Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is a mental disorder that affects how you behave, think, and feel. It is characterized by problems with focus, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. One common misunderstanding about ADHD is that a child must be hyperactive. Another misunderstanding about ADHD is if your child can focus on some things, like video games or reading their favorite book, then they don’t have a focus problem. ADD is better described as an attention regulation problem, especially for things that are not intrinsically interesting or motivating to your child. We are not talking about his ability to concentrate on fun things, it’s the things like homework, getting started, and maintaining focus on it, that causes the trouble. You may have seen signs that your child was having difficulties during COVID-19 remote school. Now is the time to determine if your child is struggling with attention regulation, and learning what solutions you can provide for her. 

There are three main types of ADHD: inattentive type (symptoms include being easily distracted and having trouble focusing), hyperactive-impulsive type (symptoms include being overly active and acting impulsively), and combined type (a combination of the first two types).

ADHD can also occur along with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression. We often see that after many years of negative messages from teachers, peers, and others, your child may begin to show signs of anxiety or low mood. They start to feel less than, because no matter what they do, it never seems to be enough. They try, but they lose their focus, procrastinate, or forget everyday about everyday tasks and priorities. 

-Does your child have trouble paying attention to tasks?

-Does he often fidget or squirm when sitting still?

-Does she find it hard to stay organized?

-Is she easily distracted by things around her?

-Does he have trouble planning and getting started on projects?

-Does she get sidetracked from one project to another so that tasks take longer than they should?

-Does your child avoid or dislike things requiring sustained mental effort, such as schoolwork or homework?

-When doing something boring, does she often lose focus after a few minutes and start daydreaming?

-Does he have trouble controlling his emotions and behavior?

-Do people often tell you that she talks too much or interrupts them a lot?

-Does he impulsively buy things, eat unhealthy foods, or make decisions without thinking them through first?

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, there are a number of things you can do to help him succeed in school and life. Here are some tips:

– Work with your child’s teachers to create a personalized learning plan 

– Make sure she gets plenty of exercise and has a healthy diet 

– Help him learn how to manage his time and set goals 

Seek a professional such as a Burlingame neuropsychologist who specializes in natural treatments that can help your child train their brain and learn how to focus, plan, and organize

– Encourage her to get involved in extracurricular activities in Burlingame

– Help him stay organized and track their progress 

– Seek counseling or therapy if needed.

There is no one way to treat ADHD, and the best treatment plan will vary from person to person. Some common treatments include neurofeedback, cognitive skills training, executive function training, medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.

People often mistake ADHD testing as a process to diagnose an individual with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Although it is one part of the diagnostic process, there are actually several other steps that should be taken in order for professionals to make sure they have all the information necessary before making their diagnosis. There are five different types of ADHD tests used by clinicians. The first is a clinical interview, which is used to gather information about the person’s symptoms and medical history. The second test is called a rating scale or questionnaire, which helps to measure ADHD symptoms. A third type of ADHD testing is neuropsychological assessment, which looks at how the individual’s brain functions. This can include measures of intelligence, academic achievement, and cognitive skills. The final type of ADHD testing is an quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG), which records the brain’s electrical activity and provides you with information about the ways in which your child is using his brain that is contributing to his symptoms. More importantly, a qEEG brain map will give you a window into the opportunities your child has to improve how she is using her brain. Taken together, this information is critical, because it will show you precisely how to help your child remove the barriers that are impeding her success.

ADHD is diagnosed by looking at a person’s symptoms and ruling out any other possible causes. To make a diagnosis, clinicians use the DSM-V criteria, which are guidelines for diagnosing mental health disorders. The five criteria for ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, problems with self-control, problems with attention, and problems with hyperactivity. Clinicians will look at the person’s symptoms and determine how many of these criteria are met. Notably, not all of these conditions need to be present to make a diagnosis. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to diagnosing ADHD. That is why we tailor each assessment to your child’s needs to give you the most in-depth understanding about his functioning and ways to help him. 

ADHD can be diagnosed as early as age four. However, ADHD can be difficult to diagnose in young children because their symptoms may not always stand out among those of other kids. This is why it’s important for parents and teachers to monitor a child’s behavior closely from an early age so they know if there are any signs that the child might have ADHD. A qEEG brain map can really help in the early diagnosis of ADHD. That is why we include them in our assessments whenever possible. When it is discovered at a young age, it is possible for your child to overcome their attention difficulties before they miss out on the majority of their education. When diagnosed later, we tend to see “holes” in their education, because they missed important details in their lectures and lessons. 

The benefits of ADHD testing are immense. Those with ADHD can be diagnosed earlier and treated, getting them back on the right path faster than ever before. The ability to diagnose early will help children begin treatment sooner so they don’t fall behind in school or miss out on other important milestones due to undiagnosed ADHD symptoms.

Another benefit to ADHD testing is that it can help adults with adult attention deficit disorder get the proper diagnosis and treatment. Many people go undiagnosed until adulthood, which means they may have been dealing with these challenges for years without knowing why or what to do about them. This could result in a lifetime of underachievement, problems with relationships, failures in school, missed promotions, and lost opportunities due to missed diagnoses.

When it comes to ADHD, early diagnosis is key. If you or someone you know may be suffering from ADHD symptoms, don’t hesitate to get tested at our ADHD Burlingame center – the benefits could be life-changing.

Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of ADHD should be evaluated by a neuropsychologist, or healthcare professional trained in brain behavior relationships and brain mapping. Symptoms can vary from person to person, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis. If left untreated, ADHD can interfere with daily life activities and cause problems in relationships, school, or work. Early diagnosis and treatment is the best way to manage ADHD symptoms.