ADHD
ADHD Evaluations and Management
ADHD can be challenging for patients and families alike, and proper treatment can be life-changing. Our board certified pediatricians and PAs offer 1 hour consultations for parents and children who are concerned about the possibility of ADHD. We take that extra time to fully evaluate all the possible reasons the child may be struggling, rather than jumping hastily to a diagnosis. We are very comfortable managing ADHD medication in children for whom it is indicated, typically without the need for outside consultation. We feel this would not be possible if not for our unique practice model allowing for extended appointment times.
The ultimate goal in the treatment of ADHD is to make your child as successful as possible in all aspects of his/her life.
What is ADHD?
Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD have differences in their brains than those who don’t have ADHD. Additionally, children with ADHD have imbalances in neural networks and neurotransmitters, the chemicals that nerves use to communicate.
Knowing that ADHD has a neurological basis is important because it helps parents understand that their child isn’t disobedient or oppositional on purpose. Instead, children with ADHD need help to learn to control their behavior.
ADHD FAQs
What are the Symptoms of ADHD?
ADHD symptoms fall into three categories: inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Some children may only struggle with inattention, while others have trouble with two or three categories.
Each child has a different range and severity of symptoms. However, their symptoms can be severe enough to affect their performance at school, at home, and when socializing.
When children struggle with inattention, they:
Can’t pay attention at school or while playing
Have difficulty organizing tasks
Avoid tasks requiring mental effort
Lose important items
Forget to do homework and chores
When children struggle with hyperactivity and impulsivity, they:
Fidget, squirm, or get out of their seat during class
Run or climb when it’s inappropriate
Talk excessively and interrupt conversations
Have a hard time waiting for their turn
Act or speak without thinking
Children and adolescents with ADHD also have problems with working memory. Working memory allows them to hold several pieces of information in their head long enough to use them to plan, do calculations, or to coordinate one activity with another.
How is ADHD Diagnosed and Treated?
To evaluate and diagnose ADHD, our professional team use tools such as a checklist of symptoms, talking with parents and children about their challenges, and questionnaires completed by parents and teachers. Your child also has a thorough physical exam to be sure another problem is not the cause of their symptoms.
Once your child has an ADHD diagnosis, their pediatrician at our office prescribes treatment and schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor their progress.
Your pediatrician may recommend conventional and/or holistic treatments, depending on each child’s needs. For example, your child may improve with a combination of medication, dietary changes, and behavioral support.
If you or your child’s teacher are concerned about your child’s inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive behaviors, call our office to schedule an ADHD evaluation.
