Children of all ages have times when they are
inattentive. |
Every
parent finds themselves repeating a request of their
child more than once. Or you've found that
your child didn't complete an assignment or a chore
before moving on to a different activity.
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Is this impulsivity? It it hyperactivity?
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Most children have periods where their energy seems
to have no end. However, there is a significant
difference between children who are occasionally
inattentive or energetic, and those children
who have a disabling condition. |
A Learning Profiles Evaluation can help determine if
your child presents with Attention Deficit /
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We'll look at your
child’s strengths and weaknesses, and determine how
those abilities impact academic skills and behavior.
If Attention Deficit and/or Hyperactivity Disorder
are found to be areas of weakness, further
investigation is done to determine if enough
symptoms are present to warrant an ADHD diagnosis.
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A Learning Profiles AD/HD Evaluation Includes: |
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A Detailed Review of School Records:
Report Cards & Parent Conference Forms are
reviewed to find a history of behaviors.
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Diagnostic Interviews: Parents,
teachers and other adults who are involved in
the child’s life may be interviewed to determine
if conditions and behaviors occur in multiple
settings.
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Standardized Rating Forms: Forms are
completed by parents, teachers, and even the
child themselves (depending on age) to determine
whether or not the symptoms are beyond what is
typical for a child's age and gender.
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Cognitive and Academic Skills Assessments:
Used to determine how the child’s strengths
and weaknesses are impacting their skill and
behavioral development.
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Additional Testing (as needed): It
is not unusual for other conditions or behaviors
to occur in the presence of ADHD.
Conditions including depression, anxiety, or
others are commonly seen in conjunction with
ADHD and may be evaluated.
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Upon completion of all of our evaluations Learning
Profiles provides a
customized report detailing your child’s abilities
and behaviors. This report includes
recommendations based on the results of the
evaluation.
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ADDITIONAL FAQS:
What is ADD? How is it different than ADHD?
ADD
was used to define Attention Deficit Disorder.
However, it has been incorporated in diagnostic
manuals with one of the subtypes of ADHD:
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ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type
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ADHD, Predominantly
Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
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ADHD, Combined Type (Inattentive and
Hyperactive/Impulsive Type)
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While using the term ADD may no longer be
“technically” correct, it is still used to
describe a child with an attention disorder.
At Learning Profiles, a diagnosis is given
according to DSM-IV criteria when
appropriate. Therefore, we would use one of
the three terms named above.
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Does an ADHD diagnosis mean my child will have to
take medication? In a word - no. Many children with ADHD find
success with educational and behavioral strategies
that reduce the attentional or hyperactive
impairment. Learning Profiles offers recommendations
that have proven to be successful with students of
all ages. Our recommendations can be
implemented at home and at school. Depending
on your child’s profile, our recommendations may
include a discussion with your child's pediatrician
to determine if medication may be appropriate.
Do you provide
Behavior Modification?
As
part of our counseling services, Learning Profiles
offers behavior techniques for parents and children
to help reduce undesirable behaviors. We also
provide assistance in working with children who
appear to be developing behavioral skills at a
delayed rate.
However, as part of our evaluation process we may
determine that a behavioral disorder, such as
Autism, is present and may require more than
short-term counseling or individualized behavioral
techniques. When appropriate, Learning Profiles
works with other Clinics and Therapists to determine
the best course of action.
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