Psychological/ADHD Assessments for Children

When does my child need to have an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessment completed?

• Are you concerned about your child's behavior and aren't able to understand him/her?
• Do you think your child may have attention- deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Signs & Symptoms of ADHD

1. Me, Me, Me- an inability to recognize other people's needs and desires. May interrupt others, doesn't take turns, makes own rules.
2. Emotional Turmoil- may have difficulty keeping emotions in check. May have outbursts of anger at inappropriate times or temper tantrums.
3. Fidgets & Squirms- often can't sit still. May try to get up, run around, or fidgets or squirms in chair when forced to sit.
4. Unfinished Tasks- may be interested in many things but has difficulty completing tasks they started.
5. Lack of Focus- may have trouble paying attention, even when being spoken to directly. Say they heard you, but won’t be able to repeat back to you what you just said.
6. Careless Mistakes- difficulty following instructions that require planning or executing a plan.
7. Day Dreamer- some children with ADHD are quieter and less involved than other kids. A child with ADHD may stare into space, constantly daydream, and ignore what's going on around them.

What is Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting children, teens, and adults. ADHD affects 10 percent of all school-age children and symptoms first begin in childhood, continuing throughout the lifespan to varying degrees. Children with ADHD may be hyperactive and unable to control their impulses and/or they may have trouble sustaining their attention and are easily distracted. They often do understand what is expected of them but have difficulty following through. Of course, most children experiences such difficulties at times, but the difference is that children with ADHD experience these struggles chronically.

Why is it important to get assessed for ADHD?

Often times, children with undiagnosed ADHD are viewed as being unmotivated, lazy, unintelligent, or oppositional. Their struggles may not be understood by their teachers or parents. If you see the previously listed signs in your children, it is important to get them assessed by a psychologist.

The goal of diagnosis and treatment is to help children and teenagers be more effective in their day to day lives and reduce the level at which their ADHD interferes with getting things done. By treating ADHD directly, children can learn to understand the condition and develop strategies for success. Treatment could entail: medication, cognitive behavioral (play) therapy, and psychoeducation about ADHD.