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ADHD EVALUATIONS

Comprehensive Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (or ADHD) evaluations offer guidance, clarity, and insight to families that might be struggling. NeuropsyBrooklyn offers comprehensive and compassionate evaluations with an experienced neuropsychologist. 

What is ADHD?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (or ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that interferes with a child's development and their ability to concentrate or control their impulses. Some children may exhibit symptoms of ADHD prior to age 5.

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There are three types of ADHD that a child can be diagnosed with: 

  • Primarily Inattentive Type: Easily distracted, frequent day dreaming, losing homework, forgetting instructions, or consistently misplacing things.

  • Primarily Hyperactive/Impulsive Type: Frequently interrupting conversation or shouting things in class, restless or constant fidgeting, difficulty completing tasks, struggles to follow rules or behaviorally disruptive in school, at home, or in public. 

  • Combined Type: A combination of inattentive and hyperactivity symptoms.

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Determining a Diagnosis

When your child doesn't feel confident in school or they have become more socially isolated due to their behavior - most caregivers want to alleviate that pain as quickly as possible. Finding out what is going on underneath it all can involve everything from doctors visits, labwork, referrals, and testing. 

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The reason an ADHD diagnosis can be complex is due to the number of medical and mental health disorders that share common symptoms. The best way to target the problem is through a comprehensive evaluation with an experienced neuropsychologist.

Medical conditions that can mimic ADHD include:

  • Vision, Hearing, or Sensory Impairments

  • Thyroid Disease

  • Sleep Apnea

  • Severe Vitamin Deficiencies

 

Mental health disorders that can mimic ADHD include:

  • Autism

  • Oppositional Defiance Disorder

  • Anxiety

  • Learning Disorders

What Causes ADHD?

There isn't one single cause of ADHD. ADHD research is evolving with new brain imaging technology and a wider population of people willing to participate in studies.​

​What we know is that ADHD is highly heritable, males tend to be diagnosed at a higher rate than females, there are significant differences in brain connectivity and structure in the ADHD brain versus a typical developing brain, and environmental factors can influence an ADHD diagnosis (ex: smoke exposure during pregnancy or premature birth).

How is ADHD diagnosed?

There is not one single test for ADHD. Every individual experiences ADHD a bit differently, which is why comprehensive testing with a qualified neuropsychologist is the gold standard for diagnosing ADHD. 

 

ADHD assessments can last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. If accommodations are needed, NeuropsyBrooklyn will make every effort to make the testing process seamless.

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A typical ADHD evaluation follows this structure:

Initial Clinical Interview

  • If relevant medical, school, or mental health records are available - please bring those to the appointment. 

 

  • To get to know your child, we'll ask questions regarding family history, past medical and mental health treatment, history of developmental milestones, educational and academic background, and current concerns.

Testing Process 

  • Depending on the specifics of each case - a battery of standardized tasks and questionnaires are chosen to assess reasoning, memory, attention, processing speed, academic skills, and social-emotional functioning (e.g., anxiety, depression, adaptive skills).

Report and Feedback

  • Assessments are scored and interpreted by our neuropsychologist and a written report will provide a comprehensive picture of how your child or teen moves within the world and how they are functioning. 

 

  • The report will include relevant background information, testing results, a review of their core strengths and learning style, as well as a diagnosis and recommendations for support. 

 

  • The feedback session is a great time to ask questions and discuss next steps.

Scheduling an ADHD Evaluation

Our ADHD evaluations are always collaborative, compassionate, and comprehensive. Scheduling an evaluation at NeuropsyBrooklyn with our Board Certified licensed neuropsychologist is easy! Contact us today for a free consultation. To contact us by phone please call: 347-766-8232. 

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