Hyperactivity in a group of children referred to a Scottish Child Guidance Service: a significant problem

This study tested the hypothesis that if the same measure of hyperactivity was used a similar proportion of children in Britain referred for child guidance advice would be found to be hyperactive as in North America. Conners' Teacher Rating Scale for hyperactivity was completed for 89 of the first 100 primary school children referred in one school year to a schools' psychological service. The rating scale was also completed for a matched control group. A significant difference was found between the hyperactivity ratings of the two groups. Of the referred children 42.7 per cent were rated as hyperactive, similar to the reported incidence in North America.