The Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (Hyperkinesis) in Children

Abstract

Thirty hyperkinetic children were selected on the basis of (1) a clinical diagnosis using the DSM-III criteria for Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperkinesis; (2) having remained in treatment for at least six months and having been seen at least three times by a child psychiatrist, with the diagnosis maintained over that time; and (3) a maternal score greater than 18 on the Conners Abbreviated Parent-Teacher Rating Scale for Hyperkinesis on the initial day of testing. The children were tested on that day with the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and the Draw-a-Line Slowly Test (DALS) for impulsivity. Age- and sex-normalized data from 15 of the hyperkinetic children and 83 normal school children of similar age selected on the basis of teacher ratings of less than 15 on the Conners Parent-Teacher Rating Scale were subjected to a discriminant function analysis. The stability of the discriminant function obtained, which contained the Continuous Performance Test, Errors of Commission (CPTC), Errors of Omission (CPTO), Mean Reaction Time (MRT), and DALS, was tested on the second group of 15 hyperkinetic children. Of the 15 hyperkinetic children, 9 were correctly classified, as were 99% of the normal school group (p < 0.001).