Parental Occupational Executive Training – (POET) Improving Daily Functioning by Handling Deficient Executive Functions

Background: Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) cope with numerus daily functional difficulties. About 50% of them may also have Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) that summon challenges in their motor functioning. In recent years an increasing number of researchers consider Executive Functions (EFs) as a major mechanism causing ADHD symptoms. EFs include a range of abilities that enable children to have self-control over their behavior, speech, functioning and movement. The Parental Occupational Executive Training (POET) is a new intervention model that was developed in order to improve daily functioning of young children with ADHD while teaching their parents how to cope with children`s deficient EFs.

Aim: To present the POET model and its efficacy.

Methods: This study was a comparative, quasi-experimental, crossover and mixed method design. Participants included 72 children aged 3.83–7.08 years (mean age was 5.42, SD =.86) with ADHD symptoms (55 boys), randomized to a study and control group. Parents participated in eight 45-minute weekly individual training sessions, and completed questionnaires to evaluate the intervention efficacy. One of 17 trained occupational therapists evaluated each child, defined two-five personal intervention goals with the parents and implemented the standardized intervention.

Results: There was a significant short-term improvement in children`s ADHD symptoms, EFs, goal performance, and management of daily routines. Parents` satisfaction with their child`s functioning and perception of their knowledge about EF and skills to support their child`s functioning significantly increased. The intervention process will be demonstrated by a case study of a child with symptoms of ADHD and DCD.

Discussion: Study results indicate that the POET is an effective approach to improve children`s and their parents` measures with a focus on providing knowledge and skills to the parents being the central contributing mechanism.