Central Executive Training for ADHD

The goal of the core study is to develop a central executive training (CET) intervention for
children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and examine its feasibility,
acceptability, engagement, and usability. This will involve early developmental work on
software and treatment manuals followed by evaluation of the feasibility of enrolling,
retaining, and treating ADHD children with CET. An evidence-informed intervention targeting
central executive functioning in children with ADHD has the potential to result in clinically
significant improvements in ADHD symptoms relative to extant behavioral treatments and
capacity-based (short-term memory) training interventions. The long-term goal is to develop
an efficacious and acceptable CET intervention with the potential for generalized
improvements in, or normalization of, ADHD-related impairments in peer, family, and academic
functioning.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Children ages 8-12 with principal ADHD diagnoses (via K-SADS)

- parent Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) Attention Problems or
Hyperactivity subscale or ADHD-5 in clinical/borderline range based on age and gender

- teacher BASC Attention Problems or Hyperactivity subscale or ADHD-5 scale in
clinical/borderline range based on age and gender.

Exclusion Criteria:

- gross neurological, sensory, or motor impairment, history of a seizure disorder, or
psychosis, bipolar disorders, substance use, or intellectual disability disorders

- non-English speaking child or parent