Time aids may help disabled children understand time better.

The study

1. 01

   Who took part

   47 children aged 6 to 11 with a range of disabilities, including ADHD and autism, took part in Sweden. 37 were analysed: 12 girls and 25 boys, about 9 years old on average.

2. 02

   What they did

   The time-aid group had 3 to 11 meetings with a professional over six months. Each lasted one and a half to two hours. They used time aids such as a time ruler or a calendar, and their parents and teachers were taught about time. The waiting group got their usual help for six months, then the same help.

3. 03

   What happened

   The time-aid group got better at a test of understanding and handling time than the waiting group. Parents saw more gains in daily time management with time aids, but not clearly more than the waiting group. That gap was close to the usual cut-off for a real difference, but did not reach it. The study was small, and the authors urge caution.

What the study found

1. Helped

   Children who got time aids and professional help improved more at understanding time than those who waited.

   • Action: Use a planner or calendar apptested
   • Rule: Put a visible cue where you'll do ittested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Small randomised trial of 37 children with disabilities in Sweden · vs children who were still waiting · they rated themselves · ⚠ many people dropped out; only counted people who finished; numbers unreliable; summary claims more than the results show

2. No difference

   Parents saw more gains in daily time management with time aids, but not clearly more than the waiting group.

   • Action: Use a planner or calendar apptested
   • Rule: Put a visible cue where you'll do ittested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Small randomised trial of 37 children with disabilities in Sweden · vs the waiting group · they rated themselves · ⚠ many people dropped out; only counted people who finished; numbers unreliable; summary claims more than the results show

Source