The effectiveness of a training program to improve specific cognitive processes in children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which has been described with different names in the history, is one of the most common disorders in childhood. Attention deficit and hyperactivity is related to problems about attention, concentration, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. In this study, an education program was prepared to increase attention and memory performance of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The main purpose of the study is to increase the attention, short-term memory and associative memory performance of children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder through the applied education program. Twenty-four students previously diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder between the ages of 7 to 11 who referred to a private clinic were included to the study. Pre-test/post-test experimental analysis was used in the study. Participants were divided into attention, short-term memory and associative memory groups after the first measure and given education for 3 weeks to each group. Post-test was applied at the end of 3 weeks. For the second part of the study, participants were included in different groups and post-test was taken athe end of 3 weeks education. According to the results of the study, it was observed that attention, short-term memory and associative memory education did not cause any significant difference in terms of overall performance. In addition, it was found that the averages tend to be higher in the attention performance of the attention education group, in the short-term memory performance of the group of short-term memory education, and in the associative memory performance of the group of associative memory education. Attention, short-term memory and associative memory educaiton did not seem to have a positive effect on overall performance. In addition, averages tend to be higher in the attention performance of the attention education group, in the short-term memory performance of the group of short-term memory education, and in the associative memory performance of the group of associative memory education. When compared with the literature, it is noted that this study has different results as well as similar results.. Keywords: Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention, Short Term Memory, Associative Memory