What is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Owens et al. (2020) provide the following definition:

“ADHD is a chronic neurobehavioral disorder characterized by developmentally inappropriate symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that create impairment in functioning” (p. 94).

Owens et al. (2020) note:

Symptoms of ADHD typically manifest in early childhood and typically persistent throughout adulthood

Children with ADHD may have problems such as:

  • Talking out of turn
  • Interrupting conversations
  • Getting up out of their seat at school
  • Trouble staying focused
  • Starting, then forgetting to complete chores or other projects
  • Forgetting to do things or losing things that they need for school

Best Practice Assessment for ADHD

From Barkley (2015), and reviewed more recently by Owens et al. (2020), a best practice assessment for ADHD involves:

  • Completion of a parent interview to obtain developmental, medical, family, treatment, and school history. We complete this during your child or teen’s initial intake
  • Completion of a broad-band semi structured interview for a range of child and adolescent DSM-5 disorders. We do this interview separately with parents and with children or teens coming for the evaluation.
  • Completion of broad-band parent rating scales and ADHD/behavior specific rating scales
  • Completion of broad-band teacher rating scales and ADHD/behavior specific rating scales with parental consent
  • Completion of a brief teacher interview with parental consent. This brief interview focuses on the child or teen’s presenting problems at school and teacher observations.
  • Completion of an IQ test by the child or teen

Evidence Based Treatment for ADHD

Research has generally supported a combination of stimulant medication and behavioral interventions for treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents. Dr. Walker is a clinical psychologist, and clinical psychologists do NOT have prescription privileges in Virginia. As a general rule, if your child or teen is diagnosed with ADHD, we recommend consulting with your pediatrician or a psychiatrist to determine if medication would be helpful in addressing inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a gold standard, evidence based form of parent training in behavioral interventions for treatment of symptoms of ADHD in children. Dr. Walker is certified in PCIT. We offer PCIT through the Teleios PCIT clinic both in person and virtually.

Reference:

Barkley, R. A. (2015). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Owens, J., Evans, S. W. Margherio, S. M. (2020). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In E. A. Youngstrom, M. J. Prinstein, E. J. Mash, & R. A. Barkley (Eds) Assessment of disorders in childhood and adolescence (Fifth Edition). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Learn More About PCIT