Janice A. Grskovic

Learning and Motivational Characteristics of Boys with AD/HD and/or Giftedness:

This study compared the academic and learning characteristics of students with (a) Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), (b) giftedness, and (c) giftedness with AD/HD, and examines specific a priori questions. The information reported by teachers, parents, and children was analyzed with a multiple-case design with constant comparative procedures within and across groups. The results indicated that giftedness conferred benefits related to specific talents but did not offer protection from the negative outcomes of AD/HD, such as inattention and homework problems. The learning and motivational profiles of each group were discussed in terms of implications for differential diagnosis and research and for teaching children with AD/HD and giftedness in general and special settings.

Emotional and Social Characteristics of Boys with AD/HD and Giftedness: A Comparative Case Study.

The purpose of this multiple case study was to investigate the emotional and social characteristics of boys who had co-occurring giftedness and AD/HD as compared with boys with only 1 of the 2 exceptionalities. The participants were 3 boys with AD/HD and giftedness and 6 comparison boys with only 1 of the 2 exceptionalities. Data sources included the participating boys, their parents, and their teachers. Data were collected by a team of researchers using parallel forms of a semistructured interview protocol and several rating scales and were analyzed by the team in 4 stages using a variety of qualitative analysis techniques. Findings suggested that participants with co-occurring giftedness and AD/HD had difficulties regulating their emotions, problems with peer relationships, and stressed families. Giftedness appeared to exacerbate the social/emotional difficulties associated with AD/HD rather than serve a protective function. The findings suggested that AD/HD is a risk factor for psychosocial adjustment difficulties in young boys who are intellectually gifted. Implications of the findings for the field of gifted education are discussed.

The Effects of Antecedent Color on Reading for Students with Learning Disabilities and Co-Occurring Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The effects of color on the reading recognition and comprehension of 3 students with learning disabilities and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder were assessed in a single-subject design. Color did not enhance sight-word learning; for longer reading comprehension tasks, color had an immediate effect across and within sessions.

Short-Term Filial Therapy With German Mothers: Findings From a Controlled Study

Filial therapy has been shown to be an effective tool in improving parent– child relationships. This study represents a starting point for investigating the effectiveness of filial therapy with German mothers and their children. A brief form of the VanFleet filial training approach was used with a group of 15 mothers attending a health retreat for 2 weeks. Dependent variables included a measure of parenting styles, behavior ratings of children, and child–mother play interaction measures. Results showed an increase in acceptance, empathy, positive attention, and educational competence for mothers who received filial therapy and a decrease in ratings of their children’s behavior difficulties. Control group members did not show similar gains.

Reducing Time-Out Assignments for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders in a Self-Contained Classroom

This study assessed the impact of a class-wide time-out/re-directing strategy on (a) the frequency of teacher-assigned time-outs and (b) the time students spent in disciplinary sanctions. Twelve students with emotional/behavioral disorders, enrolled in a self-contained elementary classroom were taught an alternative time-out strategy (Active Response Beads-Time Out), while teachers were taught a re-directing strategy, in an attempt to decrease the amount of students time spent in time-out (TO) and the number of TO assigned by staff. Using a multiple baseline design across academic classroom periods, results showed that Active Response Beads Time-Out (ARB-TO) and teacher re-directions decreased the total time spent in time-out and number of TO assigned across the three class periods. Results maintained at one, two and four week follow-up sessions.

The Effects of Highlighting on the Math Computation Performance and Off-task Behavior of Students with Attention Problems

This study evaluated the effects of color highlighting during a math computation task on performance accuracy and behavior of students with attention problems. Using a multiple baseline across participants design, three students solved math computation problems on worksheets with and without highlighting. Off-task behavior recorded from videotape and number of problems correct were measured. Results suggest highlighting increased math computation accuracy and reduced off-task behavior for students with attention problems.

Reducing the effects of auditory and visual distraction on the math performances of students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Two exploratory studies assessed the effects of an intervention on the math problem solving of students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In the first study, students were assessed on a visual task in a high stimulation classroom analog setting with and without the use of a fine motor activity. Results showed that the fine motor activity was associated with more math problems correct. In the second study, students were presented with a visual task with and without auditory distraction. Results showed that the auditory distraction impeded performance but that the fine motor activity mitigated the effects of the distraction. Although the results of these studies are modest, they suggest that fine motor activity may affect the performances of students with ADHD and future research is needed.