Occupational therapy for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A literature review

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) remains one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, with prevalence reaching 5%-9% in school age children and 60%-63% of the disorder will persist to adolescent and adult. Symptoms of attention deficit, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the hallmark of this disorder. In adult, ADHD causes social interaction dysfunction, academic problem, problem in maintaining work, problem in finishing task, problem in maintaining relationship, and poor impulse control so they are prone to anti-social behavior and drug or alcohol abuse. Comprehensive management of ADHD in childhood is urgently needed. The effectiveness of pharmacotherapy, as the standard therapy for ADHD beside behavioral therapy and psychoeducation, is hindered its side effects. One of the proposed supporting therapies for children with ADHD is occupational therapy, a field which focuses in optimization of health and human potential through the use of occupation or activity. Some of the therapeutic methods in this field include sensory integration therapy, rhythmic therapy, occupational group therapy, cognitive-functional intervention and physical activity. Each of the methods are supported by sound theoretical basis, therefore consideration has to be made as a part of standard ADHD management.