Evaluations For Children, Teenagers, and Adults
Children
Through this evaluation your child can be evaluated for ADHD, and have documented symptoms/a diagnosis in a written report. The report is used by their physician to treat these ADHD symptoms. The report can also be used by their school if they are in need of accommodations in the classroom. It can assist the teacher in developing specific coping strategies to attend to your child. It may not be recognized, but ADHD can frequently be present in the child’s parents, siblings, or extended family members. ADHD symptoms are not a sign of laziness, lack of intelligence or rebelliousness. Procrastination and irritability about homework is associated with a struggle – an inability to focus and/or sit still and complete their assignments in a reasonable amount of time. Attending to ADHD as early as possible is critical to your child’s success in many areas of life.
ADHD symptoms can show up differently in children than in teens or adults. Children may demonstrate more extreme symptoms of lack of focus, restlessness or hyperactivity, and impulsivity in speech or actions that are readily observable in the classroom and at home. Children can have primarily lack of focus, or primarily hyperactivity-impulsivity, or a combination of these. They may make good grades in all subjects except one or two areas, such as math or reading.
An inability to focus in reading is a significant concern as the child will be required to read more with each grade, in advanced classes, and particularly toward their college years. They may have difficulty with organization, finishing assignments or tests on time, getting things turned in at the right time, or losing things. Hyperactivity, such as an inability to sit still in the classroom/home, or being impulsive in speech or actions can impact the quality of the child’s relationships with others. Your child may be physical with other children due to the need for movement or intrude in activities in ways which are unwelcome. They may not understand the consequences of their actions such as rejection of others as they are unable to think ahead of time.
For Teenagers and Adults
Note: If you are an FSU college student and primarily in need of medication, you can utilize this evaluation to obtain medication through a physician at the University Health Center, or through another physician, which can be recommended here. If you are a college student in need of accommodations, FSU requires the diagnosis by a psychologist. We have a psychologist onsite, Dr. Holly Schilling. She can be reached at the 552-0691 office number. This psychologist evaluation for ADHD, required for FSU students in need of accommodations, runs approximately $850. The cost of the ADHD evaluation through Behavioral Health Solutions is $375 (without insurance).
Teens and adults may exhibit more subtle symptoms of ADHD which are not readily identifiable by parents, spouses, or teachers, etc. Frequently the teenagers are required to do more reading, and have a more challenging workload if they are in advanced classes. So they may be demonstrating more anxiety or irritability, as described below, rather than identifying or discussing a lack of focus. Adults may be required to do more detailed work at their job, such as computer work, or may “max out” with too many responsibilities as children come along, too many things to juggle, etc. In terms of hyperactivity teens and adults can develop coping strategies in the form of physical exercise, sports, or work around the home in order to “work off” their excess energy. Impulsivity shows up as acting before thinking, such as blurting out thoughts, or making impulsive decisions without realizing consequences.
Related Symptoms
Symptoms of anxiety related to ADHD, such as test anxiety, social anxiety, and panic attacks are also evaluated. Symptoms of ADHD, left untreated, often create other symptoms, such as low self esteem, social phobia, depression, academic and occupational difficulties. If you are suffering with these symptoms, please give us a call at Behavioral Health Solutions, Tallahassee, and request a mental health evaluation, 850-552-0691.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) Guidelines for Assessment & Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) Guidelines require the patient to be screened for 19 DSM-V Disorders before a diagnosis of ADHD can be determined. Behavioral Health Solutions follows the APA Criteria and Guidelines and conducts an evaluation based upon a face-to-face interview for an assessment, and a follow-up clinical interview.