Educational games for students with ADHD : A real-word validated taxonomy of what to prioritize when designing educational games for ADHD-afflicted students

• Main Author: Lutecki, Leo
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Högskolan i Skövde, Institutionen för informationsteknologi 2018
• Subjects: serious games; education; ADHD; Engineering and Technology; Teknik och teknologier
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:his:diva-15593

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 5-7% of the global population of children, and the prevalence in western countries is reported to be even higher. This makes it the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in children. Traits often associated with ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, all of which can impede a students’ education. There are instances where digital games have been used in the general education environment to increase focus and motivation in students, with positive results. Further examination of what problems are usually associated with an ADHD diagnosis can narrow the required design standards and allow for the development of Serious Games that specifically caters to the needs of children with ADHD. This paper aims to provide a glossary consisting of a rigid taxonomy of traits that are perceived as common in the ADHD diagnosis by multiple domains, to allow serious game developers a representative, short-hand introduction to the diagnosis. It will also include a tangible example of how the glossary can be used as a design basis in the development of a serious game aimed specifically at the education of ADHD- diagnosed students.