ADHD

ADHD Expertise in Fort Collins, Colorado

ADHD experts at NeuroDevelopment Center of Colorado in Fort Collins assist parents who are trying to help their child develop great habits and life-long skills.

ADHD diagnosis and medication rates continue to increase nationally. We believe parents and the healthcare community should closely follow best-practice guidelines to ensure that ADHD diagnoses are only made based on sound data. There are many issues that can mimic ADHD.  We see children who “look ADHD” to others based on behavior at home, school or childcare. Parents should consult with healthcare providers who have the broad neurodevelopmental training to rule out ADHD when appropriate. Ruling out ADHD often helps identify an underlying issue (e.g., learning, sensory, medical or emotional) that should be addressed.

ADHD Evaluation:

ADHD is too often diagnosed elsewhere with a simple description of a child’s behavior. This does not satisfy the best-practice guideline for ADHD diagnosis established by the American Academy of Pediatrics.  This guideline states that ADHD evaluation “should include assessment for other conditions”. Clinicians at the NeuroDevelopment Center of Colorado assess information processing, academic foundations, social/emotional status and any other areas that may be contributing to a child’s off-task behavior.

ADHD is by definition a developmental issue that becomes evident during early childhood. As such, clinicians at NeuroDevelopment Center of Colorado spend time talking with parents to understand the child’s behavioral history. It is critical to consider whether ADHD symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity have changed over time or coincided with major health, family or social adjustments.

History, behavior ratings, clinical observations and test results (in relation to age-norms) all factor into the diagnostic decision when ADHD is a possibility. ADHD is not a “catch-all” or investigated less rigorously than any other developmental diagnosis at the NeuroDevelopment Center.

ADHD Treatment:

ADHD treatment at the NeuroDevelopment Center of Colorado in Fort Collins is customized and based on research-proven methods. The ADHD system we have developed has been called “a game changer” and “so easy any family can use it.”  It eliminates the need for constant verbal reminders (e.g., “Brush your teeth,” “Start your homework”). While these daily reminders may keep a child with ADHD afloat, this approach is not good for your child or for you! Our ADHD specialists can help your child to develop life skills.

The ADHD system we provide has been so well received that we are currently working on an app version. Parents and children can now also use our ADHD system on their smart phones by searching “Equipt Life Skills” in the Apple App Store.