Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children

Does your child struggle with concentration, constant fidgeting, organization, planning, and completing tasks? Do they struggle in these areas at school, home, and socially? If so, you might be wondering if your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and what your next steps should be.

WHAT IS ADHD?

• ADHD is psychological disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity that interferes with many aspects of children and adolescents lives.
• Affects 5% of children, and this number is higher in Kentucky.
• Typically seen more in males than females.
• While many children without ADHD occasionally struggle with inattention and impulsivity; children with ADHD almost always struggle with these symptoms with the effects seen across all aspects of functioning (i.e. at home, school, and socially).

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ADHD IN CHILDREN

• Difficulties initiating & completing schoolwork or tasks
• Poor concentration
• Irritability
• Poor attention span, easily distracted by outside stimuli
• Restlessness, excessive fidgeting, leaves assigned area
• Often blurts out answers, has a difficult time waiting for their turn
• Disorganization, often loses things
• Forgetful
• Doesn’t seem to listen when spoken to
• Poor school performance
• Mood swings

WHY HAVE YOUR CHILD EVALUATED?

A psychological assessment at Behavioral Wellness Clinic in Louisville provides objective data, diagnostic clarification, and treatment planning in order to best help your child/adolescent. As that many children display some symptoms characteristic of ADHD, it is important for a full psychological assessment be conducted prior to the initiation of treatment and or psychotropic medication. It is also important to rule out any other psychiatric condition such as mood or anxiety disorders that often have similar symptom presentations seen in ADHD.

OUR APPROACH TO ASSESSMENT

After scheduling an appointment at Behavioral Wellness Clinic you will meet with a clinical psychologist in order to begin the clinical interview component of the assessment. In this initial meeting background information and history is collected with both the parents and child. You should expect between 1-3 additional sessions after the initial session in which the psychologist will meet with your child’s teachers, observe your child in their classroom, conduct intellectual testing to determine cognitive ability, and various objective measures. Once the assessment has been completed and a diagnostic report has been written, the psychologist will meet with you to provide feedback. In this feedback session the psychologist will report relevant findings, provide treatment recommendations, and supply appropriate resources and information based on the findings in the assessment.

FEATURED ARTICLES

Read some featured articles from the BWCC Clinical Director, Dr. Monnica Williams at Psychology Today:

• When ADHD has Nowhere to Hide