Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterised by impulsiveness, an inability to maintain attention and hyperactive behaviour. The presence of a child with ADHD is a stressor that has a significant impact on family adaptation. The purpose of this study was to identify associations between parenting styles, coping strategies and the adaptation of families with children with ADHD from a family resilience perspective. Family resilience refers to the ability of a family to re-evaluate challenging life situations or stressors in such a manner as to develop resilience, so that the family adapts, recovers and becomes stronger as a result of the experience. Some 102 South African families with previously diagnosed children with ADHD between the ages of 5 and 13 years participated in this study. A single cross-sectional research method was used. Quantitative data was collected by means of a biographical questionnaire and three self rapporting questionnaires. The results of this study confirmed existing theories and previous research of a similar nature. The Pearson correlation coefficient analysis revealed strong positive correlations between dimensions of the authoritative parenting style (connection, autonomy granting and regulation) and of re-evaluation and mobilisation (as coping strategies). The authoritative parenting style also correlates strongly with family adaptation. The three dimensions of the authoritarian parenting style (physical coercion, verbal hostility, and non-reasoning) have a strong negative correlation with family adaptation. Physical coercion also has a positive correlation with the coping strategy looking for spiritual support. The coping strategy passivity, in turn, showed a negative correlation with the authoritarian parenting style. Also the permissive parenting style correlates negatively with the coping strategy re-evaluation and passivity, while it also correlates negatively with family adaptation. A regression analysis further revealed medication, connection and regulation (as dimensions of the authoritative parenting style) as the best subset predictable variables, with family adaptation as the dependent variable. A mixed repetitive model with ANOVA-measures was used to identify differences between parents. Mothers obtained higher scores for connection, autonomy granting and authoritative parenting than fathers. The biographical data generally supported previous research findings. There was a strong genetic link between parents and children with ADHD (51% of parents also indicated that they were diagnosed with ADHD), 78% of the children used medication and 34% of the children had co-morbid conditions. The findings of this study fill a gap in the literature about the impact of parenting styles and coping strategies on the adaptation of families with children with ADHD. Further research is urgently needed to help South African parents of children with ADHD learn productive coping styles in order to improve family adaptation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Aandagtekort/Hiperaktiwiteitsversteuring (AT/HV) word gekenmerk deur impulsiwiteit, aandaggebrek en hiperaktiewe gedrag. Die teenwoordigheid van 'n kind met AT/HV is 'n stressor wat 'n beduidende impak op gesinsaanpassing het. Die doel van hierdie studie was om verbande te ondersoek tussen ouerskapstyle, hanteringstrategieë en die aanpassing van gesinne met kinders met AT/HV vanuit 'n gesinsveerkragtigheidsperspektief. Gesinsveerkragtigheid verwys na 'n gesin se vermoë om uitdagende lewenssituasies of stressors op só 'n manier te herbeoordeel dat weerstandigheid gekweek word en dat die gesin aanpas, herstel en versterk word deur die ervaring. Altesaam 102 Suid-Afrikaanse gesinne met vooraf gediagnoseerde kinders met AT/HV tussen die ouderdom van 5 en 13 jaar het aan die studie deelgeneem. 'n Eenmalige dwarssnitopname-navorsingsontwerp is gebruik. Kwantitatiewe data is ingesamel met behulp van ’n biografiese vraelys en drie selfvoltooiingsvraelyste. Resultate van die onderhawige ondersoek bevestig bestaande teorieë en soortgelyke vorige navorsing. Pearson korrellasiekoëffisiëntontledings dui op sterk positiewe korrelasies tussen dimensies van die gesaghebbende ouerskapstyl (konneksie, outonomie-gewendheid en regulering) en herbeoordeling en mobilisering (as hanteringstyl). Die gesaghebbende ouerskapstyl korreleer ook sterk met gesinsaanpassing. Die outoritêre ouerskapstyl se drie dimensies - fisieke forsering, verbale vyandigheid en geen verduideliking - het 'n sterk negatiewe statisties beduidende korrelasie met gesinsaanpassing getoon. Fisieke forsering het ook 'n positiewe korrelasie getoon met die hanteringstyl soeke na spirituele ondersteuning. Die hanteringstyl passiwiteit het weer 'n negatiewe korrelasie getoon met die outoritêre ouerskapstyl. Ook die permissiewe ouerskapstyl het negatiewe korrelasies getoon met die hanteringstyle herbeoordeling en passiwiteit terwyl dit ook negatief gekorreleer het met gesinsaanpassing. 'n Regressie-ontleding het medikasie, konneksie en regulering (as dimensies van die gesaghebbende ouerskapstyl) as die beste substel voorspellerveranderlikes uitgewys met gesinsaanpassing as die afhanklike veranderlike. 'n Gemengde-herhalingsmodel met ANOVA-metings is gebruik om geslagsverskille tussen ouers te ondersoek. Geslagsverskille tussen ma's en pa's het daarop gedui dat ma's hoër tellings behaal het vir konneksie, outonomie-gewendheid en die gesaghebbende ouerskapstyl as pa's. Die biografiese data het meestal vorige navorsingsbevindinge ondersteun. Daar is 'n sterk genetiese band gevind tussen ouers en kinders met AT/HV (51% van ouers het ook aangedui dat hulle met AT/HV gediagnoseer is), 78% van die kinders het medikasie gebruik en 34% van die kinders het ko-morbiede toestande gehad. Die bevindinge van hierdie ondersoek vul ’n leemte in die literatuur oor die verband tussen ouerskapstyle en hanteringstrategieë en die aanpassing van gesinne met kinders met AT/HV. Verdere navorsing word dringend benodig om Suid-Afrikaanse ouers met kinders met AT/HV te help om 'n goed-georkestreerde ondersteuningsnetwerk te ontwikkel wat ouers, die kinders self, die gesin in sy geheel en hierdie kinders se funksionering binne skole te kan bystaan.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The labelling and marginalisation practices implemented and sustained by conventional methods of education and psychology motivated the research curiosity. The significance of the learner's own experiences, the learner's own meaning-making through his/her own story-telling or the stories others tell about him/her and the constituting effects of alternative identity conclusions are explored as means of creating more preferred identity conclusions In engaging in the re-tellings of a learner's experiences at home and school, a qualitative research practice has been apllied, revealing meaning-making of alternative stories. Feminist theory and post-modern ideas and discourses have assisted me, and the participant, in the deconstruction of ADHD, depression, identity and divorce which contributed to the marginalisation of a learner due to dominant discourses within culture, education and psychopathology. Narrative approaches to therapy and an ethic of participation have guided us to emphasise the necessity of recognising a learner's preferred ways of understanding his/her experiences and what that tells about the person. Pseudonyms have been used to respect the participant's privacy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ettikettering en marginaliserende praktyke wat gebasseer en onderhou word deur konvensionele opvoedkundige en sielkundige diskoerse, het die navorsingsnuuskierigheid by my ontlok. Die beduidenheid van 'n leerder se eie ervarings en pogings tot betekenismaking deur die oorvertel van sy/haar eie stories en die aanhoor van ander se stories oor hom/haar word uitgelig. Die konstitusionerende aard van hierdie alternatiewe identiteitskonklusies word geeksploreer om meer verkose identiteitskonsepte daar te stel. Met my deelname aan die oorvertelling van die leerder se ervarings by sy huis en skool, is 'n kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering gevolg, wat die betekenismaking van alternatiewe stories kan uitlig. Feministiese teorie, postmoderne denke en diskoerse was die sleutels wat gebruik is deur my en die deelnemers, om die betekenis van ADHD, depressie, identiteit en egskeiding te ontsluit en te dekonstrueer. Die marginaliserende praktyke wat in die naam van hierdie fenomene gepleeg word binne die dominante kultuur, opvoedkundige praktyke en psigopatologie word bevraagteken. 'n Narratiewe benadering tot terapie en 'n etiek van deelname het ons gelei om die nodige erkenning aan die leerder se verkose maniere om sy ervaringe te verwoord en wat dit omtrent sy identiteit impliseer. Pseudoname is gebruik om die deelnemer se privaatheid te respekteer.

Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD) is a syndrome characterized by impaired social perception, visual-spatial skills, fine motor coordination, and mathematics abilities. Researchers have found that children with NVLD often have significant symptoms of inattention, and there is evidence that the majority of children with NVLD also meet clinical criteria for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Predominantly Inattentive Subtype (ADHD:PI) (Brown, 2000; Gross-Tsur & Shalev, 1995; Voeller, 1996). Although significant overlap is observed between NVLD and behavioral symptoms of ADHD, little research has focused on the specific attention problems of children with NVLD. Given the high incidence of co-morbid attention problems with NVLD (Brown, 2000), many researchers have proposed that overlapping neural regions are responsible for the similarity in attention impairments observed in both NVLD and ADHD:PI (Denckla, 2000; Stefanatos, 2001). Other researchers suggest that there are distinct neurological impairments in children with NVLD and both subtypes of ADHD that result in attention problems. Specifically, Rourke (1995) suggested a developmental sequence that results in generally intact auditory attention with impaired attention for visual stimuli in children with NVLD. This study sought to reconcile the discrepancy between conceptualizations of attention problems in children with NVLD. It was hypothesized that children with NVLD would exhibit distinct profiles of strengths and weaknesses on neuropsychological measures of attention compared to children with ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Subtype (ADHD:PI) and ADHD, Combined Subtype (ADHD:C). Specifically, it was expected that the three diagnostic groups would differ on the neuropsychological measures depending on the attention modality (auditory vs. visual). Extant neuropsychological data from 88 children between the ages of 9 and 15 years of age with diagnoses of NVLD, ADHD:PI, and ADHD:C were analyzed. Neuropsychological measures of processing speed, working memory, vigilance, and inhibition were examined to compare specific domains of attention functioning in the three groups. Evidence from the current study supported the model in which NVLD and the two ADHD subtypes represent a continuum of dysfunction dependant on overlapping neural regions. Moreover, specific attention strengths and weaknesses in children with NVLD compared to children with ADHD:PI, ADHD:C, and normative data were identified in order to inform clinical diagnosis and intervention. / text

This study examined the emotion recognition of children (ages 7-9 years) with and without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Children completed two emotion recognition measures, the Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy 2 (DANVA2) and the Child and Adolescent Social Perception measure (CASP). Children and their parents also completed an assessment of children’s social skills, the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS). Children with ADHD reported a significantly greater level of depressive symptoms and had significantly lower full scale IQ scores than children without ADHD. When these differences were accounted for, children with ADHD continued to show a handful of deficits in emotion recognition. They demonstrated difficulties in emotion recognition on the DANVA2 regarding specific emotions, fear and sadness. On the CASP, children with ADHD made significantly more errors than children without ADHD due to a tendency to make up information to explain how they were able to identify feelings. Children’s performance on the emotion recognition measures did not significantly mediate the relation between their diagnostic status and social skills (as rated by parents). In summary, additional evidence was found regarding the deficits in emotion recognition experienced by children with ADHD, however, further work needs to be done to determine if these deficits relate to the peer difficulties experienced by these children.

No description available.

Studien analyserar vad arbetsgivare har för uppfattningar beträffande personer med ADHD på en arbetsplats. Semistrukturerade intervjuer har använts som datainsamlingsmetod. Urvalet består av sju arbetsgivare inom den privata sektorn. Studien har inspirerats av den fenomeno-grafiska ansatsen, där olika uppfattningar om ett fenomen står i centrum. Teoretiska analysbe-grepp för den här studien är social kategorisering och den medicinska och sociala modellen kopplat till funktionsnedsättningar. Resultatet presenteras i fem teman. Viktiga slutsatser är att informanterna ansåg att ADHD är ett svårfångat fenomen. Personer med ADHD anses kräva mycket tid, tolerans och tålamod av arbetsgivaren. Det ansågs finnas en lägsta gräns för hur mycket vinstdrivande verksamheter kan och bör anpassa sig efter de anställdas behov. Eko-nomiskt stöd ansågs vara nödvändigt för att kunna anpassa arbetsplatsen. Informanterna ansåg att det kan gagna arbetsgivaren och personen själv om personen berättar om sin diagnos. Sam-tidigt trodde informanterna att det kunde finnas svårigheter i att få ett jobb om en person be-rättar att denne har en diagnos innan denne är anställd. Genomgående för studien är att ar-betsgivarna anser att det är viktigt att se personen och inte diagnosen. Informanterna utgick mestadels från den medicinska modellen i studien och hade en tendens att kategorisera perso-ner med ADHD. / The purpose of this study is to analyze what kind of perceptions employers have regarding ADHD in the workplace. Semi-structured interviews were used as data-collection-method. The selection consist seven interviews with employers within the private sector. The study has been inspired by the phenomenographic approach. The medical and social model in relation to disability as well as social-categorizations is the analytical tools. The results are presented in five themes. Our study shows that employers thought that ADHD is a phenomenon which is difficult to define. According to the informants ADHD requires much time, tolerance and pa-tience. For the employers there seemed to be a limit regarding how much the workplace can adapt to the individual, and financial support was considered necessary to adapt the work-place. Employers felt that it is beneficial if the person with ADHD is open about his diagno-sis. However, they also thought it could be more difficult to get a job if the person talked about his diagnosis before he is employed. Throughout the study employers considered it to be important to see the person behind the diagnosis. The employers regarded mostly disabili-ties from the medical model and had a tendency to social-categorized people with ADHD.

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) find academic and performing age-appropriate perceptual-motor skills more difficult than their peers. According to research, children classified as learning disabled often show signs of one or more syndromes of developmental disorders rather than an isolated, discrete disability. The more common learning disorders include disabilities related to verbal communication development, reading disorders, gross and fine motor dysfunction and motor hyperactivity. Attention disorders, including or excluding hyperactivity, are not considered learning disabilities in themselves. However, because attention problems can gravely interfere with school performance, they are often associated with problems concerning academic skills Literature further reveals that boys are more inclined to motor problems, learning disabilities and ADHD, compared to girls. With regards to racial diversity, limited information is available, even though some literature implies that certain racial diversities differ to some extent regarding motor problems (DCD). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between DCD, learning disabilities and ADHD of children (N = 99) in the age group 6 to 7 years in Potchefstroom in the NW province. A second purpose was to examine the differences between gender and certain racial groups in the age group 6 to 7years in Potchefstroom with regards to to DCD, learning disabilities and ADHD. Two grade one classes were randomly selected from three selected schools in the Potchefstroom district proportionally representing the different racial groups [white (n = 37), black (n = 50), Coloured (n = 12)]. In this group, 48 boys and 53 girls were evaluated with the Movement ABC (MABC) (Henderson & Sugden, 1992), the Aptitude test for school beginners (ASB) (Swart et a/., 1994), the Modified Conner's abbreviated teacher and the Taylor Hyperactivity checklist (Lowenberg & Lucas, 1999). The Statistics for Windows computer package was used for analyzing the data. The group of children without DCD showed a statistically significant higher total ASB scores than the DCD group (p ≤ 0.00). A multiple regression analysis showed a statistically significant interaction between DCD, learning disabilities and ADHD which varied between 22% and 36%. Analysis of differences in the ASB of boys and girls with and without DCD showed no significant interactions, although racial interactions (p < 0.001) were found with the DCD group (p < 0.025). Boys with DCD did not perform as well as the girls in the coordination subtest, and their ADHD totals indicate more symptoms than those of the girls. Black children's numerical skills, verbal communication and the ASB total appeared to be considerably lower than the values of the white children. Overall, the conclusion can be made that DCD has an effect on 6 to 7-year old children's learning abilities and to a lesser extent on their ADHD status. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

The purpose of this study was to determine, by means of a review of literature and empirical research, the impact of dietary interventions on the classroom health promotion of Foundation Phase learners with ADD. In order to reach this goal, it was imperative to illustrate the meaning of the concepts health, wellness, health promoting schools, nutrition and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). The objective of the empirical research was to determine whether dietary interventions would promote the health of Foundation Phase learners with ADD in the classroom by focusing on decreasing their levels of hyperactivity, increasing their concentration and improving their social behaviour. In conclusion, the following are some of the findings of this study. Dietary interventions impacted positively on: the hyperactivity level of participating foundation phase learners with ADD in the classroom; the ability of participating foundation phase learners with ADD to concentrate in the classroom; and the social behaviour of participating foundation phase learners with ADD in the classroom. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005.

The objective of the present study was to investigate Amen's formulations of subtypes of AD/HD initially identified by brain imaging techniques, through the use of behavioral checklist data. And in testing Amen's theory of six separate subtypes of AD/HD, to identify and differentiate the subtypes based on symptom presentation. Data was obtained through retrospective chart reviews (N=161) of children between the ages of 5 and 12 who met the criteria for the major symptoms observed in AD/HD and were referred for a previous comprehensive AD/HD evaluation. Data from behavioral checklist (CBCL and DBRS-IV) were matched to Amen's Subtype Symptom Checklist and each subject was given a percentage score for six subtype symptoms. Cluster analysis reliably found six clusters and each subject was labeled according to their symptom presentation. The clusters found were labeled as AD/HD - Combined Type, AD/HD - Predominately Inattentive Type, AD/HD - Predominately Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, Ad/HD - Combined Type with Obsessive-Compulsive features, AD/HD - Combined Type with Obsessive/Compulsive and Conduct Disorder features and Undifferentiated AD/HD. However, the present study did not find evidence of subtypes that corresponded to Amen's Temporal Lobe ADD or Limbic ADD. Discriminant function analysis of the six clusters found that the variables in the model (symptom percentage scores) significantly discriminated the subtype classification. Also, 76% of all cases were correctly classified according to their symptom presentation. Potential limitations of the sample and the data used for interpretation were discussed. Limitations of the study warrant further investigation making use of multi-modal assessment tools which relate well with brain imaging techniques, such as neuropsychological measures of attention and concentration, laboratory based measures of activity, continuous performance tests measuring inattention and impulsivity, and QEEG data measuring brain wave information. A multi-modal approach to investigating symptom subtypes of AD/HD would likely provide increased reliability and validity of differential diagnosis, and therefore, more effective treatment of children with the presenting symptomology of AD/HD. The diagnostic and clinical implications' of each cluster subtype symptomology found in the present study was discussed as well.

It has been theorized that parents indirectly influence children's peer functioning through aspects of the parent-child relationship. One specific group of children that exhibit significant problems with peers and in interactions with parents is children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Given the limited research examining family-peer links in children with ADHD, the purpose of the current study was to examine the association between aspects of the parent-child relationship and peer functioning in boys and girls with and without ADHD. In the current study, participants included 91 boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 11 years old and their parents. Fifty-four of these children were previously diagnosed with ADHD, Combined or Hyperactive/Impulsive Type. Parents and children participated in a parent-child interaction and then completed several measures assessing the parent-child relationship and peer acceptance. Teacher reports of peer acceptance were also obtained. The results of a multiple regression indicate some support for a family-peer links in children with ADHD. Positive parental affect expressed during a parent-child interaction was the strongest predictor of child-reported peer acceptance in children diagnosed with ADHD. However, parents making positive comments about the child or giving physical affection to the child during parent-child interactions did not predict children's peer acceptance. Negative parenting behaviors showed trends toward significance in predicting lower level's of child-reported peer acceptance in both children with ADHD and undiagnosed children. Parents making negative comments about the child appeared to be the most important predictor of low peer acceptance. Parent and child reports of parental rejection failed to show a significant effect for peer acceptance in both children with ADHD and undiagnosed children. However, among children with ADHD, child-reported parental rejection approached significance as a predictor of peer acceptance. Overall, the results of the current study lend some support to the theory that parents of children with ADHD indirectly affect their children's peer acceptance through parent behaviors. Clinically, these results suggest that interventions with children with ADHD could also focus on parents expression of positive affect and decreasing negative comments. The limitations of the current study and directions for future research will be presented.