that indicates children or adults with ADHD have had difficulty achieving object permanence.
Stephanie Lewis, a licensed social worker and executive director at Epiphany Wellness Center in Blackwood, New Jersey, explains working memory and attention challenges in ADHD are often mistaken for a lack of object permanence.
“ADHD can affect working memory and attention span; it can make it harder to keep track of things that aren’t right in front of you,” said Lewis. “This can sometimes look like a lack of object permanence, but it’s more about the challenges of staying focused and remembering things.”
If you have ADHD, objects that aren’t right in front of you may become perceptually “invisible,” meaning you don’t acknowledge the object because it’s “out of sight, out of mind.” This doesn’t mean you don’t know the object exists. It simply means its existence is unimportant in the moment.
“Impulsivity, distractibility, and inattention, common in ADHD, might hinder [some people] from believing that things which are invisible still need attention,” said April Crowe, a licensed clinical social worker in Texas. “Such a situation can sometimes create an impression of [a lack of object permanence].”
People who receive a diagnosis of ADHD often experience symptoms related to attention and memory, such as:
- difficulty staying focused on a task
- losing objects easily or not remembering they exist (e.g. finding a shirt they bought months before and didn’t remember)
- forgetting about activities and obligations
- difficulty remembering names or faces
- trouble planning ahead
- losing track of conversations
- being easily distracted
These ADHD experiences aren’t related to a lack of object permanence. Although medical professionals haven’t established the cause of ADHD, these symptoms may stem from structural and functional changes in areas of the brain related to attention, memory, learning, and judgment.
Inattention and forgetfulness are not signs of a lack of object permanence in people with or without ADHD.
On the surface, these symptoms can resemble challenges with object permanence because they involve your working memory. But subtle differences exist.
“These symptoms more accurately reflect problems related to executive functions like working memory deficit or task management difficulty rather than being directly connected with object constancy itself,” explained Crowe.
A lack of object permanence isn’t a formal medical condition with specific signs and symptoms. But experts have tracked it in research using different scales, such as the Object Permanence Scale (OPS).
In the OPS, experts study a baby’s cognitive performance related to understanding, learning, and problem-solving (working memory).
The OPS includes tests like:
- holding a toy at eye level and moving it to see if a baby tracks the movement with their eyes
- placing a toy in a nontransparent container to see if the baby moves to retrieve it
- putting two identical washcloths on a table and hiding a toy under one to see if the baby moves to select the correct washcloth with the toy
As the tests advance, the skill to find the toy grows. Because working memory is a part of cognitive development, researchers are evaluating a baby’s ability to understand and remember an object’s existence when the baby cannot see it in different scenarios.
Even if the baby scores low when the tests start to require more memory recall, attempting to find the hidden toy still indicates some sense of object permanence.
Simply put, forgetting about something or being easily distracted from it are not indications that you don’t believe it exists.
Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when unseen. Emotional permanence is the understanding that emotions continue to exist even when someone doesn’t express them directly.
“[Emotional permanence] is about believing that relationships and emotions continue even when you’re not actively experiencing them,” said Lewis. “It’s a different but related idea. If you struggle with emotional permanence, you might feel insecure or anxious when not getting immediate reassurance, which can have a deep impact on your relationships.”
Not everyone living with ADHD requires medical support. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that ranges in symptoms and severity. It can affect everyone differently.
If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms that affect daily life, speaking with a doctor and a mental health professional can help.
Medications are available to improve focus and attention. Common options include stimulants like Adderall and non-stimulants like Strattera. Medical professionals typically suggest using these medications in combination with behavioral therapies and environmental supports that work to strengthen positive habits and develop self-regulation skills.
Not everyone experiencing inattention or forgetfulness in ADHD needs medications. A doctor will work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan that considers your individual needs and preferences.
Object permanence is a developmental milestone babies achieve when they can understand that objects continue to exist even when they aren’t in sight.
Some people believe inattention and forgetfulness in ADHD are related to a challenge in developing object permanence, but research doesn’t indicate this is the case. A lack of object permanence is not a formal symptom of ADHD.
Forgetfulness and inattention in ADHD are typically related to challenges retaining information and sustaining focus, not the inability to understand an object exists even if you cannot see it.