THE FACTS ABOUT ATTENTION/DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER.
Is There More Than One Type Of Attentional Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
There are three types of ADHD which include ADHD with predominately inattentive symptoms, with predominately hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, or with combined symptoms.
What Are Common Symptoms Of ADHD With Predominantly Inattentive Presentation?
This varies from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms include making frequent careless mistakes, difficulty sustaining attention especially when the task is perceived as boring or too challenging, difficulty following through on instructions and completing tasks, difficulty listening when spoken to directly, organizational and time management issues including time blindness and being easily distracted. People with inattentive ADHD are often described as being in their own world. They often lose things necessary for tasks or activities or forget to meet deadlines. Parents and teachers may get frustrated because the child completes assignments but doesn’t turn them in or has no idea what is due and when. They may be seen as daydreaming instead of completing tasks and as taking an incredibly long time to complete assignments. assignments. Adults may have trouble organizing their work area, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines.
What Are Common Symptoms Of ADHD With Hyperactivity And Impulsivity?
Although symptoms of more extreme movement and hyperactivity often dissipate in later adolescence and adulthood, individuals often fidget with things in front of them, and tap their hands or feet or squirm in their seats. They often leave their seats during class or meetings, talk excessively, have racing thoughts, and feel like they are driven by a motor. As younger children they tend to run about or climb in situations where it is inappropriate and can not play or talk quietly. They tend to hyperfocus on activities they enjoy and avoid activities they don’t. Symptoms of impulsivity may include risk taking behaviors without thought of possible consequences, blurting out thoughts, and interrupting others when they are speaking. They have difficulty waiting their turn and tend to be very impatient. Both children and adults may hyper-focus on one task and then lose interest. They tend to seem disorganized, messy, and at times obsessive about certain things.
Individuals with ADHD combined type have symptoms from both the inattentive and hyperactive presentations. If you or your child are exhibiting symptoms of ADHD give us a call at 561-769-9437 to schedule an evaluation.
What Is The Right Age To Get Myself or My Child Tested?
There really isn’t a right age because what can look like ADHD can be signs of many other related disabilities. Early intervention services are so important to help your child to meet their full potential so if they are missing milestones give us a call. It’s never too late either to get the answers you need to help you to meet your full personal, professional, and interpersonal potential.
What Is The Cost Of Testing?
That depends. If you have insurance, testing may be paid partially or in full by your insurance carrier. Kelly can give you that information when you call her at 561-769-9437. If you are paying privately the initial and follow-up sessions are 150 dollars and the testing is 1000 dollars unless extended testing is required. Kelly can discuss that with you when you give her a call.
What Is The Best Way To Diagnose ADHD In Children And Adults?
Although you can speak to your doctor or pediatrician about your symptoms, it is important to get a full evaluation by a psychologist that specializes in psychoeducational assessments for ADHD, because many other disorders present with similar symptoms. The evaluation will include an intelligence test such as the WISC-V or RIAS-2 , an achievement test such as the WJIV, a memory and attentional capacity test such as the WRAML-2, processing tests such as the TAPS-4 and the CTOPP 2, and parent surveys such as the CAT-C and BRIEF. Other tests may be added or eliminated based on the age and symptoms of the individual.
What Is The Process?
The first step is to give us a call at 561-769-9437 and set up an initial consultation, a date for the evaluation, and a follow-up appointment. If you have insurance, we will run your insurance and let you know if they will cover the testing and how much your patient responsibility is. Kelly our testing coordinator and behavioral specialist will send you paperwork through our portal for you to fill out. Some of it is just the typical paperwork and some of the forms ask more about the current symptoms you or your child are exhibiting.
On our initial call we will discuss your concerns and I will gather the information I need to decide what tests should be utilized and what specific symptoms we are looking for.
The testing appointment can be done in your home but if location or mobility are issues we can do the testing through Zoom. The testing usually takes between 3 and 5 hours depending on the age and the number of tests that need to be administered.
At the follow-up appointment we will discuss the results and you will receive a follow-up report that can be shared with your other medical providers, schools, and workplaces.
Are There Other Things To Rule Out When An Individual Is Experiencing Symptoms Of ADHD?
Both mental health and medical diseases may mimic ADHD, such as sleep disorders, thyroid disorders, and seizure disorders so it is important to speak to your physician to rule out those and other possible medical conditions. Our testing will be able to assess whether autism, learning disabilities, anxiety or mood disorders are present. In older adult’s attentional deficits may reveal age-related cognitive impairment or dementia which would need additional follow-up by a neurologist.
What If It’s More Than ADHD And I’ve Only Asked For ADHD Testing?
In our initial meeting we will discuss all of the symptoms you or your child are having to decide what testing we will do. We are prepared to give you an accurate diagnosis and have the skills and the testing materials needed to do that.
Are There Social Aspects of ADHD?
Both adults and children with ADHD may experience social awkwardness. They may not know how to appropriately engage in conversations without taking over or shrinking into the background. Individuals with inattentive ADHD often don’t speak up for themselves and may have difficulty making friends due to their difficulty engaging. Individuals with hyperactivity and impulsivity may have difficulty making friends due to their tendency to dominate conversations and to blurt out their honest thoughts and feelings even when they are hurtful. Difficulty with emotional regulation is common so individuals may experience tearfulness, high levels of anger and frustration, sadness and anxiety.
What Is Executive Functioning And How Is That Related To ADHD?
Executive functioning includes the behaviors necessary to effectively complete activities and tasks. Often individuals with ADHD have to be actively taught these skills which include organizing tasks and materials, shifting from one activity to another, initiating tasks, working memory, planning out assignments and prioritizing tasks, inhibiting impulses and emotional regulation.
What Happens If My Child Is Diagnosed with ADHD?
If your child is diagnosed with ADHD they will be eligible for a 504 plan under the category Other Health Impairment. If they have additional deficits such as learning disabilities or autism or other impairments such as a speech and language deficit they may qualify for an IEP. Only the school can create those documents so you will bring the report to the ESE contact at the school and they will set up a School Based Support Team Meeting where they will discuss goals, accommodations, and modifications that can be made to meet their needs.
Why Is It Important To Test Before College
Many people feel like if they have gotten through high school why look for services now, but that is far from the truth. The additional challenges of college may exacerbate symptoms of ADHD. With a diagnosis of ADHD you can get accommodations for both assignments and tests in class as well as for standardized tests such as the MCAT. LSAT, GRE, SAT, and ACT.
What If I Am Diagnosed With ADHD As An Adult?
That depends on why you are doing the testing. The report is yours to share as you choose. Some people just want answers they have long been waiting for. Others want accommodations at work to help them to achieve success. Others are going back to school or are in school and need accommodations for classes and tests. Others are doing the testing as part of a request for disability or following an accident or medical incident. Whatever your reason we will help you to navigate the process and will provide you a list of necessary accommodations and modifications to help you to meet with success.
Accommodations Verses Modifications
Accommodations change the environment in some way to help you or your child to more effectively utilize it. Some examples of accommodations include preferential seating, audiobooks, ability to take breaks, and speech to text technology. We will include an extensive list of possible accommodations to meet you or your child’s needs in the final report. A modification describes a change in the curriculum. Modifications are made for individuals with disabilities who are unable to comprehend the content. This can include shortening assignments, or presenting them in a way that makes them more accessible to the individual. These will be included in your final report as needed.
Additional Help And Resources
Give us a call at 561-769-9437 and let’s get started.
Helpful Tips For Parents
https://www.palmbeachschools.org/domain/402
https://www.browardschools.com/ese-support
Helpful Tips At Work
https://adata.org/factsheet/reasonable-accommodations-workplace
Helpful Tips At College
