Many children wrongly diagnosed as emotionally disturbed, actually have a faulty sense of perception, known as minimal cerebral disfunction. This article describes some typical symptoms, and discusses ways such children might be helped. (MG)

Hyperactivity is defined, and the relationships among minimal brain dysfunction, cerebral stimulants, and student characteristics such as activity level, attention and learning, and behavior are discussed. Hyperactive children's responses to the use of Ritalin and methylphenidate are reported. (CJ)

The clinical syndrome which relates most frequently to the reading-disabled child is the attention deficity disorder. The child psychiatrist will generally resort to medication only when behavioral management techniques have failed. The two most frequently used medications are Ritalin and Dexedrine, central nervous system stimulants. (JN)

An interview with a professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department at the University of Arkansas focuses on evolution of the field of learning disabilities (LD), including early controversy over the term minimal brain dysfunction (MBD). S. Clements cites a need for adult education centers for postsecondary LD/MBD persons. (CL)

Develops an analysis of what is known about the etiology of hyperkinesis and what is known about the use of stimulant drugs for its treatment. Points out the ambiguities and confusions in diagnosis and treatment calling for an examination of the social and ideological influences upon the medical diagnosis and treatment of hyperkinesis. (Editor/RK)

Summarizes findings in brain research that directly impact how caregivers interact with young children: (1) interplay between genes and environment; (2) contributions of early experiences to brain structure; (3) effects of early interactions on brain "wiring"; (4) the non-linear progress of development; and (5) children's biological…

Describes a process to help journalism students in feature writing break left-brain dependence and make right- and left-brain connections to enliven their writing. Adapts William Gordon's six "synectics modeling" steps: topic description, direct analogies, personal analogies, compressed conflict, new direct analogies, and topic rewrite. (SR)

This brief introduction to E. Jan Kappers' article "Outpatient Treatment of Dyslexia through Stimulation of the Cerebral Hemispheres" reviews the lifetime work of Kappers in the field of dyslexia. (CR)

This study examined differences in electroencephalography (EEG) alpha activity between gifted and nongifted Slovenian student-teachers (N=17 each). Gifted students showed greater left hemisphere activation than nongifted subjects in relaxed states, but lower activation during problem solving. The same pattern was observed in overall hemispheric…

Gives an overview of embryology and prenatal brain, sensory, and motor development. Includes discussion of maternal nutrition, chemical exposure, prenatal drug and alcohol hazards, cigarette smoking, and some causes of neural tube defects and premature birth. (Author/KB)

Human and social capital discourses attempt to explain New Zealand's brain drain. Solutions related to each discourse involve offering incentives for returning or creating links so that expatriates can contribute to their homeland from abroad. Establishing such "diaspora networks" might be the role of adult education. (Contains 43…