Examined effects of methylphenidate on social behaviors of hyperactive children between ages of 6 and 11 during unstructured activities outdoors. The children received a placebo, a low dose and a moderate dose of methylphenidate. Trained observers coded the children's actions as either appropriate social, negative social, or nonsocial behavior.…

The clinical interaction of Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADD/HA) and Developmental Reading Disorder (DRD) is discussed. A study is reported which supports the effectiveness of both special reading instruction and drug therapy using methylphenidate. (Author/DB)

Newborn status, ratings of temperament, and experiential (parenting) antecedents of hyperactivity were evaluated in a longitudinal investigation. Experiential variables included maternal intrusive care, seductive behavior towards child, and overstimulation of child. (PCB)

Two experiments examined hyperactive children's tendency to underfocus their attention during learning. Taken together, the results of both experiments demonstrated the validity of the attentional diffusion hypothesis and indicate the need to assess the central processing demands associated with central and incidental learning in order to evaluate…

Children ages 2-3 years (N=46) described by their parents as hyperactive, inattentive, or noncompliant, and 22 controls were observed with their mothers during play. Among reported results was that mothers of problem children made more negative control statements at follow-up than mothers of controls. (Author/JW)

A theoretically based investigation of color stimulation effects on hyperactivity was conducted. Findings were that stimulation added early or late to a sustained attention task can normalize the performance of hyperactive children and reduce their activity. (Author/LMO)

Compared the effects of methylphenidate, pemoline, and a placebo on learning and retention in 36 hyperactive children. Results showed both methylphenidate and pemoline improved learning and relearning performance on spelling and produced a similar but less clear enhancement of learning on the paired-associate learning task. (JAC)

Characteristics of hyperactive children are described, along with available treatments for the condition, the cause of which remains obscure. Advice to help parents cope with the problem is included. (PP)

Teachers and classroom aides of learning disabled pupils were asked to complete the Conners Abbreviated Teacher Rating Scale (CATRS) on two separate occasions, one month apart. Inter-rater reliability for teachers (.866) and for aides (.602), and reliability across time for teachers (.866) and aides (.603) achieved acceptable levels. (Author/BW)

Several forms of hyperkinesis and their symptoms are discussed along with suggested treatment of the hyperkinetic syndrome. (SK)

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The author urges the reader to consider the vital role that ergonomic furniture design can have on the lives of our children in schools. He writes that Western civilizations include teaching how to sit still in their schools' "hidden curriculum." Most teachers seem to associate learning with quiet, disciplined sitting. "They are making…

This book is written to support parents and practitioners who wish to understand movement and how it contributes to all aspects of learning--intellectual, social and emotional, as well as the movement/motor aspect itself. Moreover, as there is a huge increase in the number of children with movement learning difficulties (Keen, 2001), that is…

This digest examines attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and symptoms of the disability. Pertinent adult problems include: (1) substance abuse, antisocial behaviors, and criminality, all of which can occur in adults with ADHD; (2) poor social skills or deficits in self-awareness are also frequent; (3) occurrence of ADHD with…