ADHD & Organization
Visual Abstract
Remediating organizational functioning in children with ADHD: immediate and long-term effects from a randomized controlled trial
Helping Kids with ADHD Get Organized: A Study
Abikoff H, Gallagher R, Wells KC, Murray DW, Huang L, Lu F, Petkova E
Summarized by:
Charles Li, MD
December 22, 2023
study source
J Consult Clin Psychol
2013 Feb
Helping Kids with ADHD Get Organized: A Study
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What they studied
The study examined two interventions to help 3rd- to 5th-graders with ADHD improve organization and time management skills.
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What they found
One intervention improved organization and academic skills more than the other and more than no treatment at all.
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Why it matters
Specific treatments can significantly help children with ADHD in organizing, managing time, and improving in school.
Objectives
The study aimed to find out which of two programs is better at helping 3rd to 5th graders with ADHD get better at organizing, managing time, and planning. One program focused on teaching the kids how to sort their school materials and plan their time, while the other program helped them set and meet their own goals.
Study Quote
The study compared the efficacy of 2 behavioral interventions to ameliorate organization, time management, and planning (OTMP) difficulties in 3rd- to 5th-grade children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Methods
In this study, 158 kids with ADHD were put into three groups. One group of 64 kids did Organizational Skills Training (OST), another group of 61 kids did PATHKO (a program that didn't include skills training but focused on setting goals), and the last group of 33 kids just waited (they didn't do any program).
The kids in the OST and PATHKO groups went to special sessions for 10-12 weeks. In OST, kids learned practical skills like using binders and checklists, while PATHKO focused on rewarding kids for reaching their goals.
Study Quote
In a dual-site randomized controlled trial, 158 children were assigned to organizational skills training (OST; N = 64); PATHKO, a performance-based intervention that precluded skills training (N = 61); or a wait-list control (WL, N = 33). Treatments were 20 individual clinic-based sessio...
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Results
After the programs, 60% of the kids in both OST and PATHKO improved so much they didn't need organization therapy anymore. This was a big difference compared to only 3% in the group that waited.
60% of OST and PATHKO participants versus 3% of controls had improved enough to no loger need organization therapy.
The kids in OST did better than those in PATHKO in terms of organizing according to their parents, but both groups were much better at organization and academics than the wait-listed kids.
Study Quote
OST was superior to WL on the COSS-P (Cohen's d = 2.77; p < .0001), COSS-T (d = 1.18; p < .0001), children's COSS self-ratings, academic performance and proficiency, homework, and family functioning. OST was significantly better than PATHKO only on the COSS-P (d = 0.63; p < .005). PATHKO...
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Conclusions
Both OST and PATHKO programs helped children with ADHD to improve their organization and school performance. These findings show that different ways of helping can work well for children who struggle with organizing because of ADHD.
Study Quote
Two distinct treatments targeting OTMP problems in children with ADHD generated robust, sustained functional improvements. The interventions show promise of clinical utility in children with ADHD and organizational deficits.
Key Takeaways
Promising Treatments
These interventions offer promising methods to address organizational challenges in children with ADHD.
Long-term Benefits
Both tested interventions showed lasting improvements in organizational skills and overall functioning.
Effective Organizational Training
The organizational skills training was particularly effective in enhancing organizational abilities and academic performance in children with ADHD.
Context
This study is part of a bigger picture of research on ADHD and school. For example, Roth et al. in 2004 found that ADHD can make it hard for people to remember words and work with information in their minds, and sometimes this is because of anxiety.
Also, a study by Abikoff and others in 2009 showed that Ritalin can help kids with ADHD get better at organizing, but some kids still need extra help. These studies show that ADHD affects learning and organizing, but with the right help or medicine, kids with ADHD can do better.