Everyone has occasional moments where we have trouble paying attention, sitting still or resisting an impulse. For some people, however, these behaviors are so uncontrollable they interfere with everyday life activities like work, school or socializing.

The clinical term for this disorder is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), commonly referred to as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Research suggests this common disorder affects up to 9% of school age children and generally persisist into adulthood.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms include hyperactive, impulsive behavior possibly accompanied with inattentive behavior. These symptoms usually appear in early childhood.

What are the differences between ADD and ADHD?

Professionally speaking, they are both Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. However, there is a difference for practical purposes.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is broken down into three classifications based on the symptoms of the individual:

Hyperactive-Impulsive Type — includes symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity but without inattention.

Inattentive Type — includes symptoms of inattention but the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity are absent.

Combined Type —includes symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.

Based on these classifications, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) describes the inattentive type where inattention is present but hyperactive and impulsive behaviors are not present.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder describes the other two classifications where hyperactivity and impulsivity are present. Many people use the terms ADD and ADHD interchangeably for both those with and without symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

What are the Symptoms of ADHD?

The main symptoms of ADHD start in childhood and include hyperactivity and impulsivity, and in some cases often interferring with attentiveness.  Externailized symptoms, like hyperactivity, are more readily noticible but inattention problems are often hard to recognize without professional help. ADHD symptoms are more noticible during moments of increased stress (from school or work), in group social settings or when tasks are difficult or boring.

Young children often display hyperactive and impulsive behaviors from time to time and it is only a concern if the behaviors persist as the child gets older.  If you are concerned your child has ADHD, please use our simple ADHD self-assessment to determine their potential for ADHD and contact us for an accurate ADHD diagnosis.

How is ADD treated?

Proper testing and an accurate evaluation of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity 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 professional assessment tools to diagnose ADHD, including Continuous Performance Tests (CPT), 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 established psychological tests.

After confirming a diagnosis of ADHD, Dr. Silverman may recommend one or several drug-free options for treating ADHD using Neurofeedback programs specifically designed to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.