Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity).

Children who have symptoms of inattention may:*

• Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another
• Have difficulty focusing on one thing
• Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless they are doing something enjoyable
• Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new
• Have trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities
• Not seem to listen when spoken to
• Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly
• Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others
• Struggle to follow instructions.

Children who have symptoms of hyperactivity may:

• Fidget and squirm in their seats
• Talk nonstop
• Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight
• Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time
• Be constantly in motion
• Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities.

Children who have symptoms of impulsivity may:

• Be very impatient
• Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences
• Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games
• Often interrupt conversations or others' activities.

If not treated, ADD/ADHD can lead to significant learning and behavior problems that adversely impact a child's ability to succeed in school. Further, while ADD/ADHD is often talked about primarily in terms of its impact on learning, the condition is often associated with a range of social, interpersonal, and emotional difficulties. When properly diagnosed and treated, symptoms can be well-managed and cause a much reduced impact on the child's life.

Determining if a child has ADD/ADHD requires an extensive review of the child's developmental, psychosocial, and academic history. In addition to providing this review, the neuropsychological evaluation identifies the underlying cognitive factors associated with this syndrome. This is important because the cognitive difficulties associated with ADD/ADHD vary greatly from person to person. Understanding the way a child with ADD/ADHD thinks and learns allows for the development of a highly individualized intervention plan. For example, many children with ADHD have difficulty learning information when it is not clearly presented in an organized manner. For these children, learning interventions that maximize structure and organization can be particularly beneficial.

Similar to other types of neuropsychological evaluations described on this site, the evaluation results in the following:

• A comprehensive conceptualization of the student's areas of strength and weakness

• Recommendations for academic accommodations/modifications to be provided by the institution (if needed)

• An individualized learning strategy that maximizes the student's unique learning style

• A review of parenting strategies than can help to reduce tension in the home associated with a child's ADD/ADHD symptoms.

• Identification of potential barriers to success and strategies for addressing these concerns

• Recommendations for services by other educational, psychological, and healthcare providers (e.g. Counseling, tutoring services, consideration of pharmacological treatment).

Following completion of the evaluation, a comprehensive report is prepared.  When deemed useful by the patient or his/her family, the doctor will be available to review the evaluation results with personnel at the child's school.

For a free consultation, call (631)327-4330
or e-mail Dr. Lebowitz.

*Information source: NIMH