Fidgets and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Middle School Special Education Teacher Perceptions

Presenter(s): Sarah Mugavero, OTD, OTR/L

Contributing Author(s): Alysha Skuthan, PhD, OTR/L; Katrina Christopher, OTD, OTR/L

Content Areas: Pediatrics; General

Target Audience: Student, Entry-level, Intermediate-level, Advanced-level

Course Description: This poster session is about a qualitative study that explores the lack of understanding of teacher perceptions on classroom utilization of fidgets with students who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Eight special education middle school teachers from a midsized suburban public school district in Illinois were interviewed. Three themes were identified from these interviews: Misapplication of Fidgets, Support to Implement Fidgets Within the Classroom, and When Fidgets Work.