Improving homework performance among children with ADHD: A randomized clinical trial.

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Educational Psychology

Background:

• Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often face significant academic challenges, particularly with homework completion.
• Homework difficulties in ADHD are linked to long-term underachievement and academic impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of behavioral interventions, psychostimulant medication, and combined treatments on homework problems in children with ADHD.
• To determine the effectiveness of these treatments in improving homework completion and accuracy.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 75 children (ages 5-12) diagnosed with ADHD.
• Participants were assigned to either a behavioral treatment group (parent training + daily report card) or a waitlist control.
• Objective homework measures and parent-reported behaviors were assessed, alongside a concurrent psychostimulant crossover trial.

Main Results:

• Behavioral treatment (BPT + DRC) demonstrated large, significant effects on homework completion and accuracy (Cohen's ds = 1.40-2.21).
• Psychostimulant medication and combined treatment approaches did not yield statistically significant improvements in homework outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Behavioral interventions targeting homework problems provide substantial benefits for children with ADHD.
• Stimulant medication alone had minimal and non-significant acute effects on homework performance, highlighting the efficacy of behavioral strategies.