Have you ever found it difficult to concentrate, or felt fidgety and anxious? For most of us, these are temporary feelings we occasionally experience, but for people with Attention Deficit Disorder these and other behaviors are chronic and pervasive – to the point of disrupting everyday life.  This common disorder affects up to 9% of school age children and generally persisist into adulthood.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) initially appears in childhood and is characterized by inattentive behavior and/or hyperactivity and impulsiveness. The symptoms associated with ADD affect an individual's ability to perform well in school, manage emotions and function normally in social settings.  Anxiety, listening/processing problems, obsessive/compulsive issues, behavioral problems and underachievement often accompany Attention Deficit Disorder.

The causes of Attention Deficit Disorder remain largely unknown, though many experts believe genetic or neurobiological factors influence development of the disorder.  Untreated, ADD often continues into adulthood causing a lifetime of frustration and emotional distress.

Fortunately, individuals are normally able to overcome the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder through treatment and live normal, productive lives.

What are the Symptoms of ADD?

The main symptoms of attention deficit disorder start in childhood and, depending on the type of ADD, will include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.  Externailized symptoms, like hyperactivity, are more readily noticable but inattention problems are often hard to recognize without professional help. ADD symptoms are more apparent during moments of increased stress (from school or work), in group social settings or when tasks are difficult or boring.

Young children often display these behaviors from time to time and it can be difficult to distinguish normal behavior from those of ADD. A comprehensive professional assessment can detect if ADD or other disorders are present.  If you are concerned, please use our simple ADD self-assessment to determine their potential for ADD and contact us for an accurate diagnosis.

How is ADD treated?

Proper testing and an accurate diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder is important for designing an effective treatment plan.

Dr. Silverman’s practice, the Center for Attention Deficit and Learning Disorders, uses a combination of psychological expertise and proven assessment tools to diagnose ADD, including Continuous Performance Tests (CPT's), the Conners' Continuous Performance Test, The Test of Variables of Attention (T.O.V.A.®/ T.O.V.A.®-A),  the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA) , the Gordon Diagnostic Systems and  other psychological tests.

Once a diagnosis of ADD is confirmed, Dr. Silverman may recommend one or several drug-free options for treating ADD using Neurofeedback programs specifically designed to treat Attention Deficit Disorder.