Provides an analysis of the rational and nonrational factors in the use of stimulant drugs. Focuses upon the educational system as an arena in which these perspectives contest for dominance in the use of stimulant drugs for hyperkinesis. (Editor/RK)

Twenty elementary-grade boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 20 nondisabled boys worked on an arithmetic task during either high stimulation (music), low stimulation (speech), and no stimulation (silence). Although nondisabled children performed similarly under all three auditory conditions, the children with ADHD did somewhat…

Behavioral strategies appropriate for use with students having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are discussed and grouped into antecedent manipulations (such as physical arrangement and peer tutoring); consequent manipulations (reprimands, teacher attention, and contingency contracting); and cognitive behavioral interventions…

Investigates the creativity and behavior precipitated by employing the mandala as an active centering device for children with Attention-Deficit Disorder or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Drawings were requested and rated according to the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale. Preliminary findings indicate that attentional abilities…

This study examined the psychometric and normative properties of the ADHD-Symptoms Rating Scale with preschool children. Results shed light on normative levels of ADHD behaviors and preschool children and suggested that preschoolers may present with a somewhat different symptom pattern than school-age children. Parents were more likely to endorse…

Eighteen children (ages 6-16) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were compared to 20 controls on both process and product scores from the California Verbal Learning Test for Children. Children with ADHD initially learned the same number of words as controls but showed weaknesses recalling the words after delays. (Contains…

Assesses the efficacy of using brief functional analysis procedures in preschool classrooms for students at-risk for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Results indicated that aggressive behavior was maintained by either positive or negative reinforcement contingencies. Results are discussed in relation to implementing functional…

This article discusses how children with oral and written language disorders can benefit from the Montessori method, especially if the Montessorian is trained to use a Multisensory Structured Language approach. Questions are answered regarding the number of children with learning disabilities, considerations in training the classroom assistant,…

A study evaluated the efficacy of a multicomponent program for treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in 50 students (ages 8- 9). Teachers (n=29) were trained in behavior modification techniques, cognitive behavior strategies, and instructional management strategies. Parents' and teachers' ratings detected improvement in primary…

The study examined perceptions, knowledge, and opinions regarding medication of 146 teachers of students with serious emotional disturbances. Among findings were that global impressions were most often used to evaluate drug effects and that hyperactivity and delusions/hallucinations were most likely to lead to medication. (DB)

Evaluation of 11 moderately/profoundly retarded residents receiving long-term thioridazine treatment found that ratings of hyperactivity and self-injury were significantly lower during the higher dose condition, that high-stereotypy subjects responded better to the drug than low-stereotypy subjects, but that no overall drug effects could be…

Parents' and grandparents' ratings of alternative treatments for children with behavior disorders were assessed. Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO), time-out, response cost, spanking, and medication were applied to noncompliance, aggression, tantrums, and hyperactivity. DRO, response cost, and time-out were found significantly more…

This article critically evaluates social functioning of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity. Differences are evaluated within F. Gresham's model of social functioning, which delineates skill deficits, performance deficits, self-control skill deficits, and self-control…

This overview of recent developments in redefining attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder summarizes articles about assessment instruments and procedures and identifies important issues, including the construct of hyperactivity as it relates to attention, classification systems, and the lack of technical adequacy of many assessment instruments…

This study compared the clinical efficacy of a dopaminergic antagonist (amisulpride) and a dopaminergic agonist (bromocriptine) with 9 children (ages 4-13) with autism and probable severe mental retardation. The amisulpride acted preferentially on specific autism symptoms and the bromocriptine on motor hyperactivity and attention symptoms.…