ADHD Testing in Children and Teens
Many parents have questions about their child’s attention and ability to focus. For example, is the child simply creative and an “out-of-the-box” thinker, or is he really struggling more than other children? Paying attention is a complex task that involves different parts of the brain, including the executive functions. Everyone can have trouble paying attention or staying organized at one time or another, but when these problems persist for a long period of time and start interfering with daily life, it can become frustrating and overwhelming.
ADHD is a brain-based condition that affects about 8-10% of school-aged children. It is manifested by:
- poor attention, which may look like forgetfulness or daydreaming
- lack of self-control, frequently interrupting others, creating disruptions, and acting impulsively
- being distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds
- problems with organization / planning
- jumping from task to task or not being able to complete them
- excessive body movements, fidgeting, and squirming
- difficulty following through with responsibilities
If these symptoms are left untreated, ADHD can lead to frustration with school performance, low self-esteem, and poor social relationships. Since so many factors impact our ability to focus and may look like ADHD, diagnosing this condition is a challenging task. Therefore, a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation is the first step to rule out other factors that may ‘look like ADHD’ so that your child gets the appropriate support.
We offer short ADHD evaluations when this is the only area of concern, to optimize your time and resources. In other cases, a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment is the first step in determining whether ADHD is present, and in ruling out other potential causes of attention difficulties.
If you have questions about our services or like to schedule a consultation with one of our neuropsychologists, please call (248) 644-9466 or email us through the form on our contact page.
