ADD/ADHD

ATTENTION DEFICIT/
HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

Many parents have concerns that their children may have symptoms suggestive of Attention Deficit Disorder/Hyperactivity. In fact ADD/ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral condition in children, affecting 6-11% of school-aged children.

All of our physicians have expertise in diagnosing and treating ADD/ADHD and will assist you in determining whether your child's symptoms meet the necessary diagnostic criteria.

Before scheduling an office consultation we recommend that you read some of the information available through the AAP and CHADD web sites.

As a part of our assessment of children with attention problems, we use the "Vanderbilt Assessment Scale" questionnaire. This is a screening tool--not a diagnostic test--to help us clarify the nature of the problem. Our office can supply you with these forms via fax or mail, or you can click on the links below to download a copy and then mail, fax or bring it to the office to help expedite your child's doctor appointment. Be sure to use the form labeled "Initial Assessment" if your child is being evaluated for the first time for attention problems. We insist that it be filled out by both parents independantly. The "Follow-up" form is used for follow-up or "re-check" appointments after a child has been diagnosed and may be on treatment for ADD or ADHD.

BOOKS

We recommend the following books:

1) ADHD, 2nd edition, What Every Parent Should Know.

Our favorite which is published by the Academy of Pediatrics

Available at : http://ebooks.aap.org/catalog/show/parent+resources/16

2) Putting on the Breaks.

3) Shelley, The Hyperactive Turtle. Woodbine House.

4) Otto Learns About His Medicine, Magination Press.

5) I Would if I Could. A Teenagers Guide to ADHD. GSI Publications.

6)Teenagers With ADD - A Parent's Guide. 1995. Woodbine House

USEFUL ARTICLES:

The following "What We Know" sheets were developed by the National Resource Center to provide up to date information regarding the treatment and the more successful strategies for children and adults with ADHD. You can download them at: http://www.help4adhd.org/en/about/wwk

Basic Fact: What every parent should know before starting their child on medications:

http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK3.pdf