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Evaluation

Our evaluation for ADD/ADHD is a 2-1/2 hour procedure. This time allows for a complete clinical overview of our prospective patients, which includes an extensive diagnostic interview. Another key part of the evaluation is patient participation in a battery of standardized tests which help us to understand behavioral patterns and brain activity. Many of our patients can have additional overlapping disorders along with ADD/ADHD. These include:

• anxiety
• depression
• bipolar disorder
• conduct disorder
• oppositional/defiant disorder
• obsessive/compulsive disorder
• learning disabilities
• language disorders.

A thorough assessment of the difficulties is essential to develop the most effective and comprehensive treatment plan. The patient's neurological disorder can negatively affect family dynamics. Consequently, we must assess the degree to which the family requires support from us during the patient's treatment to maximize clinical improvement. Only with all of the above information can an adequate treatment plan be developed.

Since approximately 70% of patients with ADD and ADHD have a coexisting learning disorder, additional psychoeducational or auditory/language testing may be warranted based on the patients’ symptoms. Also based on the patient’s medical history and symptoms, a QEEG brain map link to brain mapping may be recommended. Many times a family may already know their family member will require a brain map after going through the initial orientation/consultation and will schedule it also with the evaluation.