Investigates the performance of children with learning, psychiatric, and attentional disabilities on the Stroop Color and Word Test. Results indicated clear differences between groups, with the learning disabled (LD) and the psychiatric/attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) groups generating unique profiles. Children with LD showed…

Parenting an adolescent with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) presents a number of unique challenges and stressors. Social workers can play an important role in providing psychosocial therapies for clients with ADHD and their families. This article analyzes theories of parenting stress and the research literature about parenting and…

An ethological or behavioral approach views childhood emotional outbursts as conflict between avoidance and attachment behavior on the part of the child. The classification of the level of motivation may produce a more useful diagnosis than standard psychiatric categories of behavior. This approach can also be applied to children diagnosed as…

This review of research on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) indicates that standard diagnostic criteria are overly inclusive when applied to young children, with only half of impulsive toddlers fitting the criteria for ADHD at later ages. Accurate diagnosis depends on an evaluation of behaviors, child temperament, parent-child…

Parents of children with attentional deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), other psychiatric diagnoses, or no history of school or home problems reported the frequency of their children's sleep disturbances before and after observing their children's behaviors for a month. Parents of ADHD children reported higher frequencies of sleep disturbances…

Investigated effects of varying doses of psychostimulant medications on expressive qualities evident in children's art products. Findings from eight children affected by attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder indicated that specific areas assessed were influenced by varying doses of medications. Data from art corresponded in positive manner to…

This study investigated the psychometric characteristics of the Family Empowerment Scale (FES) with 228 families having children with severe emotional disturbance or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Factor analyses provided a four-factor solution (systems advocacy, knowledge, competence, and self-efficacy) and supported the use of the…

Reviews "Attention Deficit Disorder: ADHD and ADD Syndromes" (D. R. Jordan), a short book about the characteristics and differences between attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the effect they have on children and adults in their classrooms, home, and workplace. The book includes techniques for…

Describes prospective longitudinal studies that pertain to stability, developmental pathways, and long-term outcome for conduct problems and hyperactivity. Reviews treatment outcome studies for these problems with at least one year of follow-up data. Discusses implications of longitudinal research for diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of…

Assessments were made of possible functions of overactive behaviors for two adults with severe intellectual disability using both ecological analyses and cluster analyses. Two ecological approaches suggested that the behaviors of both clients were related to levels of environmental stimulation. Cluster analyses showed that the behaviors, though…

This case study of a severely hyperactive, moderately retarded 4-year-old boy evaluated the efficacy of methylphenidate, fenfluramine, and placebo over a 2.5-year period. Initially, methylphenidate was clinically effective in decreasing overactivity; however, it was later shown to exacerbate the child's symptoms. Fenfluramine was found to produce…

Evaluated separate and combined effects of behavior modification and two doses of methylphenidate compared with baseline on classroom behavior and academic performance of 31 attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) boys. Found significant effects of both interventions, with mean effect size of medication being more than twice as great as…

This article provides an overview of two commonly used therapies for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder in children: stimulant medication treatment and training parents in child behavior management skills. The clinical issues involved in the use of each treatment, its limitations, and evidence for its efficacy are reviewed. (Author/JDD)

Studied academic underachievement (AU) among 177 clinic-referred boys diagnosed with either attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) or conduct disorders (CD). AU was associated with both ADHD and CD when disorders were examined individually. When examined in multivariate logit model analyses, apparent relation between CD and AU was found…

Special educational methods need to develop beyond the diagnostic use of IQ tests. Individual differences in cognitive abilities of students need to be understood and need to be incorporated into effective individualized educational interventions. The goal is to raise the level of performance and the standard deviation of performance. (MMU)