Nature and activity groups for neurodivergent children and youth
Tests outdoor and climbing group activities in children with ADHD, autism or Tourette.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Where Wild Things Grow: Nature- and Activity-based Group Interventions for Neurodivergent Children and Youth
Key facts
- Where
- Kristiansand, NorwaySee the 2 sites
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 5 and 18 years old?
Source: NCT07203469, who can take part
Where in Norway
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ABUP), Sørlandet Hospital HFKristiansand, NorwayTaking people
- Department of Sport and Physical Education, University of AgderKristiansand, NorwayTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Sorlandet Hospital HF
- Trial code
- NCT07203469
- Record updated
- 2 October 2025
- Original description
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.Read full original descriptionShow less
Where Wild Things Grow: Immediate and Long-term Impact of Nature- and Activity-based Group Interventions for Neurodivergent Children and Youth in School, Health Care and Leisure Settings in Agder
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.
Inclusion: In PhD 1, participants are recruited on class-level (all) or individual (identified need); In PhD 2, inclusion criteria are patients that participate in the specific interventions.
Exclusion: In PhD 2, exclusion criteria include substance misuse, acute psychosis, current suicidal behavior/ideation, and severe eating disorders.