http://www.simplynoise.com/

Smart Studying Support for students with disabilities via smartphone and interactive tools

for planning and organizing

Anna Göthner & Åsa Ferm, Coordinators, Stockholm UniversityBirger Moëll, Psychologist & Alex Bergvall, Computer Scientist, Sincely

23-04-19

Smart Studying

• An interactive online program

• Teaches students with ADHD or trouble organizing their studies how to:– Learn effective techniques for studying

– Learn effective techniques for organization

– Improve attention and remove distractions

– Lessen procrastination

Between yesterday and tomorrow

• Yesterday – The science behind it– Increased need for assistance with planning,

organization and motivation

• Today – a pilot project, Smart Studying

• Tomorrow – The students' reflections and evaluation– What we have learned

The science behind it

The program is based on the research finding from the worlds first randomized controlled trial of Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ADHD

The RCT was conducted between 2011 and 2013 at Internetpsykiatri at Huddinge Sjukhus in Sweden

The results are currently being prepared for submission to an academic journal

The science behind it

The study was in turn inspired by an Norwegian study «Mobiltelefon som kognitiv støtte for personer med ADHD og Asperger syndrom»

where students with ADHD and Asperger used their mobile phones as an assistive tool

http://www.nordicwelfare.org/Om-oss/Valfardsteknologi/Mobil-ger-stod-i-vardagen/

The science behind it

The study was also inspired by Pernilla Hallbergs master thesis “The Mobile Phone as Assistive Technology for Adults with ADHD”, a great overview of how mobile phones are used as assistive technology by individuals with ADHD

http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:208107

Increased need for assistance with planning, organization and motivation

• At Stockholm University– 2008, support to 400 students with all kinds of

disabilities– 2013, the overall number of students that are

recommended support had tripled, with 400 students having ASD, ADHD or psychiatric disabilities

• Largest number of students who receive support in Sweden

Mentors

• A popular and often

effective support in

planning, organization

and motivation

• Mentor support does

not fit all students

• Difficult to find a

mentor for each

student

The support needs to be diversified and adapted to each individual

• Two pilot projects were launched

Study groups, where students receive support by each other and an experienced supervisor

Smart Studying

Smart Studying

The aim

To provide students

with tools so that they

at the end of the

programme can plan,

organize and motivate

themselves to achieve

their study goals.

The course

• During 8 weeks and a minimum of 30 minutes per day

• The support is given via the student's smartphone; electronic calendar, reminders, to-do lists, apps to improve concentration etc

• Students have the support of a psychologist via email, phone and text messages, who became their personal mentor and supported their on-line work

The students

• Offered to students with ASD, ADHD or psychiatric disabilities and who described that they had difficulties with organization, planning and motivation

• Currently– 7 students from Stockholms University – 13 students from Karolinska Institutet – All have ADHD

How does it work?

The program is set up of 7 modules focusing on key areas that are troublesome for individuals with ADHD.

•Attention

•Organization

•Hyperactivity

•Impulse control

•Procrastination

Components

Module Key Components

Exercises Applications

Module 1 Introduction and goal setting SMART Goal Setting

N-back memory training

Module 2 Online CalendarPomodoro Technique Evernote, Calendar

Module 3Smartphone Calendar

Dividing tasks, Physical Exercise

White-noise, Runkeeper

Module 4 To-do-listsDistraction lists, Mindfulness

To-do-lists, Mindfulness

Module 5

Handling distractions and procrastination

Handling distractions, Speed reading,

Speed reading, Distraction blockers

Module 6Problem solving, repetition

Problem solving, choosing exercises to continue training on

Sleep help, Google Maps, Dropbox

Module 7 Wrapping upContinuing your work -

Overview of the program

Apps for improved organization

GtasksEvernote Dropbox

Apps for improved attention

Mindfulness N-back Simplynoise

Shared Google Calendar

Finding your own study routine

• Participants choose their own goals

• Goals focused on finding a better routine for life that works for them

• The interactive program, the support of a psychologist and applications aims at helping them reach these goals

Demonstration

• http://sincely.com/sv

Tomorrow

The students refections

What we learned

The students’ reflectionsThe names of the participants have been changed to protect privacy

"Everything has been fantastic with the program, getting started with life, cleaning

and doing the dishes, meeting people, general activation, I’m happier and more

active in every way.” – Elsa 23

"In my case, I have failed during many years since I have not received this help, if

you know you have a disability it would be great to get this in the beginning when

you start studying. I highly recommend it to all, many have been using Google

calendar for a long time, but for me, this is a great experience, being able to use

support tools in school.” – Caroline 32

"For me it's motivation, that you are here and that I can talk to you, to know that

there is someone who cares about us who have problems.” – Lovisa 22

The students’ reflections

"Cleaning up and breaks, has really helped me a lot, the calendar act as a

support for my structure, it was what I needed. I'm very happy that I joined

in this.” – Anna 23

”I’ve got my confidence back, I feel the way I felt years ago.” – Josefine 28

”Text messages works great, I get a little kick every day, now it’s time to

focus, time to think about myself, I like that. ” – Maria 26

The students’ reflections

”I get reminders now when should I study, and when it’s free time, which I think

is great.” – Erik 24

”I have suffered over the years and had study break after study break. If I'd

had this then, it would have helped a lot.” – Caroline 32

”I have more structure and I feel calmer.” – Anna 28

”I’m using the program all the time, and I'm very happy with it.” – David 25

The students’ reflections

”I think that I have plenty of time but when it gets stressful, I go back to my old

ways, but I don’t feeling good about it, my learning isn’t as effective, I pass my

exams, but just barely.” – Peter 26

“I forget that the program exists, there is so much to do, it’s hard to know what to

start with.” – Anna 24

"Unfortunately, I have been very bad at following my planning. Not because I

missed the reminders but because I don’t care about them. Planning tomorrow

and evaluating the planning of my studies hasn’t worked at all. I get anxious that I

should be doing other "important" things when I try to take time to do something

fun or relaxing.” – Carl 28

The program helped me

• Feel less stressed due to better organization of my everyday life

• Continue to study every day, with reminders to keep the focus up

• To plan my day, but also to find time between activities

• Add leisure time to my calendar!

• Been able to be with the horses without a guilty conscience

• Get started with study breaks

• Been able to feel a little more calm when I'm not studying

• Find study tips

• Use reminders

• Focus on achieving a long term goal rather than a short-term

ADHD-symptoms measured with Adult ADHD-self report scale

*Preliminary data

Course evaluation

Challenges with the program

• The students expectations of the study

• The uneven starting point

• Finding the best way to communicate with each student

• Technological difficulties

• Dealing with procrastination

• Dealing with impulsivity

• Dealing with inattention

What we have learned

• Motivation is key

• Important to take the time to find students who are willing to work hard to achieve a change

• Teaching an assortment of tools gives every student the chance to find things ze likes

• Online interventions can be helpful for students with disabilities!

Want to learn more about the program?

Read more at www.sincely.com/info/buildingbridges

Contact

Alex@sincely.com

Birger@sincely.com

www.su.se/disability www.su.se/funktionsnedsattning