ADHD
Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrics providing virtual care
ADHD Treatment Services
Children who are constantly on the go or fidgeting, can’t follow directions, or struggle to take turns may have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). At Orchid Pediatrics, Joy Eberhardt, MD, FAAP, works closely with children and their families, providing treatments that help children overcome the challenges of ADHD and learn the skills they need to succeed at school and in life. Don’t wait to schedule an ADHD evaluation; early treatment leads to the best outcomes. To schedule an in-person or telemedicine appointment, call our office or connect online today. We offer safe in-person visits in OR and virtual visits throughout the US including AZ, CO, CT, ID, IL, MD, MN, NH, NJ, OR, TX, UT, WA, WI.
What is ADHD?
ADHD begins when certain areas of the brain develop differently. These changes affect your child’s thought processes and ability to control emotions and behaviors. As a result, they struggle with one or more of the core challenges of ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
All children occasionally have trouble paying attention, sitting still, or waiting their turn. But children with ADHD have such frequent and severe emotional and behavioral challenges that the disorder affects their ability to make friends, succeed at school, and enjoy family life.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in children aged 4-7 years. Seeking early treatment from a northwest ADHD treatment center, such as Orchid Pediatrics, may help them overcome ADHD and excel in school and life.
What Early Signs Does ADHD Cause?
ADHD is separated into three types: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. The first two have specific symptoms, while combined means your child has some symptoms from both.
Children with inattentive ADHD may:
Not notice details
Make careless mistakes
Be easily distracted
Not follow directions
Not finish tasks
Forget things
Be disorganized
Daydream or zone out
If your child has hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, they may:
Stay in constant motion
Struggle to sit still
Squirm or fidget
Talk too much
Jump into play without taking turns
Interrupt or talk over others
Be unable to wait for things
Act without thinking (run into the street without looking)
Children with ADHD often have a weak working memory, a type of short-term memory essential for planning and completing tasks.
What Are Some ADHD Treatments?
Your Orchid Pediatrics provider completes an evaluation to determine if your child has ADHD through an ADHD assessment. They customize each child’s treatment plan to meet their individual needs. However, ADHD usually responds best to treatment that combines medication and therapy.
Medication
Stimulant medications have a long, proven history of significantly improving children’s attention and cognitive processes. If your child can’t tolerate stimulants — or you prefer to avoid them — your provider can recommend a non-stimulant medication that improves ADHD symptoms.
Therapy
During therapy, children build the skills they need to overcome their challenges. For example, they may learn how to organize school work or control their emotions. Many children need help developing social skills.
If you notice signs of ADHD in your child, don’t wait to seek help at Orchid Pediatrics. Call the office or book an appointment online today.