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ADHD Assessment

Now accepting new patients for telehealth appointments

When children and teens have emotional, behavioral, or learning problems at school, a comprehensive school evaluation pinpoints the problem and guides the treatment and educational services needed.

 

At New York Neuropsychological Services in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, Nicole Murray, Psy.D., specializes in performing school evaluations for ADHD which supports students in getting the services they need to succeed and thrive at school. If you have questions or if you'd like to schedule an appointment, use the online booking feature or call the office in New York City.

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What is ADHD?

ADHD is the acronym for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a disorder that impacts a person's executive functioning, or the functions of the brain that are associated with things like memory, attention, processing speed, and other skills. A person with ADHD might find it difficult to perform daily tasks that can negatively impact them day-to-day. 

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If you think of knowledge as tennis balls and intelligence as a cup, it might help you understand ADHD. Everyone has a certain capacity, or space, for intelligence (so everyone's cup will be different). Knowledge goes into the cup and fills it up with new bits of information gathered over time.  ADHD is like having a tennis racket over the top of the cup that keeps information from getting inside. It doesn't mean that the person is less intelligent; it means that there are cognitive barriers that make it difficult for someone to absorb information. 

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Of course, this can lead to a swell of other difficulties that are also associated with ADHD that aren't just behavioral. Individuals can develop anxiety and even depression from ADHD. It's also common for some people to start questioning if there's something inherently wrong with them even when there isn't. They may just need extra support to function.

What symptoms can develop from ADHD?

ADHD symptoms are broadly categorized as inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Each person has a different range and severity of symptoms, and you may struggle with one or all three categories.

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Adults can have the same symptoms as children. You may:

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  • Have trouble paying attention

  • Have a hard time organizing tasks

  • Fail to pay attention to details

  • Make careless mistakes

  • Find it hard to relax

  • Have a hard time regulating emotions

  • Not follow through on instructions

  • Lose important items frequently

  • Forget daily tasks or miss deadlines

  • Start projects but never finish them

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Executive function deficits lead to problems with brain processing speed and working memory. Working memory allows you to hold multiple pieces of information in your head long enough to use them, whether for planning activities, doing calculations, or associating one activity with another.

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How is ADHD diagnosed and treated?

ADHD is diagnosed through a clinical interview and assessment process. Your therapist at New York Neuropsychological Services learns about your history and symptoms and uses questionnaires to assess the severity of your symptoms. You may also be asked to undergo puzzle-like activities to help understand how your brain is working. Adults also complete a self-report that asks about symptom frequency.

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After the assessment process, you will receive a report with results, diagnosis, and recommendations to help support your functioning. Some of these recommendations can range between suggestions you do throughout your day to help manage symptoms, to a psychiatric evaluation for medication, to psychotherapy, to even a request for accommodations at school or work.

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Whether you need an assessment and diagnosis or ongoing help with ADHD, call New York Neuropsychological Services or schedule an appointment online.

Now accepting new patients for telehealth appointments

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