ADHD and problem-solving in play

Abstract

This paper reports a small-scale study to determine whether there is a difference in problem-solving abilities, from a play perspective, between individuals who are diagnosed as ADHD and are on medication and those not on medication. Ten children, five of whom where on medication and five not, diagnosed as ADHD predominantly inattentive type, were observed in school playgrounds in Malta during recess to verify any differences in the ways real-life problem-solving situations are tackled. Results indicated that children on medication tend to avoid group situations and discussion more often than their non-medicated peers. Additionally, non-medicated individuals tend to jump more quickly from one emotional state to the other and resort to physical aggression more often compared with medicated individuals. Such findings suggest that medication has a negative effect on social interaction processes, while it helps to maintain self-control, at least from a physical stand point.

Keywords:

• ADHD
• medication
• play
• problem-solving
• social interaction