Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

What is ADHD?



Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention.  This common disorder can affect a child's academic performance, social interactions, behavior and ability to regulate emotions.  It is usually diagnosed in childhood but, occasionally, is not discovered until adulthood.  

How do you diagnose ADHD?

We use Vanderbilt (NICHQ Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Assessment) forms at this office to help with the diagnosis of ADHD.  The parents fill out a form and each teacher fills out a form.  Those forms are then scored by our office in order to help with the diagnosis. Not all cases are the same so there are times that we will need to do further testing to determine if your child has ADHD.  Sometimes we will refer you to a center that does more in depth testing for learning disorders.  

How do you treat ADHD?

The recommended treatment for ADHD usually includes medication and therapy.  The behavioral therapy includes parent training for the management of a child with ADHD.  This is most important in the patients that are preschool aged.  The treatment of children in the preschool age is more complicated and often we will co- manage those patients with a psychiatrist.  For the elementary aged children and adolescents we are able to manage most cases here in general pediatrics.  However, if there is a case that is not responding to treatment or has multiple comorbid conditions then we may still need to co-manage with a psychiatrist.  

The research has shown that treatment with a stimulant medication has the most effective results.  We will add more information below on the stimulant medications.  

What experience do you have in treating ADHD?

I completed additional training during residency with the developmental-behavioral pediatricians to learn as much as I could about ADHD management.  Childhood behavior was fascinating to me, and it was my favorite subject while in residency.  Having been diagnosed with ADHD myself, I have a special interest in the overall management of ADHD and similar co-morbid disorders.  I have been treating childhood ADHD for over 13 years now.  I continue to be intrigued by the neurobehavioral research and new discoveries regarding ADHD and its treatment.  

Coming soon:

The ins and outs of stimulant medications

Answering the most common questions about treatment of ADHD 

Dispelling parent's fears regarding ADHD and its management