If your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms which are causing problems at home or at school, early intervention can help.
While it is normal and common for children to occasionally forget their homework, daydream during class and act without thinking, ADHD is more than the occasional lapse. Persistent problems with inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity are also signs of ADHD which can affect a child’s ability to learn and socialise with others.
Symptoms of ADHD can include hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggression, difficulty sustaining attention, disruptions to learning and peer relations, among others. Children with ADHD can exhibit some or all of these behaviours, arranged under three general categories:
- Inattention: Making careless errors, having difficulty concentrating, experiencing challenges in organising tasks, losing things and getting easily distracted.
- Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Often fidgeting or restless, talking to excess, being noisy and loud, blurting out answers, being impatient in turn-taking and interrupting others.
- Combined: This is the most common type of ADHD. Children fit the criteria for this type if they have symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types.
Our assessment process
Generally, an assessment will follow the process below.
- Initial meeting with the parents. This meeting is to discuss concerns, strengths and challenges and includes information about the assessment process (60 minutes).
- Meeting with the child. During this session we will explore their personal perceptions of their strength and challenges. We will discuss any concerns they have and let them know what to expect during the assessment process (60 minutes).
- Assessments completed by parents, teachers and children aged 8 and above.
- Analysis of results and report writing by the psychologist.
- Feedback of report to parents (50 minutes)
Assessment tools
We use the Conners 3® assessment tool to diagnose ADHD. This is a reliable and dependable tool designed to measure a range of behaviours in children from 6 to 18 years of age. Conners 3® uses multiple rated scales to assess ADHD concerns such as inattention, hyperactivity and related issues such as aggression.
It is useful for planning and monitoring treatment plans. Since the process involves assessments with the parents and teacher it can be used to gain different perspectives of the child’s condition, help target areas to address in treatment and guide decisions about specific behaviours requiring intervention.
Bookings
Complete the expression of interest form and one of our helpful team members will contact you to discuss your unique circumstances.