The Effectiveness of the Play Attention6 Program in Reducing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a Sample of Students with Special Needs

The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of the Play Attention6 program in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in specific groups of children with special needs. The study focused on assessing how well the program could improve attention and reduce hyperactivity symptoms in children who are often marginalized in educational settings due to their unique learning challenges. The sample consisted of 30 students, including ten children with learning disabilities, ten deaf children, and ten children with mild mental disabilities, all of whom were enrolled in primary school (grades one through six) in Al Arish, Egypt. The participants were carefully selected based on Al Hamidi's diagnostic list for distraction and hyperactivity, a tool used to identify children with characteristics of ADHD. The Play Attention6 program was implemented over a specific period, and its impact was measured by comparing students' performance before and after the intervention. The study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest and posttest evaluations. The results revealed statistically significant improvements in the attention and behavioral control of students across all three categories after the application of the program. Specifically, the posttest scores indicated a marked decrease in hyperactive behaviors and an increase in sustained attention. These findings suggest that the Play Attention6 program can be an effective intervention tool for managing ADHD-related symptoms in children with diverse special educational needs, highlighting its potential for broader application in inclusive educational environments.