Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, March, 2007. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2007. / Title from PDF title page screen. Advisor: Arthur D. Anastopoulos; submitted to the Dept. of Psychology. Includes bibliographical references (p. 65-83).

Thesis (M.A.)--Baylor University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-41).

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

Children with an attention deficit disorder (ADHD) exhibit a number of behavioural characteristics which include hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness. They may experience difficulties in cognitive, academic, and social tasks which, in turn, may lead to rejection, perceived failure, and emotional upset. No clear etiology has been confirmed, with current research focusing on the role of genetics, environmental toxins, neurological factors, and parenting style. Common therapeutic interventions include medication regimes, social skills training, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and parental training in behaviour modification. Yet, reviews of these techniques suggest disappointing findings, with positive results being attributed to the prolonged monitoring of behaviours by parents/school staff rather than increased ability of a child to self-regulate and self-control. The present study examined receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language abilities in 37 children, ages 6–10, diagnosed with an attention deficit disorder. A number of neuropsychological tests (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - III: Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals - 3; Test of Language Development - Primary and Intermediate; Test of Pragmatic Language; NEPSY Auditory Attention and Response Test) and questionnaires (Child Behaviour Checklist; Social Skills Rating System) were used to investigate the relationship between language functioning and social skills competency. Analyses revealed no deficits on measures of receptive language and no gender differences (25 boys, 12 girls). However, significant differences were shown on expressive language tasks. The sample performed below the average range, with the older group of children (ages 9–10) having significant difficulties compared with the younger group of participants (ages 6–8). These deficits in language ability were related to issues in social competency including the presence of Internalizing and Externalizing behaviours. The results support research that suggests this disorder is not exclusively a deficit of attention. / Graduate

M.A. (Psychology) / Psychotic Disorders, adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (aADHD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Although the different groups were compared the primary aim was to learn more about the cognitive functioning of aADHD. Although there is greater emphasis on aADHD as it may be included in the new diagnostic systems, a clear clinical picture still eludes us. Participants were recruited from different sources, by means of purposive sampling. As a general rule all potential participants with a history of a head injury or any other neurological disorders were excluded. Due to the fact that participants had to comply with strict including criteria, certain screening tests were used. The group were screened by the research team by means of clinical interviews as well as the ASRS and the MCMI. In order to control for the type of substances as well as their history of substance abuse the Mini Plus Questionnaire was used. Furthermore the psychosis group only consisted of individuals with positive Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders. The research instrument that was used was the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), of which a number of subtests of the CANTAB were used to assess the cognitive ability of the groups. The included subtests were the Motor Control Task, the Rapid Visual Information Processing, the Spatial Working Memory and finally the Stop Signal Test.The CANTAB revealed similar impairments the aADHD, SUD and psychotic groups, specifically relating to impairments in attention, memory and impulsivity, however the main difference that has been displayed in this research is the degree of impairment in cognitive functioning, the psychotic group functioned the poorest compared to the ADHD group, showing that the psychotic group may have a greater level of dysfunction in executive functioning, attention and memory. In conclusion the results indicated that the aADHD group had a lower level of cognitive functioning when compared to both the non-clinical and SUD groups, but higher than the psychotic group.

Background: The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at a prevalence rate of 5-8% has clear public health and service implications. Studies suggest that certain populations, especially those with lower socio-economic status, are not adequately identified and treated. Evidence-based guidelines aim to standardize practice, but implementing them in low-resource environments can be challenging. To assess compliance, clinical audits for ADHD management have been conducted in higher income countries, but, to our knowledge, there have been no such audits in sub-Saharan Africa. Here we performed a clinical audit of ADHD assessment and treatment and compared compliance between two clinic groups in Cape Town, South Africa. Objectives: The primary aim was to measure compliance in a South African context using the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for ADHD as the gold standard. The secondary aim was to compare compliance and socio-demographics between a 'central’ group (attending a treatment site in an area associated with high socio-economic status) and a 'peripheral’ group (attending in areas associated with low socio-economic status) in Cape Town. Methods: A clinical audit was conducted (March-June 2013) on the case notes for 100 'active’ cases of children or adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. The 'central’ group consisted of patients attending the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital Neuropsychiatry Clinic. The 'peripheral’ group included cases from community clinics in Retreat, Vanguard, Heideveld, and Kensington. Fifty cases were randomly selected from each group. Data were captured using an audit template derived from NICE guidelines, and a socio-demographic template. Results: Overall, of the 17 audit standards tested none showed 100% compliance. Compliance with four standards was rated 'good’ (>80%): qualified diagnostician (86%), clinician contact with teacher (96%), side effect monitoring (84%), and offering Methylphenidate as first line treatment (80%). Compliance with five standards was 'fair’ (50- 79%): DSM-IV criteria documentation (60%), treatment plan including behavioral or psychological interventions (71%), attempted communication in the patient’s primary language (69%), documentation of the child’s perspective (76%), and monitoring treatment response on standard scales (71%). Compliance with eight standards was 'poor’ (< 0.0001); and treatment response monitoring using standard scales (80% vs. 62%, p = 0.047). Conclusions: Overall, compliance with NICE guidelines for ADHD was low. The central group performed better than the peripheral group in key areas, offering a greater array of treatment options and safer monitoring. We recommend the introduction of structured protocols with re-audit as a tool to improve the quality of service delivery and present an audit checklist to be used in future audit cycles.

A mini-dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Educational Psychology in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University of Zululand, 2017 / There was a limited amount of research that looked at the experiences of educators teaching learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Many learners enter schools without a diagnosis of ADHD only to find that they present with the symptoms of ADHD. So, it is important for educators to know these symptoms and what to do with such learners in a classroom. The Department of Basic Education can better understand how to assist educators in order for them to teach ADHD learners effectively. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of educators teaching learners with ADHD. This study had the following objectives: The first objective was to explore the experiences of educators who teach learners with ADHD. The second objective was to determine whether or not there is adequate training provided for educators to teach learners with ADHD. The third objective was to establish if there are intervention strategies teachers use to teach ADHD learners. The participants in this study were ten (10) educators from three (3) different schools in uMtunzini Circuit, KwaZulu Natal. Themes from the interview were analysed using Thematic Analysis method. The views expressed by educators in most instances were in line with those of the research authors identified in this study. The conclusions amongst others were that educators are experiencing difficulties teaching learners with ADHD. They are challenged in terms of managing ADHD learners in classrooms. It is clear that educators require training to equip themselves with knowledge and skills on ADHD.