ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; previously known as Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD) is the term used to describe an ongoing pattern of behaviour which begins at birth. ADHD is said to be the most common brain-based condition in childhood – affecting 3% to 5% of school aged children. School can be particularly challenging for young people with ADHD. Not only because of the learning challenges, but also the need to follow rules and sometimes social challenges
Symptoms
Individuals with ADHD often have difficulty with:
Ignoring distractions
Paying attention to the task they are doing
Starting tasks (appearing like procrastination)
Misplacing their belongings
Acting without thinking things through (impulsivity)
Remembering to do things
Maintaining the mental effort to complete tasks
Organisation and planning
Keeping track of time
Managing emotions such as frustration and boredom
Following rules
Motivating themselves
Different types of ADHD
ADHD begins at birth and in most cases persists (to some degree) throughout life. ADHD can present as a number of different behaviours described as hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive. Some individuals may have greater difficulties in the area of hyperactivity and others may have greater difficulty sustaining attention. Furthermore, some individuals may have a combination of both behaviours and these individuals will require the most the support.
Diagnose
The diagnosis of ADHD should involve the input of multiple sources of information including parents and teachers. A Psychologist can gather information and undertake a series of psychological assessment tasks to clarify the nature of the difficulties. As a result they will be able to see if there are any other factors which may be leading to these problems. Psychologists can also be part of the management plan for the symptoms.
Next Steps
If you think your child may have ADHD and would like further assessment, contact us at Your Psych Centre via phone, email or drop in to our office to arrange to meet with one of our trained psychologists for a confidential discussion.
No referral needed!
No referral is needed to make an appointment. However, you can arrange for an appointment with your GP to discuss your mental health and the support which is available. If you are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan, your GP can provide this to you to bring along to your session which will allow you to access a rebate through Medicare.