Effects of cognitive training on academic and on-task behavior of hyperactive children

A cognitive training program that taught both self-instructional and self-management skills was used with three 7-to 8-year-old hyperactive children. A multiple baseline across individuals design was used to evaluate the effects of training on on- task behavior and math accuracy. There were significant changes in math accuracy for all subjects, and two subjects showed significant improvements in on- task behavior. Evidence suggesting generalization to untrained behaviors was shown by an increase in self-correction of oral reading for all subjects. The results suggest that cognitive training specifically designed to promote generalization to classroom tasks can improve the classroom behavior and academic achievement of hyperactive children.The study was supported by a scholarship to the first author from the Specific Learning Difficulties Association (SPELD, Auckland). The authors would like to thank Mr. T. F. Walbran, deputy district senior inspector of primary schools, and Mrs. S. Gribben and the staff of Dominion Road Primary School; Mrs. F. Donovan helped with the collection of reading data and Dr. G. Arvidson gave assistance with data analysis. Special thanks also go to the graduate students who served as trainers or observers.