Parent Training Tailored to Parents With ADHD: Development of the Improving Parenting Skills Adult ADHD (IPSA) Program

Abstract

Objective: To describe the development of the Improving Parenting Skills Adult ADHD (IPSA) parent training (PT) program, designed for parents with ADHD. Method: IPSA was developed using an iterative co-creation approach, involving parents with ADHD from the initial knowledge mobilization phase onwards. The program prototype was evaluated by 16 parents with ADHD, in an open trial of program feasibility. Results: IPSA was deemed feasible in terms of acceptability and levels of active participation, with no evidence of unintended harm. All but one participant completed the program, attending on average 84% of sessions. Pre-to-post within-group comparisons of targeted skills and outcomes revealed changes in the expected direction regarding, for example, use of introduced parenting skills (Cohen’s d = 1.3). Conclusion: The program prototype was found acceptable, accessible, and safe. Findings support the potential value of adapting PT protocols for parents with ADHD and warrant further evaluation of IPSA in a randomized controlled trial.