Comparing treatment tactics with a hyperactive preschool child: stimulant medication and programmed teacher intervention.
Two treatment tactics, food and praise contingent on appropriate play and varying doses of methylphenidate (Ritalin), were evaluated for their effects on a preschool child's activity changes. In addition, other social, verbal, and academic behaviors were monitored to examine possible side effects of the two treatment tactics. Fewer free-play activity changes occurred during contingent reinforcement phases while medication had variable effects: increasing attention to tasks but, at higher doses, decreasing intelligibility of speech and responsiveness to mands. The study outlines a replicable model for comparing medication with alternative behavioral strategies to control hyperactivity and enhance skill development.
D000124:Achievement; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006948:Hyperkinesis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D008774:Methylphenidate