Effects of the label “hyperactive”

The potential effect of the label “hyperactive” was evaluated in a survey of pediatricians and school psychologists. While all professionals were presented with a questionnaire depicting a child displaying hyperactive behaviors, only half received a case description that actually included the label “hyperactive.” All professionals indicated the extent to which they recommended various assessment and treatment methods for the case described. Recommending assessment methods was not affected by the label hyperactive, and recommending psychostimulant medication was the only treatment method influenced by the label. The effect of labels appears to be minimal when overt behaviors, cognitive signs, and academic deficiencies of the child being assessed and treated are very explicit.