Neurodiversity-affirming SEA for ADHD: evaluation of an online program for parents and children in the ultra-orthodox Jewish community

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of affirmative interventions for neurodiverse individuals. However, empirical evidence regarding such interventions in ADHD remains limited, particularly within conservative-religious cultures. The present study examined the effectiveness of a culturally sensitive, online psychosocial intervention for parents and children. The intervention is grounded in a salutogenic existential approach (SEA), an integrative framework that conceptualizes ADHD as a tension between a tendency toward freedom and reality demands (necessity), and aims to enhance sense of coherence (SOC), autonomous motivation, and support for neurodivergent identity while integrating the medical model with the neurodiversity framework. The study included 427 participants from the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish (UOJ) community in Israel: 311 in the intervention group and 116 in the control group. The intervention group participated in a 12-session online program that combined weekly lectures and practice for parents, along with audio story episodes and a workbook for children. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention or waiting period using parent-report questionnaires: ADHD symptoms and comorbid difficulties (VADPRS), child functioning (WFIRS-P), and parental self-efficacy (TOPSE). The intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in ADHD symptoms, behavioral problems, and anxiety/depression, as well as significant improvements in child functioning and parental self-efficacy. In the control group, only a minimal reduction in ADHD symptoms was observed, with no changes in the other domains. Between-group differences remained significant after controlling for background variables. The findings indicate the potential of an SEA-based intervention to improve parent and child functioning among individuals with ADHD symptoms in the UOJ community, and highlight the contribution of SEA as an integrative model for addressing ADHD.