Joe's Horses

This exegesis investigates potentially impactful design elements in literature designed for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study centres around 269 children with an ADHD diagnosis in Aotearoa New Zealand, utilising an action research approach centred around a book designed specifically for this investigation, called ‘Joe's Horses’. The study focuses on the investigation of design elements used in the book which were included to test their efficacy in engaging this population, aiming to enhance the length of time they spent paying attention to their reading. Through an observation of the time spent by children with ADHD paying attention to the book, the study reveals some possible trends in the reading habits of the children in the sample. This exegesis draws upon the existing literature on ADHD and education and aligns with the growing interest in understanding the experiences of these learners and finding effective ways to support them in their pursuits. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on ADHD education by providing commentary on the potential impact of tailored design elements. The findings offer a starting point for considering insights for researchers and practitioners seeking to enhance the reading experiences of these children. The design elements in Joe’s Horses offer insights consistent with some of the children in the sample and will not suit all children with ADHD.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Professional Practice

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Public Health

Grantor

Otago Polytechnic

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Phillips, Lisa

• ADHD
• literature
• reading
• engagement
• connection

Statement dc:rights

• CC BY-NC-ND Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10652/7073

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchbank.ac.nz:10652/7073