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  • The ADHD Evaluation and Treatment Program

    Comprehensive ADHD/Anxiety Evaluation and Diagnosis for Children and Adults

    Serving all of New York in-person or via telehealth!

    Is your child struggling at school, in peer relationships or with behavior at home? 

    Are you an adult finding it difficult to keep up with household responsibilities, finances, or childcare in a way that works and feels good to you?

    A Therapist’s Guide to an ADHD Diagnosis

    Not sure where to start to get you or your child evaluated for ADHD?

    On a long waitlist and want to jump-start the process?

    Check out our FREE organizational guide to an ADHD Diagnosis!

    What is ADHD?

    Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is an overall challenge with self-regulation that interferes with functioning. Our current guidelines for ADHD come from the DSM-5-tr, or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. The DSM classifies ADHD in 3 different presentations: Inattentive Presentation, Impulsive/Hyperactive Presentation, or Combined Type (Inattentive and Impulsive/Hyperactive). 

    Neurodivergent

    Unlike the name suggests, ADHD is more accurately explained as a dysregulation of attention; the brain has difficulty paying attention to what it is supposed to pay attention to when it is supposed to pay attention to it, and for how long it is supposed to pay attention. Individuals with this type of attention challenge often have difficulty with attention (persistence) toward the future.  

    Neurodivergence is the idea that there is no "normal brain", but many types of difference (diverse) brains, and that neurodivergents' brains are not inherently pathological or disordered. "Neurodivergent" is an identity that people can choose for themselves. 

    Here at this practice, we fully support neurodivergents and the neurodivergence movement as we believe and know that all experiences are valid. We also know that living in this neurotypical world as a neurodivergent (ADHD, ASD, OCD, Dyslexia, Tourette's, Bipolar, etc.) can be very challenging and might benefit from the additional supports and most importatly, understanding, that come with a proper diagnosis. 

    Brain Based Differences

    With ADHD brains, scientists have learned that there is a deficiency in the neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. Norepinephrine comes from a molecule called dopa, which is converted into dopamine, and then into norepinephrine.

    Studies have shown that there are differences in certain areas of the brain in individuals with ADHD, namely: The prefrontal cortex, the limbic system, basil ganglia, and the reticular activating system. Not everyone will have differences with all 4 areas of the brain, but since they all work together, differences in just 1 area can result in difficulties for the individual. 

    Symptoms of ADHD

    While individuals with ADHD can have distinctly different sets of strengths and weaknesses, there are some overarching similarities that must be present often enough to cause a functional impairment. 

    Inattentive Presentation: Difficulty with regulating attention, makes careless mistakes, forgetful in daily activities, does not seem to listen, difficulty following through on chores or responsibilities, difficulty with organization, easily distracted.

    Impulsive/Hyperactive Presentation: Fidgety or restless, feel like they are often "on the go", talks excessively, interrupts others or blurts out answers, difficulty waiting their turn and staying seated when staying seated is expected

    Combined Presentation: Currently meets criteria for both of the above types

    Myths and Misunderstandings

    Individuals with ADHD are NOT: 

    Dumb, lazy, need to try harder, bad/naughty, only boys, only hyperactive, able to always "outgrow" it, a result of "bad parenting", over-diagnosed, over-medicated, only a disorder of childhood, destined to have substance abuse disorders.

    Individuals with ADHD CAN:

    Focus on some things (sometimes really well!), succeed, find strengths, get support, be gifted in other areas, feel good about themselves, learn to handle emotions better, have fulfilling relationships, accomplish their dreams, be ok JUST as they are! 

    What's Included in ADHD Evaluations?

    In-Person or Live Telehealth Appointments available (NYS only)

    -Screening and Registration 

    -2-3 Evaluation Sessions with ADHD specialist 

    -Collateral contact (school, primary care doctor, significant others etc.)

    -ADHD or Anxiety-specific questionnaires

    -Feedback Session: Review of results plus recommendations. Whether diagnosed with ADHD or not, we aim to send you off with helpful information and recommendations for your next steps.

    ADHD/Anxiety Related Questionnaires & Screenings

    Questionnaires and screenings are individualized based on presenting concerns:

    For Children and Adolescents:

    • SNAP IV-26, Teacher & Parent Rating Scale
    • Behavior Assessment System for Children, Third Edition (BASC3)
    • Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF2)
    • Reynold’s Intellectual Screening Test, Second Edition (RIST2)
    • Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS)
    • PTSD Scale and Child Dissociative Checklist (CDC), Version 3
    • Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) 

    For Adults:

    • The Adult Self-Report ADHD Scale (ASRS, V1.1)
    • The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7)
    • The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
    • The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)
    • PTSD Scale and Dissociative Experiences Scale, II
    • Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Adult (BRIEF-A)
    • Reynold’s Intellectual Screening Test, Second Edition (RIST2)
    • DSM Symptom and Personality Screeners
    • Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale
    • Wender-Utah Rating Scale
    Treatment for ADHD

    Whether you are being evaluated through our program or received an evaluation through a different program, we have many treatment options available:

    -Affirming individual therapy (helpful for those with additional mental health concerns or a history of shame or trauma associated with ADHD)

    -Parent Education

    -School accommodations recommendations

    Medication Management, if appropriate

    Request more information now!

    Medication Management for ADHD

    According to ADHD expert, Dr. Russell Barkley, MD, the best package to reduce ADHD symptoms involves:

    • 1) Diagnosis
    • 2) Education (Understanding!)
    • 3) Medication
    • 4) Accommodation
    • 5) Modification

    -Medication Evaluations with our Certified ADHD Specialist- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Kelly Dorman, NPP

    -Not interested in medication management or medications have given you too many side effects? Talk to us about non-medication treatment options for ADHD.

    Payment Options

    -Payment is made at the time of service, as each step progresses; NO lump sums! Please inquire through email for the pricing grid, which outlines all the steps.

    -We can stop or pause the evaluation process at different points, if appropriate. If there are significant concerns that require a referral to another provider or treatment modality, we will alert you as soon as possible. Pricing is then locked in for 3 months following the most recent appointment so you can return to the evaluation process at a later date.

    We are Out-Of-Network with all insurance companies. A payment outline will be provided to you prior to beginning the evaluation with information and insurance codes so you can check your benefits.

    We cannot guarantee reimbursement, however, we will work with you as best we can to help you get any reimbursement you can from insurance companies.

    *Please inquire for more information regarding fees and payment options

    FAQ's

    1) Why can’t my doctor or my child’s pediatrician diagnose ADHD? Answer: They can! Many doctors are an excellent place to start for concerns around ADHD or Anxiety. Sometimes physicians or nurse practitioners might want a more detailed assessment or might have questions around possible co-occurring diagnoses, so they refer their patients to an outside mental health provider or psychologist.

    2) We suspect Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD, would your practice still be able to provide an evaluation? Answer: If you have concerns regarding ASD, we can still provide you with an ADHD evaluation and also provide an ASD screening. As diagnosing clinicians, we are qualified to diagnose ASD, however some presentations may be complicated by other factors that would be better suited for social cognition testing, learning disorder testing, etc. in order to be confident in the diagnosis. If that is the case, you’ll want to look for a licensed Psychologist to perform the appropriate testing. We can help guide you on this path, if necessary.

    3) We are concerned that our child has a learning disability, can you help us with that? Answer: While we can screen for some intellectual and learning disabilities, your child’s school is the best place to start a discussion regarding possible learning disabilities. If, during the course of our evaluation, we suspect there might be the presence of a learning disability, we will communicate that to you ASAP and guide you in the right direction, however we are not able to diagnose specific learning disabilities.

    4) I am an adult and think I might have ADHD, is it too late to seek a diagnosis? Answer: No! It is never too late to seek the proper medical care. If you are over the age of 65, we may recommend a neurological consultation first, to rule out any normal age-related brain changes or non-age related brain changes.

    5) I am scared that if we receive an ADHD diagnosis, someone will force me or my child to take medication. Answer: A diagnosis is a set of criteria that explains what is happening in your or your child’s life and can guide treatment. Treatment for ADHD includes education, awareness, accommodation and modification of the environment and sometimes medication. ADHD medications have been researched for a long time, are safe and highly effective, but some people opt to not take them or some people cannot tolerate the side effects.

    No one should force ADHD medication upon you or your child, but please, get educated first-there are a lot of myths out there about ADHD medications. You deserve to know all your treatment options so you can make an informed choice in your care or your child’s care.

    6) I am scared to have the label of ADHD for me or my child. Won’t people have negative judgements or will my child think there is something wrong with them? Answer: We cannot promise that no one will judge you or your child. Our hope is that individuals come away from this process with more understanding, patience, compassion and acceptance for themselves and their loved ones. Often times if we do not give the proper “label”, like ADHD, individuals can end up “labeling” themselves as “bad, lazy, stupid, annoying, weird”, or worse. Sometimes the proper mental health terminology actually frees the individual to be themselves!

     

    ADHD Evaluations & Treatment

    Welcome to our ADHD Evaluation Program, we are so glad you’ve found us! Our program is comprehensive and will help you to rule out other concerns you might have for yourself or your child. ADHD can be a complicated clinical diagnosis for some; it cannot always be quickly diagnosed with 1 questionnaire or screening form.

    Some issues can mimic ADHD symptoms; things like learning disabilities, head trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and some medical factors, and many others. Additionally, ADHD is often accompanied by other issues such as anxiety, learning disabilities, dyslexia, sensory issues, autism, etc. Sometimes these issues are diagnosed early on but the ADHD component is missed, which can be a barrier to achieving personal goals, increased understanding and compassion.

    You Deserve A Careful Evaluation!

    With our help, we can guide you to make important decisions about your care, including if we believe you might require a higher level of testing with a psychologist, be better served by first having educational testing at school, or have a neuropsychological evaluation with a team of experts. These are not always necessary for an ADHD diagnosis, but can prove useful in some situations. Please see our Guide for more information on this topic!

    If that is the case, we will assist you with these referrals as best we can. We want you to receive comprehensive care, even if it is not with us!

    Meet Kelly our Medication Management Provider!

    Kelly Dorman, NPP is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She has 11+ years of nursing experience and is also an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider. Kelly is well experienced in medication treatment for ADHD in all populations and specializes in ADHD treatment in girls, women and females-assigned-at-birth. We couldn’t be more proud to have her on our team!

    What is an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider?

    30+ Hours of training from leading experts in the field!

    Topic Areas Include:

    • Non-Medication Interventions
    • Evidence Based Medications and Treatment
    • Executive Functioning in the Classroom
    • Differences with other issues such as Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum and Mood Disorders
    • ADHD in Adults

    ADHD