Experiences of employed women with attention deficit hyperactive disorder: A phenomenological study.

BACKGROUND: Employees with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face various risks in the workplace. Little is known of the specific challenges women with ADHD experience. OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of working women with ADHD and learn the strategies and accommodations that facilitate their maintaining employment. METHOD: Qualitative phenomenological approach was used to echo women's subjective perceptions and experiences representing their daily interactions in their workplace. In-depth interviews were conducted with eleven tertiary-educated employed women (M = 33.5; SD = 6.61 years), diagnosed with ADHD and the transcripts were analyzed by three researchers, using the qualitative phenomenological approach. RESULTS: Most interviewed women with ADHD described interactions with their workplace as confusing, overwhelming, and chaotic. They perceived their ADHD as a significant obstacle to success in employment that also conferred some advantages. Three interview themes are explored here (1) challenges in coping with job demands and the workplace, including the disclosure dilemma; (2) personal coping strategies; (3) useful accommodations. CONCLUSIONS: For the women interviewed, employment was important for their self-identity, beyond simply making a living. Their experiences indicate impaired executive functioning and inhibition and sensory sensitivity, consistently with theoretical models for ADHD. They identified gender-specific issues, such as using medication during pregnancy, which led them to seek for non-pharmacological coping mechanisms. They contributed practical knowledge regarding employee-led adaptations and employer-provided workplace accommodations.

Participation in leisure activities: differences between children with and without physical disabilities.

The aim of the current study was to compare varied dimensions of participation in leisure activities among school-aged children ages 10-16 with and without disabilities. The Children Leisure Activity Scale (CLASS) was administrated to 294 children, 81 with and 213 without physical disability. Two-way MANCOVA revealed significant differences between the frequency of participation in leisure activities of the study groups: an effect of disability F(4,265=239.57; p<0.001, η(2)=0.78); an effect of gender F(4,265=3.35; p<0.01, η(2)=0.05); and an interaction effect between gender and disability F(4,265=5.23; p<0.001, η(2)=0.64). Children with disabilities, and mostly girls, were found at risk to participate in a narrower variety of activities that involved fewer social interactions. Using linear regressions for each group two different models were identified. Using the CLASS the study contributes evidence-based data regarding children at risk for leisure participation. In addition, the research further established the discriminate validity of the CLASS.

Are young adults with special needs ready for the physical work demands?

Youth and Adolescents with Special Needs (YASN) face many challenges during transition into employment. Although most of their physical challenges are secondary, yet they call for attention since most of them are hired for blue collar jobs. Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) should be adapted to prepare them addressing the physical job-demands, and maintain their jobs effectively and safely. The current pilot study aims to demonstrate the use of standard (FCE) in order to assess performance of basic generic physical activities conducted by YASN, as part of transition to work program. Specifically, it compared subtests of the Physical Work Performance Evaluation of YASN (N = 13) with matched control group (YA) (N = 13). Results revealed slower and reduced performance among YASNs than YA, in basic job demands, like dynamic strength, hand strength, and fine motor skills. Implications and recommendations for research and transition to work practice in the educational setting are discussed.

The effect of typing frequency and speed on the incidence of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder.

Typing in the work setting, with its emphasis on speed, force and repetitive movements and its tendency to be performed under less than optimum conditions has been one of the major causes of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder (CTD). This disorder, also known as overuse syndrome, is a chronic condition believed to result from habitual overuse of the digits, hands or arms. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between typing habits, specifically the influence of typing frequency, speed and style, on the incidence of injury. One hundred Israeli female typists aged between 20 and 60 years with no prior history of orthopedic or neurological disease participated in the study. Data collection took place at the work setting and consisted of a clinical evaluation of the upper extremities and trunk, a typing test, and a questionnaire which included questions concerning demographic information, occupational history, and upper extremity usage in the home and at work. Subjects were asked whether they had suffered from pain or other symptoms in the upper extremity (shoulder, arm, forearm, elbow or hand) on more than three occasions in the last year or on one occasion lasting more than a week. Subjects who answered no to this question were designated as 'non-sufferers'. Those who answered yes to the question were designated 'sufferers'. The 100 women who participated in the study represented a wide range of ages and educational levels. The variables describing on-the-job performance showed a wide range of values. Similar variability was found in the anthropometric variables. On the basis of the subjective criterion, 40 of the women belonged to the group labeled 'sufferers'. The remaining 60 subjects belonged to the group of 'non-sufferers'. The Odd's ratio test (OR), a common statistical procedure for risk factor estimation, was used to determine threshold levels associated with the development of CTD. Age, hours worked per week, typing speed, and years worked as a typist were variables in which at least one cut-off value generated a significant OR. The delineation of factors associated with typists who are classified as 'sufferers' establishes a portrait of the typical worker at risk for the development of CTD and provides insight into ways in which employers, clinicians and workers themselves could reduce the risk of CTD.

An Occupational Therapy Group Workshop for Patients with Osteoarthritis of HandsPreliminary Report.

Fourteen patients with osteoarthritis of the hand participated in an occupational therapy workshop group. Pre- and post-workshop grip strength and activities of daily living, with and without adaptive equipment were measured.