Development of a Site Specific DMT Clinical Model for Children with ADHD Symptoms in Costa Rica

Abstract

The present research is a systematic literature based study with online consultation. It intended to design a site specific DMT clinical model designed for addressing the needs of school age children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms treated by the ADHD Team at the Clinica Clorito Picado in San Jose, Costa Rica.ADHD is described as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactive and impulsive behavior that appears as the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood. In Costa Rica, the “ADHD Team” of the Clinica Clorito Picado, a major public clinic for outpatient medical services, provides assessment and bio-psycho-social intervention for children and adolescents with ADHD and their families. However, the treatment found in this Clinic is based on the intake of medication for the children, and emotional support and education for parents. There is not a direct psycho-social treatment for the children. The ADHD Team has identified a need to deploy short-term therapeutic interventions to help these children develop the skills needed to better adapt to their environment.Since Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) incorporates interpersonal interactions, verbal and non-verbal communication, and the integration and expression of emotional conflicts in motion, it serves as a possible and effective approach to ADHD symptoms interventions. By being able to adapt techniques and interventions for specific cultural and clinical needs of this population; DMT can provide individuals the opportunity to perform and learn from the therapeutic process.The research question was stated as: which specific goals and interventions should be taken into account when developing a DMT treatment model for children with ADHD symptoms that are treated in this Clinic? The data collection was compiled by a systematic literature review and online consultation with the ADHD Team. Data was then analyzed using Garrard’s Matrix Method, which was implemented to organize and synthesize the information in order to deliver the outcome of the study.A ten-week model is designed with the overall goal contributing to improvement in insight, self control, verbal and non-verbal communication, interpersonal interactions and parenting skills of school age children with ADHD symptoms and their families. Specific goals and interventions are described for each session, providing the reader with a rational for their used according with DMT theory.%%%%M.A., Creative Arts in Therapy – Drexel University, 2008