ADD/ADHD
Does your child seem to have trouble with focus and concentration? Do you have to repeat yourself over and over when giving even simple instructions? Has your child’s teacher reported he is disruptive in class or failing to perform at his academic ability level? Or is he always “on the go” and seems to be driven by a motor? These are some common behaviors seen in Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
ADD and ADHD affect 3-5% of all school-aged children, and is much more common in boys than girls. Research has indicated that ADD and ADHD may run in families, but the exact causes of the disorder are unknown.
The three broad symptom clusters seen in ADD and ADHD include:
- Inattentiveness: children with ADD and ADHD struggle with maintaining focus and concentrating on the task before them, and as a result frequently make careless mistakes, become easily distracted, do not seem to listen when spoken to, and have a hard time staying organized.
- Impulsivity: children with ADD and ADHD have difficulty waiting, taking turns, and following the rules of social interaction and conversation. Instead, they tend to blurt out answers inappropriately, interrupt others mid-sentence, grab items away from others, and so on.
- Hyperactivity: children with ADD and ADHD often appear to be “driven by a motor” and are always on the go. These children have difficulty sitting still in class or remaining seated through a meal. Other forms of hyperactivity include persistent fidgeting, wiggling, or talking excessively.
ADD and ADHD can take several forms: a primarily inattentive type or a combined type that involves various combinations of inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
Because ADD and ADHD symptoms are common to other diagnoses in children, such as depression, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities, it is important that a thorough assessment be conducted to arrive at a complete and accurate understanding of the child’s problems. At Great Lakes Psychology Group, we combine a thorough history and scientifically-validated assessment techniques that assess the presence of the most common symptoms of ADD and ADHD.
Once the diagnosis is established, a combination of medication and therapy has been shown to be most effective in managing the primary symptoms of ADD and ADHD.
If you suspect your child may have ADD/ADHD, call us at (800) 693-1916 for a free phone consultation, or use the links on this page to schedule an appointment, verify your insurance coverage, or ask a question.
