• - Hyperactive-Impulsive subscale of the Conners Rating Scale-Revised completed at baseline and at each week of the drug trial. - Clinician's Global Improvement completed at baseline and at each week of the drug trial. [ Time Frame: 3 to 4.5 months ]
  

• -Hyperactive subscale of the Nisonger-Child Behavior Rating Form. -Children's Global Assessment Scale -Weekly side effect ratings and safety measures -Behavioral observation -Neuropsychological executive functions -Childhood Autism Rating Scale [ Time Frame: 3 to 4.5 months ]
  

Currently, there is no systematic empirical information to guide the use of methylphenidate (a common brand name is Ritalin) to treat symptoms of ADHD in young children with Autistic Disorder/Asperger's Disorder/Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified/Developmental Disorders. Preliminary data from a recent study of ADHD in young children suggest that methylphenidate may be useful in children with developmental disorders (DD). The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of methylphenidate to treat ADHD symptoms in young children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) or Developmental Disorders (DD).

All subjects will be screened for eligibility inclusion and exclusion criteria. All concurrent non-pharmacological therapies will be stabilized for a minimum period of 2 weeks prior to the child's entry into the drug phase of the study. At each medication follow-up visit, a detailed history will be obtained and recorded for all concurrent treatments. If a child enrolls in this study, his/her participation will last approximately 3 to 4½ months with 12-18 outpatient daytime visits.

Screening assessment: The child's parent and teacher/daycare provider, if applicable, will need to complete some forms that describe the child's problems with overactivity, impulsivity and inattention. If these forms indicate that the child may have ADHD the investigator will schedule outpatient-screening assessments. The research staff will evaluate the child to see if s/he has a Developmental Disorder (DD) or PDD and ADHD. Each child will receive a developmental assessment, and each parent will be interviewed about his or her child's behavior. The child's teacher will be given several rating forms to complete. The parents will be asked to complete some questions about the child's development. Both parents (if available) will be interviewed about their family histories. Some of the screening assessments will be videotaped/audiotaped. Each child will have a physical examination, an electrocardiogram (EKG), a urine test and a blood test. The doctor will ask the parents about his or her child's medical history.

Medication phase: After screening assessments are completed, the child will enter the medication phase of the study. Each child will first have a step-wise single-blind titration of MPH to determine his/her best dose followed by a double-blind crossover trial with placebo and the child's best dose. The order of active drug and placebo will be randomized across the sample so that half the children will first receive MPH for 2 weeks and the other half will first receive placebo for 2 weeks. The children will receive the alternative drug condition (placebo or the child's best dose) for the next 2 weeks.

The child and his/her parents will come back each week for a clinic visit. At each visit the child's height, weight, blood pressure and pulse will be checked. The child's parents and teacher/daycare provider, if applicable, will be asked to complete some rating scales every week.