Collaboration Between Occupational Therapy Practitioners and Elementary School Educators to Support Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Aims

This study compares experiences of occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) and other elementary school educators when supporting students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim is to establish collaborative methods for OTPs and other educators to support students with ADHD. Recommendations to overcome barriers to supporting students with ADHD are made based on study findings and current research.

Methods

An online survey of OTPs and other educators was conducted. The survey asked about the barriers to supporting elementary students with ADHD, and the training resources that would improve the ability to support students with ADHD.

Results

Responses from 147 OTPs and 35 other educators were compared using two-sample proportion tests. The groups shared common barriers and preferences for training resources, however, statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences were found in; 1) the barrier of limited knowledge and training about ADHD, with other educators being more limited by this barrier; and, 2) the preference for video formatted training, with other educators identifying a higher preference for this option.

Conclusions

The data suggest that there is an opportunity for OTPs and other educators to collaboratively develop ADHD training videos for all educators to foster the success of elementary students with ADHD.

Keywords:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• collaboration
• elementary education
• occupational therapy practitioners
• survey
• video formatted training

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Emily J. Scannell

Dr. Emily J. Scannell, OTD, OTR/L is a school-based occupational therapist for Marquette-Alger Regional Education Service Agency and a graduate of the post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) program at Boston University. She is a recipient of the Boston University Women’s Council Scholarship. She has taught school-based occupational therapy practice evaluation and intervention modules at the graduate level as a part-time instructor at Western Michigan University. She has achieved STAR Institute Proficiency Certification Level 1 and The Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism certification.

Thomas Scannell

Dr. Thomas Scannell is a Professor of Marketing at Western Michigan University. He earned his Ph.D. in Operations and Sourcing Management from Michigan State University, and his M.B.A. and B.S. Electrical Engineering from WMU. He is black belt certified in lean six sigma, and yellow belt certified in healthcare management lean six sigma. He teaches supply chain, operations management, purchasing, business ethics, sustainable operations, business strategy, quantitative analysis and quality management at the graduate and undergraduate levels. His publications have appeared in Decision Sciences Journal, Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Business Logistics, Sloan Management Review, Journal of Supply Chain Management, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Modern Management Science & Engineering, and The World Financial Review for example. He is coauthor of two books, “Managing Supply Chain Risk: Integrating with Risk Management” and “New Product Development: Strategies for Supplier Integration.” He is a co-founder of the Supply Chain Management Council of West Michigan. His industry experience includes electronics design engineer, systems engineer, program/project manager and new product development manager.

Karen Jacobs

Dr. Karen Jacobs, OT, EdD, OTR, CPE, FAOTA is a past president and vice president of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). She has received over 40 awards and honors, including a 2005 recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship in Iceland and the 2011 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award. She is the Associate Dean of Digital Learning and Innovation, the Program Director of the post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) program, and a clinical professor of occupational therapy at Boston University. In addition, she is a certified professional ergonomist (CPE).