This miniseries summarizes the major modifications in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM), and evaluates research pertaining to the changes made in the criteria for diagnoses. States that it is important for school psychologists to understand the contributions and limitations of the DSM because they often…

Describes major modifications in diagnostic criteria for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reflected in Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), summarizing pertinent research. Discusses clinical utility and limitations of DSM-IV with regard to the practice of school psychology. Gives specific suggestions to guide…

The Auditory Continuous Performance Test (ACPT) was evaluated with 12 children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 11 children without ADHD. The study found that the ACPT has acceptable specificity but very low sensitivity and thus cannot currently be recommended as a screening test for ADHD. (Author/DB)

The authors of an earlier article, which argued that the social skills deficits typically found in children with learning disabilities (LD) are largely due to the comorbidity of LD with psychiatric disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depressive disorder, respond to a critique that did not find this relationship…

Evaluates a parent skills training and education group for parents with ADHD adolescents. The program provides information about ADHD and training in problem solving and parent skills. The evaluation showed there was a statistically significant decrease in frequency and intensity of self-reported parent-adolescent conflict and in parent-reported…

Presents author's perspective on the challenging behavior of her son, theorizing about that behavior while drawing on research into temperament. Outlines history of "attention and behavior problems," culminating in most recent work on neuropsychological factors. Considers ways various approaches assign blame for "problems" to…

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) continues to be a complex condition to assess and treat, particularly in young children. Nevertheless, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to help attenuate or even prevent certain undesirable effects. This article describes the disorder as manifested by children under age 5, discusses…

The sleep profiles of 13 children (ages 5-13) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who were treated with a fixed dose of methylphenidate for at least one month were compared with those of 16 healthy siblings. Significantly more children with ADHD demonstrated sleep disturbances and higher rates of sleep disorders. (Author/CR)

Explores preschool teachers' ratings of both the perceived importance of and their comfort levels implementing interventions for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Participants included 138 teachers from licensed child care facilities. Teachers concluded the majority of interventions were mostly important and believed they…

A parent and educator who has spent the past 10 years struggling to help her own ADHD (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder) child offers suggestions for managing the challenges facing such children and enhancing the quality of their lives. Since drug regimens have limitations, parents need to read appropriate literature and receive…

Investigates the relationship between the time of a repeated reading intervention and measures of oral-reading fluency with boys having Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder Combined Type (ADHD-CT) and treated with methylphenidate. Students mastered passages more quickly, and had fewer reading errors during the intervention when administered 45…

Determines the effectiveness of a structured free-time contingency for a 12-year-old male with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The overall outcome indicates increases in compliance and on-task behavior during the structured free-time condition. These procedures were effective and easy to implement in a special education resource room for…

Notes that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly diagnosed in the first few years of education. Details characteristics of ADHD and education interventions, including: (1) giving frequent, immediate, and specific feedback; (2) breaking tasks into smaller units; and (3) using preferred activities to reinforce appropriate…

Used semi-parametric mixture model with boys assessed repeatedly from 6 to 15 years to approximate a continuous distribution of developmental trajectories for aggression, opposition, and hyperactivity. Found that a chronic oppositional trajectory, with other trajectories held constant, led to covert delinquency only. A chronic physical aggression…

Describes a study that recorded the type and severity of body movements of 79 boys with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and 67 non-ADHD boys while playing a computer video game. Results of multivariate analysis of variance showed no statistically significant differences in body movements between ADHD and non-ADHD boys. (Author/LRW)