TARLAN: a Simulation Game to Improve Social Problem-Solving Skills of ADHD Children

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder which can impact different aspects of sufferers’ lives, including their social skills. We present TARLAN, a game that teaches social problem-solving skills to ADHD children. TARLAN is a simulation game with 40 scenarios based on children’s everyday experiences. We conducted a study to investigate how the social problem-solving skills of ADHD children are affected by interactions with TARLAN. Forty children with ADHD aged 8-12 were randomly allocated to two conditions: a computer-based intervention wherein children worked with TARLAN, and the control group with the standard psychological intervention. Another group of 20 children without ADHD but with inadequate social skills also worked with TARLAN. Results show that TARLAN significantly improved social problem-solving skill of the ADHD children compared to their peers who were in the psychological intervention. The game is also beneficial for chil-dren who have social skills deficit but who are not diagnosed with ADHD.

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