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Materials Organization, Planning, and Homework Completion in Middle-School Students with ADHD: Impact on Academic Performance

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Abstract

This study evaluated the homework functioning of middle-school students with ADHD to determine what aspects are most predictive of school grades and the best source (e.g., parents or teachers) for obtaining this information. Students with ADHD in grades 5–8 (N = 57) and their parents and teachers completed the Children’s Organization Skills Scales (COSS) to measure materials organization, planning, and time management, and parents completed the Homework Problems Checklist (HPC) to examine homework completion and homework materials management behaviors. Regression analyses revealed that parent-rated homework materials management and teacher-rated memory and materials management were the best predictors of school grades. These findings suggest that organization of materials is a critical component of the homework completion process for students with ADHD and an important target for intervention. Teachers were the best source of information regarding materials organization and planning, whereas parents were a valuable source of information for specific homework materials management problems.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this study was provided by Institute of Education Sciences (IES) R305A090305.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, USA

    Joshua M. Langberg, Jeffery N. Epstein, Erin Girio-Herrera, Aaron J. Vaughn & Mekibib Altaye

  2. Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA

    Stephen P. Becker

  3. Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 10006, Cincinnati, OH, 45229-3039, USA

    Joshua M. Langberg

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  1. Joshua M. Langberg
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  2. Jeffery N. Epstein
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  5. Aaron J. Vaughn
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  6. Mekibib Altaye
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Correspondence to Joshua M. Langberg.

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Langberg, J.M., Epstein, J.N., Girio-Herrera, E. et al. Materials Organization, Planning, and Homework Completion in Middle-School Students with ADHD: Impact on Academic Performance. School Mental Health 3, 93–101 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-011-9052-y

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