the hyper kinetic syndrome does occur in some children as a direct consequence of central nervous system damage. At the same time, the behavioral sequella of brain damage in childhood can be most diverse.no pattern of behavioral dysfunction can be considered to fit all brain-damaged children. (Thomas, Chess, and Birch, p.135).
The Developmental Position.
A prevailing view with a great deal of support is that hyperactivity is a developmental pattern emerging from an inborn temperament and predisposition to the condition (Weary, 1968; Safer and Allen, 1976; Wender, 1973; Thomas et al., 1968; and Schmitt et al., 1973). Anyone spending a short time observing newborns will witness a dramatic demonstration of the normal variance of infant behavior.
Thomas et al. (1968) has documented temperament differences in nine areas; activity level, rhythmicity, approach or withdrawal, adaptability, intensity of reaction, threshold of responsiveness, quality of mood, distractibility, and attention span to persistence. Clearly, if certain combination of these temperament characteristics dominate, the child is likely to be considered difficult to manage.
Kagan's work on cognitive tempo(1965) underscored the differences in children on the dimension of Impulsivity-reflectivity. Many of the subsequent studies generated by Kagan concerned the modifiability of impulsive behavior and are germaine to work with hyperactive children (Kendall and Finch, 1978; Messer, 1976; Egeland, 1976; and Denny, 1972).
The following statement by Wender (1973) represents one of the strongest statements that has been found asserting the developmental nature of hyperactivity.
"In virtually all instances hyperactivity is the result of an inborn temperamental difference in the child. How the child is treated and raised can affect the severity of his problem but it cannot cause the problem. Certain types of raising may make the problem worse, certain types of raising may make the problem better.
