The hyperkinetic child: some misleading assumptions

There is much controversy in the literature concerning prevalence, cause, diagnosis and treatment of hyperkinesis. The subject is complex; there is much ambiguity, and many research studies and reports of successful treatment appear to be overly simplistic in their approach to the problem. The use of the term "hyperkinesis" as synonymous with "hyperactivity" and often also with "minimal cerebral dysfunction" causes much confusion. There appear to be some common underlying beliefs about hyperkinetic children; these are critically examined. From integration of reports in the literature with clinical experience, it is contended that the term hyperkinesis should be restricted to the definition used in the British studies, and hyperactivity should be considered only a symptom. Hyperactivity has a large number of underlying causes, and management plans need to be individualized.