Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Why do you want cognitive testing for my child?

• Cognitive testing, sometimes called IQ assessment, is not done to determine how "smart" people are.  We believe that people are intelligent in many different ways.
• Instead, cognitive assessments help practitioners determine how different parts of the brain are functioning.  In ADHD, working memory and processing speed are often areas of challenge.  Cognitive assessments measure these areas and help give parents an understanding of their child's strengths and challenges and how these might impact learning.

Do you prescribe?

• No, only medical doctors can prescribe.  Sometimes pediatricians who specialize in ADHD will prescribe, once they have a diagnosis.  If not, we or your pediatrician can refer you to someone who specializes in ADHD medical management.

If my child takes medications, are they more likely to become addicted to drugs later?

• No, actually the opposite has been shown to be true.  People who are not adequately treated for their ADHD will often "self-medicate".  This can include marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine.   

My child can focus on their legos (art/music/TV/video games, etc) for hours.  Therefore they do not have ADHD, right?

• Children with ADHD have troubles *regulating* their attention.  They may alternate between being hyper-focused on activities they love or under focused on activities that are "boring" or challenging.  While that can be true of most of us, the key is to look at when it is a challenge more than typical peers.  
• Activities that children with ADHD find interesting, actually help stimulate the neurotransmitters that are usually dysregulated.  In a sense, it is "self-medicating", so focus lasts longer.  
• It is important to remember that people with ADHD fluctuate between normal focus, hyper focusing, and under focusing many times a day and even in an hour.  This disorder would be more accurately called Attention Regulation Disorder.