This study brought together a team of researchers, healthcare professionals and children and families/carers with lived experience to develop an animation resource for children newly diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Research to meet a need
Researchers from Cardiff University were first approached by local parent support groups looking for resources to explain ADHD to children. What started as a general discussion led to a full collaboration to develop an animated educational resource for children. Researchers brought together a wide team from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Section and National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) at Cardiff University, healthcare professionals, and children and families/carers with lived experience of ADHD to develop the animation.
Centring lived experience
The team conducted focus groups and questionnaires and used thematic analysis to identify key themes for the animation. The themes included information about ADHD, self-management tips, positive aspects of ADHD, and the challenges of having ADHD. These themes were used to form the main content of the animation script and storyboard. Ideas generated in the groups also informed the visual design. The team worked closely with a digital animation company to create the storyboard and animation. Children, families/carers and professionals were involved at different stages of the development process.
New evidence-based support
The research resulted in both an accessible evidence-based resource for children newly diagnosed with ADHD and a framework for cooperative working to develop future resources.
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