Hyperkinetic Syndrome and Disruptive Early Experiences

Abstract
Five children aged 8–10 years presenting to child psychiatric clinics with hyperkinetic syndrome and severe disruptive early experiences are described. At referral all had been living in stable families for a minimum of four years. Biological risk factors were absent. It is proposed that the disruption of early attachments resulted in ill-regulated search and exploratory behaviour and that this had a continuing effect on the children's ability to focus and control attention skills and motor behaviour.