Psychology, Evaluation and Therapy for Children and Teens with ADHD and ADD
Children and adolescents who struggle with attention deficit require proper diagnosis so that an effective plan of action can be put into place. Although symptoms of ADD/ADHD can be difficult to deal with it is not an insurmountable task to develop the skills and structure necessary to achieve one’s personal potential. At Equilibria Kids we offer coaching, therapy and referral services geared toward helping the individuals we work with harness their strengths and develop the skills necessary to function successfully. All treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation to determine a proper diagnosis and to aid in individualized treatment planning. The symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) include:
- Inattention: Having a short attention span and being easily distracted
- Impulsivity: Behaviors that seem to be spontaneous without much thought, which can cause a person to do dangerous things without much throught for the consequences.
- Hyperactivity: Inappropriate or excessive activity.
Although most people experience one or more of these types of behaviors throughout their lifetime, some people experience them to such a degree that it becomes difficult to function effectively across different situations (e.g., school, home, social situations). This group of symptoms can impact children and adolescents and usually looks different depending on the individual’s age:
Preschool Aged Children:Since inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity are expected behaviors of preschool children, it is often hard to identify in young children. Usually, the distinguishing factor from normal behavior is the severity and consistency, across settings, of the symptoms.
Elementary School Children:Since there are more expectations placed on elementary school children (e.g., being able to complete homework, working with others, sitting still and listening in class), ADHD symptoms tend to be more noticeable among this age group. Often children with these problems have trouble achieving in school, may have difficulty with peers, struggle with low self-esteem because of the academic and social difficulties, and may present with poor organizational and study skills.
Middle School/High School:Teenagers who present with ADHD often look very different than young children with ADHD, because they have learned to control their disruptive behaviors. However, teenagers who have not learned the strategies to cope with the other aspects of ADHD (such as inattention and impulsivity) may demonstrate significant decline in their ability to manage their responsibilities in school and subsequently may struggle with self-esteem, and possibly social, problems. As increased demands and pressure are placed on the high school student (e.g., college, issues related to self-efficacy), anxiety and depression may emerge. Proper diagnosis, treatment and coaching are invaluable for children and teens who suffer from symptoms of ADHD. Learning strategies to deal with problems of inattention and developing skills to manage problems with impulsivity and hyperactivity can be life changing. Treatment may mean the difference between feeling effective as a student and feeling inadequate.
If your child is suffering from ADD/ADHD symptoms, we can help.