Abstract illustration symbolizing behavioral inattention.

Is Inattention Holding You Back? Understanding and Overcoming Behavioral Inattention

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Learn how the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) can identify and address spatial neglect, helping improve daily functioning and quality of life after neurological events."

Life after a stroke or traumatic brain injury can present a myriad of challenges, many of which aren't immediately obvious. One such challenge is behavioral inattention, often referred to as spatial neglect or hemi-inattention. This condition, characterized by a decreased awareness of one side of space, can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life.

Imagine struggling to notice objects on your left side, bumping into things, or having difficulty reading or writing. These are just a few of the daily struggles faced by individuals with behavioral inattention. While it's not due to motor or sensory deficits, its effects can be profound, affecting everything from personal care to navigating familiar environments.

Fortunately, there are tools and strategies to identify and address behavioral inattention. One of the most widely used assessments is the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT). This comprehensive test helps clinicians understand the extent of spatial neglect and develop targeted interventions to improve awareness and functioning.

What is the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT)?

Abstract illustration symbolizing behavioral inattention.

The Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) is a standardized assessment designed to evaluate the presence and severity of unilateral spatial neglect. Developed in the United Kingdom in 1987, the BIT has become a cornerstone in neuropsychological testing, particularly for individuals who have experienced a stroke or other neurological event.

Unlike traditional tests that focus solely on visual perception, the BIT incorporates both conventional and behavioral subtests to provide a more comprehensive assessment of inattention in real-world scenarios. This approach enhances the ecological validity of the test, making it more relevant to the challenges individuals face in their daily lives.

The BIT typically includes the following types of subtests:

Conventional Subtests: Assess basic visual-perceptual skills like line crossing, star cancellation, and figure copying.
Behavioral Subtests: Evaluate how inattention affects everyday tasks such as reading a menu, telling time, and navigating a map.
Line crossing and cancellation tests requires the examinee to cross out the target items, where the cancellation subtests add a level of difficulty with the presence of various nontarget items.
Line bisection requires the examinee to estimate and mark the center of three horizontal lines.

Administered in approximately 40 minutes, the BIT is suitable for individuals aged 19 to 83. It offers a detailed profile of an individual's attentional deficits, helping clinicians tailor interventions to address specific areas of weakness.

Moving Forward: Overcoming Inattention

The Behavioral Inattention Test is a valuable tool for identifying and understanding behavioral inattention. By assessing both conventional and everyday tasks, the BIT provides a comprehensive picture of an individual's attentional deficits. This information is crucial for developing targeted interventions to improve awareness, functioning, and overall quality of life. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of inattention, consulting with a healthcare professional for assessment and support is the first step toward overcoming these challenges and regaining independence.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/978-3-319-56782-2_9134-1, Alternate LINK

Title: Behavioral Inattention Test (Bit)

Journal: Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Authors: Elena Polejaeva, Adam J. Woods

Published: 2017-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) and how does it help in assessing spatial neglect?

The Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) is a standardized neuropsychological assessment used to evaluate the presence and severity of unilateral spatial neglect, also known as behavioral inattention. It helps clinicians understand the extent of spatial neglect, which is a decreased awareness of one side of space, particularly after events like a stroke or brain injury. The BIT differs from other tests because it uses conventional and behavioral subtests to provide a comprehensive assessment of inattention in real-world scenarios.

What types of subtests are included in the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) and what do they evaluate?

The Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) incorporates several types of subtests to evaluate different aspects of attention and spatial awareness. Conventional subtests assess basic visual-perceptual skills using tasks like line crossing, star cancellation and figure copying. Behavioral subtests evaluate how inattention affects everyday tasks such as reading a menu, telling time and navigating a map.

How are the results from the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) used, and what are the implications for rehabilitation and recovery?

The Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) results provide clinicians with a detailed profile of an individual's attentional deficits. This allows for the development of targeted interventions designed to address specific areas of weakness. By identifying the specific challenges a person faces due to spatial neglect, rehabilitation strategies can be tailored to improve awareness, functioning, and overall quality of life. For example, if someone struggles with line bisection, interventions may focus on improving spatial judgements. While the BIT identifies the deficits, it doesn't provide the interventions themselves; these need to be developed by healthcare professionals.

How does behavioral inattention, as measured by the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT), affect daily life?

Behavioral inattention or spatial neglect, which the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) aims to assess, can profoundly affect daily life. Individuals may struggle to notice objects on one side, bump into things, or have difficulty with reading and writing. These challenges can impact personal care, navigation in familiar environments, and overall independence. The BIT helps to quantify these challenges, but doesn't cover the emotional and psychological impact which also needs consideration.

When and where was the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) developed, and what are some considerations for its use and future development?

The Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) was developed in the United Kingdom in 1987. Since then, the BIT has become a cornerstone in neuropsychological testing for individuals who have experienced a stroke or other neurological event. While the BIT is widely used, further advancements in technology, such as virtual reality, may offer more ecologically valid assessments in the future. It is important to note that cultural adaptations and norms should be considered when using the BIT in diverse populations.