ADHD Assessment & Treatment

ADHD Treatment Q&A

When should I seek ADHD treatment?

Starting treatment as early as possible gives children and adults the potential to avoid some of the frustrations and challenges caused by ADHD.  Children may be diagnosed as early as four years. You may even see signs in toddlers. At any age, look for symptoms of ADHD, such as:

• Avoiding activities that demand attention

• Struggling to stay on task

• Quickly losing interest in one activity and switching to another

• Often losing toys, homework, keys, or other important items

• Talking more than most peers

• Daydreaming or tuning out others

• Needing to stay active and moving

• Struggling to get along with peers

• Having intense, uncontrolled emotions

Any time you have concerns, whether for your child or yourself, it’s time to talk with Dr. Brugman about ADHD testing and treatment.

What testing do I need before ADHD treatment? 

Dr. Brugman learns about you or your child’s current symptoms and your medical, social, and mental health history.  He provides adult and child ADHD testing with the QbTest®, today’s most accurate test for diagnosing ADHD.  This test assists in determining the severity of each core challenge: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.  (See our Qb Testing above)  He will ask adult patients, parents and teachers to complete behavioral questionnaires and rating scales. He may also ask for psychoeducational and/or psychological testing, if it has been done in the past.

What type of ADHD treatment will I receive?

Dr. Brugman customizes each person’s ADHD treatment, recommending one or more of the following: 

Medication:

Many people with moderate to severe ADHD benefit from medications that improve attention and diminish hyperactivity and impulsivity. Stimulant medications, such as Vyvanse®, Concerta®, and Adderall®, improve ADHD symptoms in more than 80% of people. If you prefer to avoid stimulants or they cause side effects, you have the option of non-stimulant medications like Strattera® , Intuniv®, Qelbree®, or Wellbutrin®.   

Talk therapy:

Talk therapy helps children and adults overcome the challenges caused by ADHD. For example, many people need help learning to get organized. Therapy can also improve social skills, teach ways to control impulsive behaviors and regulate strong emotions, and teach how to identify and change negative thoughts and difficult behaviors.  

Home, school, and work interventions:

An essential aspect of ADHD treatment includes support in all environments, teaching families, teachers, and caregivers strategies they can use to help children with ADHD thrive. Adults can also learn ways to improve their productivity and success at work.