Oftentimes pediatricians are not medically trained or knowledgeable about ADHD as a condition or how to diagnose for the symptoms your child is experiencing. Finding and engaging a well-qualified Doctor of Psychology who specializes in ADHD can give you the answers your pediatrician or general practitioner is simply not trained to supply.

Psychological evaluations completed by school districts and by licensed psychologists share many characteristics. For instance, school psychologists often use the same measures and methods for obtaining data about an individual. Evaluations from your local school district are offered at no cost, whether the student attends a public or private school. The school district holds responsibility for determining if the student qualifies for an evaluation. However, there is one major distinction. School psychologists most often conduct evaluations as part of the special education team’s determination as to whether a student is eligible for special education services. However, they might also conduct evaluations to help to identify if significant mental health concerns are interfering with a student’s learning (again qualifying the student for special education services), or to determine eligibility for gifted programs or school readiness (qualifying for early intervention services). School psychologists in California are Master’s level clinicians who are trained to administer tests and interpret them in the context of determining eligibility for special education services. School psychologists do not make clinical or medical diagnoses but instead determine if a student meets special education disability criteria. Those criteria often share similar names with actual diagnoses, which serves as a source of confusion for parents and providers.

ADHD is a lifelong condition, but symptoms may change over time. While some individuals may experience a reduction in symptoms as they mature, many continue to experience challenges related to ADHD throughout their lives.

The typical lifespan of an evaluation is 3-5 years, depending on the age of the individual during the evaluation. The younger the person is, the shorter the lifespan of the report. For example, the lifespan of an evaluation for a 3-year-old is roughly 2-5 years, whereas the lifespan of the report for a 16-year-old is closer to 5-8 years. Often, the lifespan is determined by the use of the report. Most institutions require that testing be “current,” which is typically defined as “within the last 3-5 years.”

The answer has to do with the kind of attention that video games require. Fast-paced games can keep your child’s focus because something is always happening on the screen. In a video game, kids must respond immediately — otherwise, they lose. There’s no time to think or get distracted by something else.

Even with video games, kids aren’t really paying attention for long stretches. Instead, video game tasks change so fast that kids only need short bursts of attention. And the constant stimulation and instant rewards make these games much easier for kids to pay attention to than normal situations where they have to work harder to get rewards.

It can be harmful for kids to spend lots of time playing video games. But the reason isn’t that they cause ADHD.

While research has consistently shown that boys are more often diagnosed with ADHD, typically at a rate of 3:1, and usually due to symptoms surrounding hyperactivity, boys and girls may experience ADHD nearly equally worldwide.

ADHD may be missed in girls because their symptoms manifest differently compared to boys. Typically, boys exhibit impulsive and hyperactive symptoms of ADHD, while girls with ADHD tend toward inattentiveness – most of which they internalize.

Oftentimes girls are not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood, usually recognizing symptoms during post-secondary education, at work, or when having children.

ADHD is treatable for both boys and girls.

Parents can support their child by establishing routines, providing clear and consistent expectations, offering praise and encouragement for positive behaviors, and collaborating with teachers and healthcare professionals to develop strategies for managing symptoms.

In partnership with Dr. Zoe Collins, Psy.D., we offer a Post-Assessment Consultation to parents interested in learning and defining next steps. Learn more about Post-Assessment Treatment Consultation.

Accommodations may include extended time on tests, preferential seating, frequent breaks, use of assistive technology, and providing written instructions in addition to verbal instructions.

ADHD Assessment Clinic can work with you to provide reporting required by educational institutions to assist with qualification for accommodations.