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Efficacy of the First Step to Success Intervention for Students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

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Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of the First Step to Success early intervention for students meeting criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). First Step is a targeted intervention for students in grades K-3 with externalizing behavior problems, and addresses secondary prevention goals and objectives. As part of a larger randomized controlled trial conducted within the Albuquerque Public School system, the efficacy of the First Step program was evaluated on a subsample of 42 students meeting DSM-IV criteria for ADHD who were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or a usual care control group. The First Step program was found to have significant and moderate-to-large post-intervention effects on school-based measures of ADHD and disruptive behavior symptoms, social functioning, and academic functioning. The intervention effects on the home-based assessments of problem behaviors and social skills were less robust and nonsignificant. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oregon Research Institute, 1715 Franklin Blvd, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA

    John R. Seeley, Jason W. Small, Hill M. Walker, Edward G. Feil, Herbert H. Severson & Annemieke M. Golly

  2. University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Steven R. Forness

Authors
  1. John R. Seeley
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  2. Jason W. Small
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  3. Hill M. Walker
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  4. Edward G. Feil
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  5. Herbert H. Severson
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  6. Annemieke M. Golly
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  7. Steven R. Forness
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Correspondence to John R. Seeley.

Additional information

This research was conducted under the auspices of a 4-year Behavior Research Center grant to Hill M. Walker from the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education: Grant No. H324P040006, Evidence-based Interventions for Severe Behavior Problems. The contents of this manuscript do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education and do not imply endorsement by the Federal Government.

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Seeley, J.R., Small, J.W., Walker, H.M. et al. Efficacy of the First Step to Success Intervention for Students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. School Mental Health 1, 37–48 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-008-9003-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-008-9003-4

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