This case study, using illustration books, develops a sensibility training program to enhance emotional intelligence of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as reduce their problematic behaviors. As a theoretical frame...
This case study, using illustration books, develops a sensibility training program to enhance emotional intelligence of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as reduce their problematic behaviors. As a theoretical framework, the study conceptualizes children with ADHD and discusses theories of emotional intelligence. Of the intelligence educational programs, mainly dealt with are the group game play program and educational effects of illustration books on the children concerned.
With this theoretical background, the following preliminary studies have been led to come up with the target program: (1) a sensibility training program to educate handicapped children, and (2) programs incorporating illustration books and researches on sensibility trainings. Utilizing the above-mentioned programs, the researcher has developed a sensibility training program, thus carrying it out to six children aging 4-6 in a joint educational class at a day care facility in Ansan, Korea. The program, conducted a total of 25 times for a ten-week period from January to April, 2007, was administered for 40 minutes (4:30-5:10 p.m.) two to three times biweekly. For a reliable outcome, the following measurement tools have been employed:
First, assessment of social maturity. This testing tool, with 117 measurement items categorized into 6 sections, measures children’s social competence, or adaptive behavior, and in particular it is composed of such variables as SH (Self-help), L (Locomotion), O (Occupation), C (Communication), and S (Socialization).
Second, ACTeRS for ADHD teachers. This tool, developed by Rinak, Esther, and Robert at University of Illinois, has 24 testing items measuring children’s behavioral variations possibly appearing in class. This five point scale tool assesses children’s attention, hyperactivity, social skills, and deviant behaviors.
Third, direct observation. As part of the field research, the researcher keenly observed an infant’s class for 14 weeks (October 1, 2006-January 30, 2007), thereafter observing a non-participatory infant involved in a 10 week sensibility training program, February 5, 2007-April 20, 2007.
Fourth, measurement of sensibility intelligence. By tailoring "Effects of the sensibility training program on the learning behavior of low achieving children" (Imjeong Joo, 1998), an EQ testing sheet, using Daniel Goldman’s definitions and that developed by Yong rin Moon et al. of Seoul National University, is used to measure slow learning kids.
As a result of the program, the entire sections including the five low level variables have demonstrated a significant improvement in all those three children measured of their emotional intelligence. In particular, the ability in self-control and self-synchronization has shown a greater improvement than the other areas, with the highest gain score in self-control. Besides, the program has resulted in the reduction of problematic behaviors, the enhancement of social competence, and the improvement of learning behaviors.
Considering all these results, this study has come to a conclusion that the sensibility training program using illustration books is conducive to the development of emotional intelligence, thereby reducing inappropriate behaviors of the children concerned. This proposed program in addition may be meaningful in providing social workers with a practical approach to deal with the children in the facilities.