Treatment approaches that include medication and/or therapy are important considerations in effective AD/HD management, but they don't address all of the AD/HD challenges.
While there is no known cure for AD/HD, effective symptoms management and individual success can be realized with a comprehensive approach* that includes an Evaluation, Education, and AD/HD Coaching.
*Includes a medication plan and therapy as needed, along with healthy nutrition, sleep habits and exercise.
History. A good developmental look at a person's past.
Behavior Rating Scales. Input from teachers, spouses, parents and the individual to help pinpoint some of the behavior signs seen in school, the workplace or at home.
Cognitive Measures. Assessment of the executive control and social-emotional skills.
Observation. A one-on-one consultation with the individual and family members if appropriate.
Findings are combined to provide a clear picture of the impact of AD/HD today, as well as a projection for the future without treatment.
Education:
Understanding the impact AD/HD can have on a person's life:
Symptom recognition. Recognizing AD/HD at various stages of a person's development.
Parents& school: what is your role? How much help should you give your child/student?
Adults and relationships. When are you enabling and when are you helping? How much responsibility should you take for the relationship?
Coping with anger, frustration and guilt. Yours. Theirs. What's normal? Recognize the impact of genetics in effectively dealing with AD/HD symptoms.
In the workplace. Are you making the grade or is your job at risk? Where is your AD/HD showing up?
Handling critical family and friends. Not everyone understands what you're dealing with. Develop responses to criticism that help you feel empowered and not like you're making excuses.
Teens. Hormone changes; socialization pressure; handling common risks and challenges. What can you expect and what should you accept?
Preparing for and surviving college. Is it right for your child? What are the options?
Coaching: The coaching process is a pragmatic and goal-oriented tool that utilizes thought-provoking questions, brainstorming and self-exploration to help individuals, families and couples develop the strategies and systems necessary to succeed in their unique environment. For more about AD/HD Coaching click here.
Once medication is out of the system, its benefits disappear.
Without effective coping skills and strategies the individual can be left feeling frustrated, out-of-control, angry and out-of-sync with his environment.
But my child isn't hyperactive!
A reason why AD/HD is often missed in girls.
Don't you grow out of it?
Symptoms can evolve and change over a person’s lifetime. 50% of children with AD/HD continue to show signs into adulthood;
How can someone have AD/HD when they're very bright?
"Superior intelligence is no defense against the effects of AD/HD." Source: Yale University, 19, May 2009; P. Reichel & D. Quinlan.
Children and adolescents:
AD/HD affects 4 -12% of school-aged children;
Often affected by Learning Disabilities, Oppositional Defiant or Conduct Disorder, Anxiety and Depression.
Children may experience the shame associated with bed-wetting, lack of friends, and poor school performance.
Teens & College-Age:
May continue to struggle in school with academic and social issues;
Drop out of school;
Run up against the law and other higher-order institutions;
Have four (4) times more traffic violation issues and incidents;
Struggle with self-medication and substance abuse.
Unidentified AD/HD is a critical factor in poor college performance, and can lead to depression and overall feelings of failure.
Adults: At Home and at Work
Relationships, home life, job performance and overall quality of life are negatively impacted;
Women are more likely to suffer and seek treatment for depression rather than AD/HD;
Untreated, AD/HD adults often perform below their full potential: uneducated, underemployed, divorced, involved in impulsive activities such as gambling and substance abuse;
Effective solutions for attention, organization, time management, behavior & academic challenges.
