Design and Evaluation of a Wearable Assistive Technology for Children with ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders amongst children, is characterised by inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity. Attention deficits lead to difficulties in sustaining attention and being easily distracted, interfering with development and functioning in children with ADHD. Environmental variables, such as sounds, colour schemes and lighting, may affect the performance of such children. There is little research on the effect of these variables and on assistive technologies for these children. Study 1 explored the experiences and attitudes of mothers of children with ADHD towards behavioural, environmental and technological interventions to help their children. Key findings were listening to readings of the Quran was found to calm children and help them concentrate more, suggesting that sound has a beneficial effect; Mothers were willing to have their children use assistive technologies. Focusing on sound, Studies 2 and 3 investigated the effect of white and pink noise on children with ADHD. Both noise types improved attention. Therefore, the ADHD Headmuffs, which incorporate white noise, were developed and their effectiveness in improving attention and reducing visual and auditory distractors in children with ADHD was investigated in Study 4. The ADHD Headmuffs both with and without white noise resulted in positive effects on children, but with an added benefit for white noise. Study 5 investigated children’s satisfaction and acceptance of the ADHD Headmuffs. Children were satisfied and accepting of the Headmuffs but highlighted the need for customization. Study 6 evaluated the usability and acceptability of the ADHD Headmuffs with experts who reported that the Headmuffs are usable and acceptable and also highlighted further interesting issues. The key contribution of this thesis is an assistive technology, the ADHD Headmuffs, incorporating white or pink noise to improve attention and reduce visual and auditory distractors in children with ADHD.