For Immediate Release
\nContact: Greg.Livadas@rit.edu
\n(585) 475-6217 V\/TTY<\/p>\n
NTID Develops Test for ADHD in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Adults<\/p>\n
DVD allows clinicians to screen clients in their preferred language<\/p>\n
Rochester, N.Y. ? A DVD that uses American Sign Language and English-based sign language to test for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in deaf and hard-of-hearing adults is now available.<\/p>\n
Researchers at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology developed the test in response to the estimated incidence of ADHD in the deaf and hard-of-hearing population being as high as 38 percent. <\/p>\n
Accurate diagnosis of ADHD is important so that appropriate treatment or accommodation can be provided. But existing tests printed in English are not valid for many individuals who typically depend on sign language for accurate communication and whose first language is often not English. <\/p>\n
The Attention Deficit Scales for Adults: Sign Language Version is the first linguistically accessible ADHD assessment instrument designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing adults. It is a computerized sign language version of the original Attention Deficit Scales for Adults published by Santo J. Triolo and Kevin R. Murphy in 1996. The test uses an interactive interface t o present instructions and items in ASL or in English-based sign language, with optional voicing, along with English captions. Clients view and respond to 54 statements, such as, ?I get restless easily,? indicating the frequency with which each statement accurately describes them.<\/p>\n
?We are trying to be sensitive to accessibility issues and meet the needs of the community,? said Ila Parasnis, a professor in NTID?s Department of Research and Teacher Education. ?They have complete control over how they see the test items.? Parasnis carried out this project with Gerald P. Berent and Vincent J. Samar, also NTID researchers.<\/p>\n
The DVD is the result of intensive collaboration at NTID among experts in deaf education, sign language translation, media production and programming. Clinical psychologists and several members of Rochester?s deaf community also were consulted about the usability of this test.
\nThe DVD, which works on both PC and Macintosh computers, includes the interactive test software and two manuals for test administration and interpretation of automatically generated test results.<\/p>\n
The DVD is $149.95 plus shipping and handling and can be purchased by calling NTID at (585) 475-6906 V\/TTY.<\/p>\n
?\tWhat is ADHD?: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder produces distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity which create an enormous challenge to learning in a traditional classroom and multimedia learning environments and functioning in the workplace and other settings. It has recently been recognized that ADHD is a biological disorder that persists throughout the lifespan. The incidence of ADHD in the hearing population is estimated at approximately 5 percent and in the deaf population at between 5 and 38 percent.<\/p>\n
?\tAbout RIT\/NTID: RIT is internationally recognized as a leader in computing, engineering, imaging technology, fine and applied arts, and for providing unparalleled access and support services for students with hearing loss. NTID, one of RIT?s eight colleges, enables more than 1,200 deaf and hard-of-hearing college students from around the world to study, live and socialize with more than 12,000 hearing students. Visit www.rit.edu\/NTID.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For Immediate Release Contact: Greg.Livadas@rit.edu (585) 475-6217 V\/TTY NTID Develops Test for ADHD in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Adults DVD allows clinicians to screen clients in their preferred language Rochester, N.Y. ? A DVD that uses American Sign Language and English-based…<\/p>\n