Signos plásticos e interação significante: análise comparativa da atribuição de significados ao fidget toy pop-it por adultos com e sem TDAH.

Abstract

This study investigates how the plastic signs—color, shape, and dimension—of Pop-It Fidget Toys influence the attribution of meaning by adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), compared to neurotypical adults. The research employs both qualitative and quantitative methods to determine whether there are significant differences in how these two groups perceive and interact with fidget toys. The experiment involved 12 participants, equally divided between individuals diagnosed with ADHD and neurotypical individuals. Participants interacted with nine different Pop-It variations, each distinct in terms of color, shape, and dimension. To capture the meanings attributed to these objects, a meaningful interaction questionnaire and a second questionnaire focused on each plastic sign were used, supplemented by interviews that recorded spontaneous responses during the interaction. Participants with ADHD primarily attributed practical and playful meanings to the objects, with shape emerging as the most relevant plastic sign in their interpretations. In contrast, neurotypical participants predominantly assigned practical and critical meanings, highlighting both shape and dimension as the most influential signs for this group.