Where Wild Things Grow: Nature- and Activity-based Group Interventions for Neurodivergent Children and Youth

Summary

The goal of this action research project is to develop and implement nature- and activity-based group interventions across health care, school and leisure settings in Southern Norway. The interventions are tailored to support the mental health, self-efficacy and daily life functioning of children and youth in the Agder region, with a particular focus on youngsters who struggle due to neurodivergence, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Tourette's syndrome.

The main questions we aim to answer are:

1. To what extent does nature- and activity-based outdoor education contribute to improvements in children's quality of life?
2. To what extent does nature- and activity-based interventions in a health care setting improve children's self-efficacy, self-esteem and quality of life?
3. Is there a difference in physiological reactions between nature-based provision of education or therapy and traditional indoor provision of education or therapy?

Participants will take part in a 12-week school-based or health care intervention.

Conditions

• Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
• ADHD - Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity
• Autism
• Tourette Syndrome
• Health-Related Quality-of-Life
• Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Universal approach

In this intervention, the whole class participates in a 12-week nature-based experiential education program

BEHAVIORAL

Selective approach

In this intervention, an intentional group of pupils with an identified need is recruited from different classes within the same school to participate in a 12-week nature-based experiential education program

BEHAVIORAL

Outdoor therapy

This intervention is a 10-week outdoor therapy group treatment that takes place in nearby nature

BEHAVIORAL

Climbing therapy

This intervention is a 10-week climbing therapy group treatment that takes place indoors in a climbing hall

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Agder

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Stavanger

  collaborator OTHER

• Sorlandet Hospital HF

  lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

• Carina R Fernee, PhD · Sørlandet Hospital HF

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

5 Years

Max Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-09-01

Primary Completion

2026-06-15

Completion

2027-06-15

Countries

• Norway

Study Locations