INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO ADHD ASSESSMENT: UTILIZING VIRTUAL REALITY AND ELECTRONIC GAMES

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurological disorder among children and youths, characterized by symptoms of inattention and impulsivity. Despite its prevalence, a comprehensive understanding of the disorder's mechanisms is still lacking. Executive functions, which include abilities such as short-term memory, flexible thinking, and self-regulation, are impaired in individuals with ADHD. These functions are crucial for socio-emotional health and academic success. Self-regulation, a critical aspect affected by ADHD, is closely related to emotional intelligence, which influences various cognitive processes and self-control. Drigas and Papoutsi propose a structured model for evaluating and intervening in emotional intelligence, encompassing hierarchical levels that indicate individual development. Similarly, Drigas and Mitsea propose a multilevel metacognition model, highlighting attention as a core component of metacognitive skills. This model describes different levels of metacognitive development and can be utilized as a structured assessment tool for students at various educational levels.Traditional methods of assessing children with ADHD rely on subjective questionnaires completed by parents and specialists, which do not directly measure their performance in specific skills. In contrast, the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in educational programs has shown promise in addressing the socio-cognitive needs of students with special educational needs. Serious games and other technology-based assessment tools provide more objective measures and enhance children's motivation.In summary, this paper highlights the complexity of ADHD and its impact on executive functions, self-regulation, emotional intelligence, and metacognitive skills. The proposed models for assessing emotional intelligence and metacognition offer structured approaches to evaluate and intervene in these areas. Furthermore, the use of ICTs in educational programs