Abstract:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. The prevalence ranges between 3% - 5% among school-aged children worldwide. ADHD symptoms are related to poor learning outcomes, low executive functioning, parental stress and conflicting social relationships.

Thanks to the diffusion of mobile technologies, specific software for ADHD has been developed: they offer e-Health platforms functional to the management of children's behavior, to the enhancement of cognitive processes and executive functions. Software can record more accurate, direct and reliable data: in this way it is also possible to create a network of caregivers, useful for planning and scheduling interventions.

The present review aims to highlight scientific studies on Apps and software developed for children with ADHD and to examine their validity and impact in supporting the management of related learning difficulties. Apps have been mainly selected from Google Play and Apple Store, additional software have been selected from online magazines devoted to ADHD. Applications and software supported by scientific studies were then identified through scientific databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, APA PsycNET.

The review reveals:
1) a critical lack of scientific support for apps: only one application is accompanied by a single case study; and
2) a relatively low use of intelligent tutoring: few software sustain a self-paced learning activity.

Finally, we conclude that the software developed so far for treating learning difficulties in individuals with ADHD are promising, however there's a lack of scientific aspects that we deem crucial when an application is intended to improve a specific cognitive process.

Keywords:

ADHD, software, app, executive functions, intelligent tutoring.