Because our world is increasingly affected by chemical and natural pollutants, schools need to take extra precautions to ensure a healthy learning environment. (Author)

A comparison of the effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin) and response cost in reducing the offtask behavior of two boys (7 and 8 years old) with attentional deficit disorders and hyperactivity revealed that response cost (with free time as the reinforcer) was superior to Ritalin in increasing ontask behavior and improving academic performance.…

Classroom peer perceptions of 18 teacher-nominated hyperactive and 18 teacher-nominated active but normal elementary school-age boys were compared. Results indicated that hyperactives were significantly different from actives on all sociometric measures in that they were perceived more negatively. (Author/SB)

Evaluated construct validity of Kagan's Matching Familiar Figures Test (MFF). None of the scoring procedures differentiated between behavior-disordered and normal boys. Failure of the error measures to designate a greater frequency of behavior-disordered boys as impulsive than are their normal peers raised questions about validity of the MFF.…

The Dyslexia Research Institute has diagnosed and remediated dyslexic and hyperkinetic children through the use of trained paraprofessionals under expert supervision. (SB)

The results indicated that training had the effect of reducing the biasing effect of the diagnostic label when the rating scale was employed. No biasing effect was noted for the time sampling results. (Author/DLS)

The relationship between motor hyperactivity and childhood depression was investigated in 178 children referred for evaluation of school problems. Sixty percent of the children fulfilled the modified Feighner criteria for primary childhood depression. Forty-four percent had motor hyperactivity and 75 percent of these also showed depression.…

Eleven hyperactive children (6 to 15 years old) were treated with a food extract after titration food allergy testing. They remained improved for 1 to 3 months while ingesting the foods to which they were sensitive. (Author)

The study tested the hypothesis that in 11 hyperactive children (7 to 13 years old) a low dose of methylphenidate would produce scores superior to those with a high dose or placebo on the matching familiar figures test (MFF), a primary index of impulsivity. Journal availability: American Academy of Pediatrics, P.O. Box 1034, Evanston, IL 60204.…

Describes the cognitive styles of 70 hyperactive adults and 42 matched controls as part of a followup study. (CM)

Twenty-three impulsive, high-active first graders were trained to verbally mediate responses on a multiple choice task. (Author/CL)

The paper reviews cognitive training studies with children showing behavioral, attentional, or cognitive problems. (Author)

The frequency of otitis media among 22 hyperactive children (ages 7-to-13 years) with learning disorders was compared with the frequency of otitis media in a sample of 772 normal matched-age children. (Author/PHR)

Discusses the controversial use of Ritalin among preschool children, examining research from two studies: "Treatment Strategies for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder" and "Preschool ADHD Treatment Study." Examines issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and concludes by examining the influence of the human…