Three rating scales--the Conners Parent-Teacher Questionnaire, the Queensland Teacher Questionnaire, and the Pittsburg Adjustment Scale--were used to assess the prevalence of hyperactivity among 1908 elementary children. Rates varied from 5 percent to 8.9 percent, with the overlap going 3.5 percent and the sum of those identified 12 percent. (CL)

Background: Observation studies of students with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) problems in natural classroom situations are costly and relatively rare. Aims: The study enquired how teacher ratings are anchored in actual student classroom behaviours, and how the behaviour of children with ADHD problems differs from their…

The effects of varying the formats of behavior rating scale items on teacher ratings of student hyperactivity were investigated. Two hundred forty-two teachers were asked to rate a variety of children; some had been identified as hyperactive by physicians, parents, or teachers; some were not considered hyperactive; and others were randomly…

The rationale for using a behavioral assessment approach in the evaluation of hyperactivity is explained, and the various procedures for behaviorally assessing hyperactivity are reviewed. Guidelines and resources are also suggested for the practitioner to use in behavioral assessment of hyperactivity. (SW)

Findings of this study argue against the existence of a separate diagnostic category of hyperactivity. Hyperactivity and conduct-problem scales should be combined for purposes of rating child behavior problems. A category of "attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity" should be considered as a separate rating scale factor.…

Elementary school children with attention deficit disorder were classified according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) as hyperactive or not. Teachers' ratings indicated hyperactive children were more problematic. Teachers were able to distinguish between the groups, using the Abbreviated Conners' Rating Scale…

An investigation of the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale-Revised hyperactivity scale found that the referents for teacher ratings should be determined, teachers' ratings should be made more objective, standardization across teachers should be demonstrated before norms are preferred, and the rating scale should be validated via observations or other…

This paper presents the outcomes of a study that investigated the psychometric properties of the School Independence Measure (SIM), an assessment designed to evaluate functional performance in a school setting and to monitor changes in function over time. The SIM operationally defines and criterion references tasks essential to a child's…

Teachers and classroom aides of learning disabled students completed the Conners Abbreviated Teacher Rating Scale (CATRS) on two separate occasions. The study investigated the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of this instrument. CATRS appeared to have sufficient reliability to recommend its continued frequent use. (Author/DWH)

Significant ethnic differences have been consistently documented on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) teacher rating scales. Whether these ethnic differences result from a teacher rating bias or reflect actual classroom behavior patterns is unknown. Ethnic differences between Caucasian and African American (AA) elementary…

Seventy-five visually handicapped individuals, aged 9-22, were evaluated on the Child Behavior Checklist, School Behavior Checklist, Behavior Problem Checklist (BPC), and Revised BPC. Total scores from all four measures correlated well with each other; total scores and subfactors also correlated with such psychopathologic behaviors as aggression,…

Evidence is presented of culturally related differences in the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ratings of teachers and students teachers from China (n=66), Hong Kong (n=109), and the United Kingdom (n=30). Teachers from China rated the videotaped behavior of a target child higher on a number of items than the other teachers. (Contains…

Investigated the agreement and stability of three teacher rating scales used to assess attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in preschoolers. Found that agreement among the rating scales and interrater agreement between teacher and assistant teacher ratings yielded noticeably stronger correlations at elementary school than at preschool 4…

Designed for educators and families, this resource discusses attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It includes information that addresses: (1) characteristics of students with ADHD; (2) causes of ADHD; (3) identification of students with ADHD; (4) legal requirements for identification of students with ADHD; (5) components of a…

This report summarizes activities and findings of a federally funded center at the Arkansas Children's Hospital which reviewed and disseminated literature on the identification and assessment of children with attention deficit disorders (ADD). Meetings throughout Arkansas led to the identification of interest areas, and findings are summarized for…