Children should be seen and heard: self-report of feelings and behaviors in primary-school-age children with ADHD.
OBJECTIVE
The belief that children with externalizing disorders have difficulties with self-awareness raises the question of whether children with externalizing disorders are good informants of their own behavior.


METHODS
This study investigates how children with ADHD rate their behaviors compared to children without ADHD on a new rating scale (the Self-Evaluation Scale for Children).


RESULTS
Preliminary results indicate that this rating scale has acceptable reliability and validity. Furthermore, children with ADHD are found to provide useful information about their feelings and behaviors. Compared to children without ADHD, children with ADHD report more disorganized, disruptive, and impulsive behaviors; poorer self-perception; and poorer social and communication skills. They do not report any less interest in school activities nor more anxiety than the children without ADHD.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that children with ADHD are more self-aware than previously thought, and this information should inform our clinical and research practice.
Klimkeit
Ester
E
Monash University Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, School of Psychology, and Psychological Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Ester.Klimkeit@med.monash.edu.au
Graham
Claire
C
Lee
Paul
P
Morling
Megan
M
Russo
Diana
D
Tonge
Bruce
B
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012951:Socialization