Organizational skills training for children with ADHD

Abstract

IntroductionIn addition to problems with inattention and hyperactivity, children with ADHD show poor organizational skills required for managing time and materials in academic projects. Poor organizational skills are associated with academic underachievement as well as psychosocial, occupational and economic difficulties. Behavioral approaches for ADHD are effective in reducing hyperactivity symptoms and behavioral problems, but the effects on academic functioning have been modest. An increasing emphasis on treatment of organizational skills has emerged in recent years, as difficulties with time management and organization of materials tend to persist and increase with age despite medication and behavioral treatments.ObjectivesThe primary objective is to investigate whether organizational skills training has a positive effect on organizational skills. The secondary and exploratory objectives are to investigate the effect on ADHD symptoms, adaptive functioning, academic performance and cognitive functions with a 24 weeks follow up.AimsOur goal is to provide cost-effective group-based treatment for children with ADHD and their parents. This will be the first randomized and controlled trial of organizational skills in Denmark.MethodsParticipants are included in two sites in Southern Denmark and will be randomized to Organizational skills training or treatment as usual. Organizational skills training will be provided in a group format for children and parents over 10 weeks.Perspectives Given the strong association between organizational skills and functional outcome, it is very important to address organizational skills in children and adolescents with ADHD as organizational skills deficits hinder the academic performance of even gifted students with ADHD and increase with age.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.