A 7-yr-old boy, diagnosed as “hyperactive” and about to be placed on Ritalin, was brought for treatment of insomnia. An unusually high daytime activity level was a secondary complaint. Following an intensive history-taking session with the parents, a functional analysis of the problem behavior was derived. The parents were instructed in management of the behavior and within 2 weeks the insomnia disappeared completely. A 6-month follow-up indicated no recurrence of the insomnia, and a substantial reduction in daytime activity level.