[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
I hear it all the time, \u201cMy kid has her nose in a book most of the day, she can\u2019t have ADD!\u201d\u00a0 Sometimes it\u2019s, \u201cHe can build Legos all afternoon\u201d or \u201cHe can sit in front of video games for hours, there\u2019s no way he\u2019s got ADHD!\u201d\u00a0 But let me be clear: ADHD has nothing to do with paying attention to activities that kids or adults enjoy.\u00a0 Because, if we\u2019re honest, we can all dive into things we love, and we can keep going for a long time\u2014sometimes even hours.\u00a0 And for many people with ADHD, their motivation and interests can fuel them even more, oftentimes during enjoyable activities they have more stamina than peers.\u00a0 But, ADHD has everything to do with paying attention to activities people DON\u2019T enjoy.\u00a0 That aren\u2019t naturally rewarding.\u00a0 Cleaning up their room, completing a math worksheet, or studying for a big test instead of talking with a friend.<\/p>\n
But what about the brain and ADHD?\u00a0 In a nutshell, ADHD is when the frontal lobes of the brain develop slower than usual.\u00a0 And why is this important? Because, above all, the frontal lobes are responsible for purposeful, planned behavior (the fancy term for this is executive functioning). \u00a0It\u2019s a fancy term, but here is what Executive Functioning is: knowing what to do, when to do it, and actually doing it.\u00a0 For instance, think paying attention to a classroom lecture even though you really want to check Instagram or chat with your friend about last night\u2019s game.\u00a0Or, think about waiting your turn during a conversation rather than cutting off your friend.\u00a0 Now, a keyword here is SLOWER. Students with ADHD have frontal lobes that mature slower<\/em> than others. So, kids, teens, and adults with ADHD aren\u2019t destined to struggle for the rest of their lives; rather, the goal of any treatment plan is to support the development of the frontal lobes.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/wesleyshelley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/ADD.jpg” alt=”ADHD Testing Charlottesville” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] First, I hate to break it to you, but there\u2019s no such thing as \u201cADD.\u201d\u00a0 Well, there is, but it\u2019s technically called something different, ADHD Inattentive type.\u00a0 But so many people still use the term \u201cADD\u201d that it gets confusing.\u00a0 Here\u2019s the point, when we talk about ADHD, it could be one of three types: 1) primarily restless, impulsive, and hyperactive, 2) primarily spacey, inattentive, and disorganized, or 3) a combination of both.\u00a0 So, don\u2019t fear if I talk about ADHD but you or your child are struggling with only symptoms of inattention.\u00a0 Part of the testing process is understanding which symptoms are most intense.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let\u2019s be honest, no one\u2019s attention skills are perfect. Throughout the day there are plenty examples of when our attention slips or fades. When we\u2019ve got a book open at night and realize that we have absolutely no idea what we had just read, when we forget an item on our grocery list, when we\u2019re driving along the same route and miss a turn, or socially when we speak without thinking. Like telling an adoptive mother that her son looks just like her\u2014yeah, I\u2019ve done that.<\/p>\n But for students with ADD\/ADHD, these struggles are much more intense and much more pervasive. Sustaining attention in class can be arduous, like most of us in a lecture about chemical engineering (sorry, engineers). Talking with friends, doodling, or just daydreaming are so much more engaging. And outside of class, the struggles continue. Homework isn\u2019t written down, papers are scattered, assignments are missing or late, and studying is rushed or doesn\u2019t happen at all. And ultimately, grades plummet, and it\u2019s hard to play catch up. Socially, students with ADD\/ADHD may burn bridges because of their impulsivity or difficulty picking up on nonverbal cues and subtleties.<\/p>\n And when do these struggles first appear? Sure, there are times when ADD\/ADHD symptoms are obvious when a student enters kindergarten or even before, but for many others, it\u2019s not as obvious. The times that I frequently see attention problems become unmanageable are at important transitions, like starting middle school and managing the demands of multiple teachers, completing the longer and more complex assignments in high school, or starting college and having to prioritize work amidst a host of fun-filled alternatives.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”Get in touch” url=”http:\/\/wesleyshelley.com\/contact” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.16″ text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Contact me today to talk about an evaluation<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Making an ADHD diagnosis is tricky, and here is why: attention problems can be a symptom of a wide range of difficulties: from learning disabilities to anxiety, limited motivation to concussions. And, there is not one test or procedure that can definitively diagnose ADD\/ADHD. These are just two reasons my evaluations are so comprehensive.\u00a0 Testing sessions usually last around three hours, I elicit feedback from parents and teachers, and I take my time to consider all the factors that might be impacting attention, follow-through, organization, etc. In the end, I have a detailed picture of a student, their particular struggles, and our plan moving forward is not a one-size-fits-all arrangement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot of professionals who can diagnose ADHD: medical doctors like pediatricians or psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, psychologists, and counselors.\u00a0 And there are pros and cons of each (check out a brief comparison here<\/a>).\u00a0 Medical professionals can do a few things I can\u2019t\u2014like conclusively rule out thyroid problems.\u00a0 But medical professionals typically don\u2019t set aside the time that I can.\u00a0 I mean, what doctor is going to spend two to three hours on an evaluation?\u00a0 As a school psychologist, I have two decades of experience working in schools, observing students in class, and collaborating with teachers and parents to help students thrive.\u00a0 Most clinical psychologists have never set foot in a school.<\/p>\n And, while we\u2019re on the subject, there\u2019s another important reason that I\u2019m different than many psychologists.\u00a0 Lots of psychologists think that an evaluation for ADHD has to rule out a learning disability.\u00a0 This means more testing\u2014a lot more testing.\u00a0 This means more money, too.\u00a0 And yes, it\u2019s true that about 45% of students with ADHD have a learning disability (check out this study<\/a>).\u00a0 So, there are times when we should do a comprehensive assessment.\u00a0 But, when students have breezed through elementary school\u2014when most learning disabilities first surface\u2014then there typically isn\u2019t much reason to complete loads of testing.\u00a0 Of course I look to rule this out, but that shouldn\u2019t take four extra hours of testing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wondering how much ADHD testing costs?\u00a0 Check out my fees<\/a> page.\u00a0 Have other questions about the evaluation process or ready to schedule an appointment?\u00a0 You can call, email, or fill out a contact form<\/a> here.\u00a0 Thanks so much.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ADHD Testing What is ADHD? I hear it all the time, \u201cMy kid has her nose in a book most of the day, she can\u2019t have ADD!\u201d\u00a0 Sometimes it\u2019s, \u201cHe can build Legos all afternoon\u201d or \u201cHe can sit in front of video games for hours, there\u2019s no way he\u2019s got ADHD!\u201d\u00a0 But let me […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wesleyshelley.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/126"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wesleyshelley.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wesleyshelley.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wesleyshelley.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wesleyshelley.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/wesleyshelley.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/126\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":223221,"href":"https:\/\/wesleyshelley.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/126\/revisions\/223221"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wesleyshelley.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#94e3ef” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/wesleyshelley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/ADHD.jpg” alt=”ADD Testing Charlottesville” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]
\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nWhat\u2019s the difference between ADD and ADHD?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What are signs of ADHD?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Testing for ADHD<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Who diagnoses ADHD?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Other questions about ADHD testing<\/strong><\/h2>\n