The Potential of Digital Screening Tools for Childhood ADHD in School Environments: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent developmental disorder in children. However, accurately identifying ADHD in early childhood remains a crucial challenge. Electronic health (e-health) systems offer promising possibilities to enhance the diagnostic process for ADHD, particularly concerning the executive functions (EFs) that play a direct role. This study aims to validate an evidence-based tool for screening ADHD through EFs in the school environment. The tool, named Sendero Gris, is designed for tablet devices and is based on a previously validated test with the same name. To ensure its validity, a comparison was made between the results obtained from the tool to be validated and the original format of the test. The analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the two approaches at a 90% confidence level (p-value = 0.49). Moreover, a user experience study focusing on usability was conducted to assess the children’s inclination to use the developed tool, yielding highly positive results. The implementation of Sendero Gris on a tablet device, with its objective and versatile nature, seems to maintain the potential of the original format as a screening tool for ADHD.