Difficulty following instructions means a child often misses, forgets or only partly completes what they are asked to do, even when they are not being deliberately defiant. It can be linked to attention, language understanding, working memory, hearing or sensory factors. If this happens often, the best next step is a professional assessment, and support is available at Bloom Beyond Enabling in Al Jaddaf, Dubai, including speech therapy.
Many Dubai parents describe the same daily scene: you ask your child to put on their shoes, pick up their bag and come to the door, and ten minutes later they are in the living room with one shoe on. It is easy to feel frustrated, and just as easy to wonder whether something is wrong. In most cases, there is a reason behind the behaviour, and understanding it makes a real difference.
To follow an instruction, a child has to notice that someone is speaking to them, take in the words, understand what they mean, hold them in mind and then plan and carry out the actions in the right order. A difficulty at any one of these steps can make it look as though the child "isn't listening".
This is why a child can seem to hear perfectly well when you mention ice cream from across the house, yet appear to tune out a request to tidy their room. Looking at the whole chain, rather than only the final behaviour, helps families and therapists find where the breakdown happens.
Working memory. Working memory is the mind's short-term notepad. Children with a smaller or less reliable notepad may remember the first or last part of an instruction but lose the middle. Three-part requests such as "wash your hands, get your plate and sit down" can be too much to hold at once.
Language understanding. Some children can speak well but find it harder to understand longer sentences, new vocabulary or words like "before", "after" and "except". Children growing up with more than one language in Dubai may also understand instructions more easily in one language than another, which is a normal part of bilingual development rather than a problem in itself.
Attention. A child who is absorbed in a game may genuinely not register that you have spoken. Attention difficulties can make it harder to switch focus, and this is one reason families sometimes ask whether an attention difficulty is involved.
Sensory and environmental factors. Background noise, bright lighting or a busy room can make it harder for some children to process what they hear. Children with sensory processing differences may find it especially tiring to filter out competing sounds.
Emotions and routine. Tiredness, hunger, anxiety or a sudden change in routine can all reduce how much a child can take in at that moment.
Studies of children's language development suggest that working memory and language skills develop together, and that many children with language difficulties also have weaker short-term memory for spoken information. Because these difficulties are often hidden, they are sometimes mistaken for poor behaviour or lack of effort. That is why looking at how a child understands and remembers language, rather than assuming they are choosing not to listen, is so important.
Small changes in how you give instructions can make success far more likely. These are general tips, not a substitute for individual advice.
Get attention first. Move close, say your child's name and wait for eye contact or a pause before you speak.
Keep it short. Use one clear step at a time, such as "Shoes on", then add a second step once your child is succeeding.
Show as well as tell. Gestures, pictures and demonstrations give the brain a second route to understanding. A simple visual routine for mornings can be very helpful.
Reduce distractions. Turn off the television or move to a quieter space before giving an important instruction.
Ask your child to repeat it back. Hearing themselves say "shoes, then bag" helps lock the steps in memory.
Celebrate effort. Specific praise such as "You remembered both jobs" builds confidence and motivation.
A speech and language therapist can look at how your child understands and remembers spoken language and teach strategies to strengthen these skills through play. An occupational therapist can explore whether sensory or organisational difficulties are making it harder to carry out tasks, while ABA therapy can break daily routines into small, teachable steps for children who benefit from structured support. At Bloom Beyond Enabling, our multidisciplinary team in Al Jaddaf works together so that families in Dubai and across the UAE receive joined-up support.
It is worth seeking an assessment if your child frequently struggles with simple instructions, seems not to understand what is said, has delayed speech, or if the difficulty is affecting school, friendships or family life. Please do not rely on self-diagnosis, as an experienced professional can look at the full picture.
Yes, to a degree. Young children are still developing attention, memory and language, so missed or partly followed instructions are common. If the difficulty is frequent, affects daily routines or comes with other concerns, a professional assessment is a sensible next step.
It can be one possible factor, which is why a hearing check is often recommended early. Many children who struggle with instructions have normal hearing, so understanding language and working memory are also worth exploring.
No, not on its own. Difficulty following instructions has many possible causes, including language, attention, memory, sensory and emotional factors. Only a qualified professional can say what is behind it after an assessment.
Start with short, clear, one-step instructions, get your child's attention first, and show or demonstrate as well as tell. Praise success and build up gradually to two-step instructions as your child becomes confident.
Bloom Beyond Enabling offers speech therapy, occupational therapy, ABA therapy and clinical psychology at 601, 602 & 701 Al Nastaran Tower, Al Jaddaf Waterfront, Dubai. Our team can assess how your child understands and remembers language and recommend suitable support.
If you are concerned about how your child follows instructions, we would be happy to help. Call +971 4 554 5234 or +971 52 600 4107, email bloom@bloombeyond.me, or visit us at 601, 602 & 701 Al Nastaran Tower, Al Jaddaf Waterfront, Dubai. You can arrange an assessment at a time that suits your family.
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