OBJECTIVE. The pragmatic language outcomes of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were explored across two feasibility studies.

METHOD. Five children with ADHD (ages 6–11 yr), their parents, and 5 typically developing peers completed an assessment 18 mo after a therapist-delivered intervention (Study 1). Participants then completed a parent-delivered intervention (Study 2). Blinded ratings of peer-to-peer play interactions documented changes in children’s pragmatic language 18 mo after the Study 1 intervention and before, immediately after, and 1 mo after the Study 2 intervention. Nonparametric statistics and Cohen’s d were used to measure change.

RESULTS. Children’s pragmatic language outcomes were maintained 18 mo after the therapist-delivered intervention and significantly improved from before to 1 mo after the parent-delivered intervention.

CONCLUSION. Interventions involving occupational therapist and speech–language pathologist collaboration, play, and parent and peer involvement may facilitate children’s pragmatic language skills.

AOTA Taxonomy:
Pediatrics
Keywords:
adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, child, pragmatics, follow-up
Copyright © 2017 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
2017
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