Classroom Social Interactions of Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity Children as a Function of Stimulant Medication1

Fifteen outpatient and 13 inpatient children with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADDH), age 6 to 12, were observed directly in their classrooms to investigate potential changes in social behaviors and interac-tion patterns with peers and teaching staff as a function of stimulant medication. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject design was used to administer two dose levels of methylphenidate. Analyses were con-ducted on marginal and joint probabilities of 11 observationally based composite behavior categories. In addition to general differences between outpatient and inpatient children, the results indicated there was no change in social approach behaviors of these children as they decreased thei