چکیده (انگلیسی):

This paper reports a small-scale study to determine whether there is a difference in
problem-solving abilities, from a play perspective, between individuals who are
diagnosed as ADHD and are on medication and those not on medication. Ten children,
five of whom where on medication and five not, diagnosed as ADHD predominantly
inattentive type, were observed in school playgrounds in Malta during recess to verify
any differences in the ways real-life problem-solving situations are tackled. Results
indicated that children on medication tend to avoid group situations and discussion
more often than their non-medicated peers. Additionally, non-medicated individuals
tend to jump more quickly from one emotional state to the other and resort to physical
aggression more often compared with medicated individuals. Such findings suggest
that medication has a negative effect on social interaction processes, while it helps to
maintain self-control, at least from a physical stand point.