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Is his Focusing Problem ADD or a Processing Problem?

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I worked with a 10th grade adolescent because his parents were concerned that his grades were dropping and his attitude to school was poor. He was telling his parents that he had trouble paying attention in class, keeping is mind on the content, and difficulty concentrating when doing his homework. His parents came to me to try and determine if their son had ADD or if he was just being lazy. They wanted information to help them understand if they just needed to push their son harder or if they needed to cut him some slack if he really had ADD. My evaluation helped answer their questions.

First I met with the parents, listened to their concerns, discussed background information, and determined the main questions they wanted answered.  This process gave me insight into their son’s history and helped me understand how to tailor the evaluation to specifically address their concerns.  (Some psychologists use the same tests on every kid no matter what the parents’ concerns are because they get comfortable using certain tests or because they are not very astute. Not every evaluation should be the same tests.)

Their son came in for two, two hour appointments where we went through the testing process. Some tests involved talking whereas others were looking at pictures, completing tasks, and interacting with me or a computer.  During this time I got to know the teen and we discussed fishing, his enjoyment for riding ATVs, and his perceptions about school.  It appeared that we had a solid rapport so I believe the testing was accurate.  As I scored the tests it turned out that his student had some very significant processing problems that were contributing to his feelings of being overwhemled and discouraged about school.  He believed that even though he was trying to be successful in school that his effort did not result in good grades.  Thus, he was quickly becoming unmotivated.  As it turned out, this teen was not at all lazy.

When I met with the parents to review the results the information I shared with them in the written report provided insight and steps for helping their son.  Hearing about their son’s strengths and about his processing problems helped them understand him even better.  They left knowing that they needed to give him greater understanding.  They also needed to help him create a system for success that would work to his strengths.  I provided the parents with some folks that could come along side them and teach the teen how create his system.

Do you have questions about your child?  Use the form above to contact me or call for an appointment.

Spongebob Causes ADHD?

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I recently did some testing with a second grade boy because his dad was concerned about his impulsive behavior.  The boy’s father had a conference with the Palm Beach Schools teacher and the teacher said the boy talks excessively, rushes through his school work, finishes so quickly that he walks around and disturbs other children, and slides out of his chair.  If you have a son does this sound familiar?  The types of behaviors the teacher and dad described could be related to ADHD.  After all, they sound like ADHD types of behaviors since impulsivity and lack of attention to detail are characteristics of ADHD.

The dad continued to say the boy has a short attention span at home, bounces from activity to activity, and does not complete tasks.  The boy does enjoy TV and especially Spongebob.  What surprised me was that the boy’s father asked me, “Does Spongebob cause ADHD?”  I replied, “No.” There is no direct link to Spongebob causing ADHD.  There was a study in 2011 that suggested watching just nine minutes of that program can cause short-term attention and learning problems in 4-year-olds.   Sixty kids were assigned to groups that watched Spongebob, Caillou, or drew.  The kids that watched Spongebob performed lowest on measures administered immediately after the activity.  However the study was severely limited in that it did not test kids before watching TV.  Thus, we don’t really know if these kids were lower to begin with or if it was something about the TV program.

I offer comprehensive testing for ADHD/ADD.  It should include more than just a behavioral checklist or rating scale.  When I test a child for ADD/ADHD it includes neuropsychological tests of attention and executive functioning.  Most kids with ADHD have significant difficulties on these types of tests.  Thus, it removes the subjectivity of a person’s opinion on the rating scale.  Direct testing, observation, interviewing the teacher and parents, are all just as important as any one rating scale.  If you are concerned your boy or girl may have ADHD then contact me to get testing.  Most parents believe the insight gained in testing gives them peace of mind and specific direction for helping their child.  They don’t waste time and resourses doing things that don’t help the child.