This brief paper summarizes information on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). First it identifies eight common characteristics of this disorder: (1) inattentiveness and distractibility, (2) impulsiveness, (3) hyperactivity, (4) attention-demanding behavior, (5) learning difficulties, (6) coordination difficulties, (7) unacceptable…

Although Mina Shaughnessy remains influential in the basic writing field, her answers to the vital questions of who basic writers are and why they underachieve as writers are changing. Whether she intended to or not, Shaughnessy's book "Errors and Expectations" (published in 1977) was a major force in forming an image of basic writers as…

The prevailing concept of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a medical one: those exhibiting significant problems in maintaining attention and restraining impulses are said to have a "disorder," which implies some sort of malfunction within the individual. What is needed is a "both/and" perspective: a perspective that…

The role of social support in moderating stress was examined in 65 parents of hyperactive children. The sample included 29 couples and 7 single mothers. The theoretical framework guiding the research was Lazarus' general model of stress. Each parent's psychological functioning was hypothesized to be a function of the severity of the child's…

The relationship between hyperactivity and neuropsychological test performance at different age levels was investigated with 90 children 6-8 years old and 92 children 9-12 years old. Subjects were administered a battery of neuropsychological tests, and a parent completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBC). Young children demonstrated no…

The study examined the social realities of hyperactivity through over 600 interviews with parents, teachers, and physicians. Interviewers sought to analyze the interactions of medical, educational, and familial social systems regarding diagnosis and treatment of hyperactive children. Three questions were focused on: beliefs and attitudes of…

Theories regarding organic determinants of learning and behavior disorders are reviewed historically. Cases illustrating how a bio-ecologic examination can isolate the substances to which a person reacts and some of the reasons for those reactions are presented; and the role of various disorders in relation to the central nervous system is…

A three phase program reduced hyperactive behavior, increased attending/participating behavior, and improved academic performance of a total of 20 learning disabled children from 10 to 14 years of age. (DB)

Research supported by U.S. Public Health Grant No. 293-60 to D.O. Hebb and Grant No. 298-3980 of the Medical Research Council of Canada to Virginia I. Douglas. Part of a PhD thesis submitted to McGill University (Friebergs, 1965).

An attempt was made to modify the attending, on-task behavior of hyperkinetic children in a naturalistic school setting. The boys were taught how to "pay attention." The procedures utilized were based on previous research findings regarding the performance of hyperkinetics on a vigilance monitoring task. (Author)

The symposium report includes the text of an illustrated lecture given by William M. Cruickshank on "Psychopathology and Implications for Educating Brain-Injured Children." Considered in the lecture are hyperactivity, the needs of hyperative children, and educational setting and curriculum. Panel reactions are provided by E.F. Rabe, a pediatric…

Present research questions the traditional unidimensional model in childhood psychopathology. Not only do parents influence the development of their offspring, they, in turn, are influenced by them. The infant is an active agent, affected by and affecting those around him. The infant emerges as a primary source of influence--often in the direction…

The paper reviews educational, medical, and psychopharmacological research concerning the academic, behavioral, and psychological responses of hyperactive children to stimulant medication. In Chapter 1 on the problem and plan of study, brief sections are included on the educational community's lack of knowledge regarding stimulant medication, the…

Presented is the preliminary report of the Interagency Collaborative Group on Hyperkinesis (ICGH) with functions which include exchanging information, coordinating expertise, evaluating existing data from ongoing research and reviewing proposed research for the purpose of making recommendations concerning hyperkinesis and dietary factors. The…

A study involving 18 hyperkinetic children (from 3- to 12-years old) was conducted to test the hypothesis that hyperactive children manifest the same type of hypermotility in their eyes as in the rest of their body. Ss were observed under a series of test conditions (including manual problem solving) which elicit short and long periods of…