EVALUATION AND TREATMENT
Diagnosis and treatment of ADHD is a comprehensive process in children involving collaboration of parents, teachers and experienced health professionals. Medical and family history, information provided by parents and teachers and for adults, significant others, through the use of certain questionnaires and clinical interviews, and administration of a brief continuous performance test (CPT) are all used to help determine if there is a true Attention Disorder. There are times when the symptoms reported might appear to be consistent with a diagnosis of ADHD but instead may be caused by anxiety, depression, or some other factor. These factors can also co-exist with a diagnosis of ADHD and are important to identify and address in the evaluation and treatment process. Similarly, individuals experiencing difficulty with attention sometimes exhibit problems with Executive Functioning and/or Sensory Procesing. Both of these areas are included in the ADHD evaluation, to better understand their impact on the individual’s overall day to day functioning.
The goal of our evaluation is to determine the underlying cause(s) of the current difficulties. If an Attention Disorder is diagnosed, information will be provided to help you best understand how your specific type of ADHD impacts your functioning in the school/work, and home environment. An individualized treatment plan will be developed, and may include recommendations for Counseling, Skills Training (Organizational, Social and/or Academic/Workplace), accommodations for the school/work environment, and a consult for medication. The ADHD Center for Success also provides ongoing support in the form of educational materials, Parent Support Groups, updated information accessible through our website, school consultations, and follow-up testing to assess the effectiveness of medication.
Modified Adult ADHD Evaluations are an option for adults who have often thought or wondered if they have ADHD but have never been formally assessed or diagnosed. Many times they realize this during the process of their child or adolescent receiving a diagnosis, or they encounter difficulties in their job or relationships after years of experiencing issues with focus, time management, procrastination, organizational issues or impulsivity. This evaluation is similar to our comprehensive evaluation however the report is a brief summary (3-4 pages vs 8-15) which can be used to share with a provider for medication for ADHD. This is intended for adults only (18+) and not for those looking for recommendations or accommodations for college. College/Graduate students looking for support for accommodations will typically choose the comprehensive evaluation, with the longer report and follow up session included. If you have questions please contact the center and speak with Dr. Rappaport. This evaluation does not include an assessment of Executive Functioning or a follow up session, however one may be scheduled at any time in the future for an additional fee.
