Using video games to facilitate understanding of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a feasibility study

Abstract

This paper presents an approach for facilitating understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) through the procedural rhetoric of our persuasive video game { em Drawn to Distraction}. Different from realistic simulations, our game is designed to convey a message about the disorder primarily through game mechanics. To test the feasibility of this approach, we conducted a series of studies involving caregivers of ADHD-affected children and the general public. The results, especially in Experiment 3, show promising trends on the feasibility of using persuasive games to promote understanding of psychological disorders.