informa
Handwriting Performance of Children with
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorders:
A Pilot Study
Sara Rosenblum, PhD
Liora Epszlein, MD
Naomi Josman, PhD
ABSTRACT. Objective. The aim of this study wa.s to compare the
handwriting characteristics of children diagno.sed with attention deficit
hyperactive disorder (ADHD), while on and off medication, as well as
with a control group. Metluhis. Twelve children with ADHD and 12
control children, aged 8-10, performed a paragraph-copying task us-
ing a computerized system. The children with ADHD performed the
task both while on and off medication. The handwriting product of
both groups was then evaluated with the Hebrew Handwriting Evalua-
tion tool. Conclusion. Results provide evidence for poorer performance
of children with ADHD in comparison to children without ADHD on
most handwriting process and product measures. Children with ADHD
demonstrated significantly more total time including in-air time spent
in handwriting performance when off medication. The possible impli-
cations of these results regarding lhe future use of handwriting process
Sara Rosenblum, PhD. is a lecturer. Department of Occupational Therapy, a joint
program of the Faculty of Scxrial Welfare & Health Sciences, University of Haifa, and
theTechnion. Haifa, Israel. Liora Epsztein, MD. is a pediatrician p.sychiatrÍst,Sherutey
Brlui Chiht. Miydal Haemek. Israel. Naomi Josman, PhD. is an Associate Professor,
Department of Occupaiional Iherapy. a joint program of the I'aculty of Social Welfare
&. Health Sciences. University of Haifa, and the Technion, Haifa, Israel.
Address correspondence to: Dr. Sara Rosenhlum, Department of Occupa-
tional Therapy, University of Haifa. Mount Camiel, Haifa 31905, Israel (e-mail:
rosens@research.haifa.ac.il).
Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, Vol. 28(3), 2(X)8
Available online at htlp://potp.haworthpress.com
© 2(X)8 by Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. All rights reserved.
doi: 10.1080/01942630802224934 2Í9