The author considers the role of teacher attention, attention span, reading, and hyperactivity in the creation and remediation of learning disabilities (LD). He suggests that LD classes which focus on deficits and errors may be maintaining or increasing these behaviors; and that hyperactivity can be be remediated through operant techniques. (CL)

The article discusses several criticisms of the use of drugs in the treatment of hyperactivity, and suggests some nondrug procedures for parents and teachers to use in the home and classroom to minimize and control a child's hyperactive behavior. (DLS)

The article critically appraises and reviews a selected group of nine observational instruments commonly used to assess activity level (and in particular, hyperactivity) in young children, and provides an annotated bibliography of 13 newer or less popular instruments. (DLS)

Decreased longitudinal growth was observed in 24 hyperkinetic children (mean age 8 years) receiving pemoline therapy. Journal availability: see EC 114 425. (Author/CL)

Discusses distinguishing and overlapping features of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder. Notes that conclusions regarding comorbidity, treatment efficacy, and long-term outcome can be influenced by several factors, including diagnostic procedures and sample characteristics. Sees need to distinguish between referred and…

Examined diagnostic accuracy of Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scales for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Estimated 3 logistic regression models in 121 children with and without ADHD, then tested models in cross-validation sample (n=122) and among 219 siblings of samples. In all four groups, CBCL Attention Problems scale had…

Information about temperament differences among children may not be fully incorporated into the practice of school psychology. An increase in the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may be related to insufficient appreciation of normal temperament variations. Research on children's temperament and consideration of…

Claims early studies of diet and ADHD focused irrelevantly on sugar, failing to sufficiently eliminate problem-causing foods, include parental observations, and adequately rate common symptoms. Asserts that recent studies show additive-free diets alone are of little benefit, that a low-chemical elimination diet followed by challenges can identify…

Eighteen children and one young adult ADHD patients were treated with alert hypnosis as an adjunct to neurotherapy. Posttest means for each subscale (Inattentive, Impulsive, and Hyperactive) of the Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale-Home Version were significantly lower than pretest scores. No comparison group was used, and outcomes were…

Objective: To assess the course and short-term outcomes associated with separation anxiety disorder (SAD) in a community setting. Method: The subjects were 161 of 2,061 8- to 17-year-old twins with SAD from a community-based twin study. Subjects were born between 1974 and 1983. Subjects and parents were personally interviewed about the subject's…

This study investigates whether low to moderate levels of childhood oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) behaviors contribute to the development of clinically diagnosed CD in adolescence, in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Participants were 207 White boys (ages 6-12) with ADHD free of conduct…

Objective: Sleep disturbances appear as a comorbid condition in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of activity levels during sleep and therapeutic response to methylphenidate (MPH). Method: Nightly sleep actigraphic recordings during a double-blind, placebo-controlled,…

The authors investigated illicit use of stimulant medications at a midwestern university. They used a questionnaire to (a) examine the extent to which university students illicitly used stimulant medications prescribed liar attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; (b) determine why college students abused such drugs; and (c) identify the factors…

Parenting responsiveness and over-reactivity were assessed among 25 mothers of 7-9-year-old sons with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and oppositional behavior (Oppositional Defiant, OD), 24 mothers of sons with ADHD only, and 38 mothers of nonproblem sons. Responsiveness was observed during mother-son play and clean-up…