Information Leaflet on Childhood ADHD: Signs, Symptoms, Effects and Getting ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects approximately 5% of school aged children. This means that in
Scotland, we should have around 44,500 children diagnosed with the condition. The truth is, only around 2,500 are
diagnosed as discovered by Quality Improvement Scotland (QIS, 2008). Therefore, the vast majority of children with
ADHD are never diagnosed, let alone receive appropriate treatment. As a parent or carer of a child who has
undiagnosed ADHD and not able to access appropriate supports, life will often feel out with your control and you will
often have a sense of frustration and failure about not being able to help your child with what is essentially, a blocker to
learning – ADHD. It’s not your fault! ADHD Direct is a dedicated ADHD service developed to assess and treat children
affected by the condition as well as supporting the parents and carers of these children.
So what does Childhood ADHD Look Like? The symptoms childhood ADHD are: Inattention, Hyperactivity and Impulsivity. These symptoms require some
explanation. Children with ADHD will have significant impairment in the areas of attention, distractibility, working
memory and time management. They are extremely disorganized children who forget things, lose stuff and find it very
difficult to apply themselves to tasks that require sustained mental effort. If they are hyperactive with poor impulse
control then they will be constantly fidgety and restless and find it difficult to sit still. They will also be unable to stop
themselves physically or verbally; they’ve either done it or said before they could stop themselves.
They are also likely to be emotionally impulsive; that is, they’re very sensitive, takes things to heart or easily upset.
They can become very upset or angry in an instant for what others might consider to be relatively mild or trivial issues.
Most children will have some of these challenges from time to time. However, if you are a child with ADHD then these
problems are invariably present all the time. It wears you done as their parent and can eventually wear them done too
because they’re not achieving their potential. It definitely takes its toll.
Children with ADHD often do not learn from their mistakes and if they do not get the appropriate support when they’re
younger, then unfortunately this can follow them into adulthood.
Not all children with ADHD will encounter all of the above problems but if you are a parent or carer of a child with ADHD
then you will definitely recognise many of these symptoms and problems. If you think that your child may have ADHD
then please feel free to contact Gordon Brown of ADHD Direct for a confidential informal discussion/advice.
“ADHD simply does not begin
at 5 years and end at 16
years. Nor does it start at 9am
and stop at 4pm. For most, it’s
constant.”
Gordon Brown (2008)
Contact Us: Telephone: 07803235123
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.adhddirect.co.uk
Services Available From ADHD Direct Child ADHD Assessment
A Child ADHD assessment includes the following:
• Liaison with the child’s school to ask teaching staff to complete our school assessment proforma,
Strength & Difficulties Questionnaire and Conners Teachers Rating Scale for ADHD. We also ask the
school for copies of the child’s early school reports.
• Meet with the parents/carers and child in order to gather a detailed history of the presenting difficulties,
as well as a full developmental history.
• Undertake an individual interview with the child during which the Conners Continuous Performance Test
(CPT) is administered. This is a 14 minute computer programme that assesses for problems with
attention and impulse control.
At the end of the above baseline assessment, the family is provided with a detailed and comprehensive report
which will outline the formulation of the child’s difficulties and recommendations regarding treatment
interventions.
Adult ADHD Assessment
An Adult ADHD assessment includes the following: ·
• Completion of our Adult ADHD Home Assessment Proforma
• Completion of Wender Utah Rating Scale, Adult ADHD Symptom Checklist and Adult ADHD Observer
Symptom Checklist
• At the assessment appointment, we carry out further assessment using a semi-structured interview and
administer the test: Conners Continuous Performance test (CPT)
• Assessment of other common conditions that often co-occur alongside adult ADHD, i.e. anxiety and
depression
At the end of the above baseline assessment, a detailed and comprehensive report is provided which outlines
the formulation of the adult’s difficulties and recommendations regarding treatment interventions.
Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Assessment
A Child/Adult ASD assessment is carried out using the following assessment tools:
• Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communications Disorders (DISCO) Australian Scale for Aspergers
Syndrome Strength & Difficulties Questionnaires Children’s Communication Checklist
Treatments
• Medications to treat ADHD
• Parents INC - 6 week ADHD parent/carer programme
• The DistractABLEs - 6 week ADHD teenager programme
• Still Me - 6 week ADHD adult programme
• Teachers COUNT - 2 full-day teacher training programme
Price List
• ADHD Assessment (Child/Adult) £400.00
• ASD Assessment (Child/Adult) £400.00
• Medication Review Appointments £85.00 per appointment
• Parents INC £425.00 for 6 week programme
• The DistractABLEs £425.00 for 6 week programme
• Still Me £425.00 for 6 week programme
If you would
like to know more about our services or would like to arrange an assessment then please contact
Gordon Brown:
Telephone: 07803235123 Email: [email protected] Web: www.adhddirect.co.uk