Date of Defense
24-4-2025 10:00 AM
Location
H1, 0009
Document Type
Dissertation Defense
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education
College
College of Education
Department
Special and Gifted Education
First Advisor
Prof. Hala Elhoweris
Keywords
ADHD, UAE, Identification, Screening, Diagnosis, Rating Scale.
Abstract
This study aims to develop culturally sensitive rating scales for teachers and parents to identify students at risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the United Arab Emirates. An exploratory mixed-method research design was utilized for this study. The Eldeeb Teachers’ and Parents’ ADHD Rating Scale (ETPARS) was created to provide a reliable and valid culturally-based tool for identifying students at risk for ADHD. The scale comprises an item pool of 25 items that assess attention deficits and hyperactivity across three domains: inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and the effects of ADHD. The scale was administered to 465 children, which is essential as it enables psychologists, special education teachers, general education teachers, parents, and researchers to utilize a reliable psychometric tool for evaluating the attention and behavioral functioning of children aged 5 to 13. Additionally, the study's findings revealed that teachers and parents perceive ADHD as a disorder caused by medical, behavioral, or environmental factors, with combined ADHD being the most common type. Furthermore, the results indicated that the prevalence rate of ADHD is 6.7%, according to both teachers and parents. When considering severity, the prevalence of ADHD drops to 1.7%. Furthermore, the study's instrument, “ETPARS,” revealed that teachers and parents rated male students, students from the UAE, and those with ADHD higher than female students, expatriates, and students without ADHD. Lastly, discrepancies between parents' and teachers' ratings occur in the school cycle variable, where teachers rated cycle two higher than parents did. The study suggests implementing an awareness campaign on ADHD for parents, teachers, and the broader community.
Included in
DEVELOPMENT OF AN ADHD SCALE IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: AN EXPLORATORY MIXED-METHODS STUDY
H1, 0009
This study aims to develop culturally sensitive rating scales for teachers and parents to identify students at risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the United Arab Emirates. An exploratory mixed-method research design was utilized for this study. The Eldeeb Teachers’ and Parents’ ADHD Rating Scale (ETPARS) was created to provide a reliable and valid culturally-based tool for identifying students at risk for ADHD. The scale comprises an item pool of 25 items that assess attention deficits and hyperactivity across three domains: inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and the effects of ADHD. The scale was administered to 465 children, which is essential as it enables psychologists, special education teachers, general education teachers, parents, and researchers to utilize a reliable psychometric tool for evaluating the attention and behavioral functioning of children aged 5 to 13. Additionally, the study's findings revealed that teachers and parents perceive ADHD as a disorder caused by medical, behavioral, or environmental factors, with combined ADHD being the most common type. Furthermore, the results indicated that the prevalence rate of ADHD is 6.7%, according to both teachers and parents. When considering severity, the prevalence of ADHD drops to 1.7%. Furthermore, the study's instrument, “ETPARS,” revealed that teachers and parents rated male students, students from the UAE, and those with ADHD higher than female students, expatriates, and students without ADHD. Lastly, discrepancies between parents' and teachers' ratings occur in the school cycle variable, where teachers rated cycle two higher than parents did. The study suggests implementing an awareness campaign on ADHD for parents, teachers, and the broader community.