ADD/ADHD Initial Evaluations
All kids have some issues with behavior from time to time, but about 9% of children have age-inappropriate and persistent problems with inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that it affects their daily lives at home and at school. If you have concerns about your child's behavior, we are hear to listen, evaluate, and discuss treatment options.
About the Initial Consultation
Schedule a Consult Visit
Contact our office to schedule your initial consult visit by calling 919-828-4747. These visits are long visits, usually 30-60 minutes, so they are only scheduled at certain times of the week. We prefer that you schedule with the physician that knows your child the best.
Collect Information & Return Forms
We ask that you collect information and return these papers at least 5 days prior to your visit. The history-taking is too extensive to do orally in your first visit. Let's be efficient!
Many factors can influence our analysis of your child's behavior, so we will ask about their past medical history, education history, sleep quality, family history and much more.
Vanderbilt forms are evidence-based standardized forms that are completed by parents AND teachers. If your child has had psychoeducational testing or has an IEP, we want to review this too. (COVID-clause: It really is helpful to have the info from teachers. Try to message them and find a system for them to complete the forms. They can call our office if they prefer to email or fax in forms. Do your best.)
If you turn in forms early, we gift you OUR time to review them and we start the visit prepared. If you turn these in at the last minute, then we use YOUR time to evaluate them.
Come Talk With Us About Intervention Options
For kids who are diagnosed with ADHD, stimulant medicines can be extremely helpful to manage behavioral problems. However, getting the perfect medication, dose, and fit with your insurance plan often takes a lot of communication and modifications in the first months. Expect to have a second visit about one month after the initial consult, with communication with your physician during that time.
Parent & Patient Tools
ADHD Screening Form for Adolescents
What Every Parent Should Know Before Starting a Child on Medications
This tool explains important information about medication treatment for ADHD, including the role of medication, side effects, dose titration, and follow-up.
Managing Medicine for Children and Teenagers with ADHD
This tool includes basic information about the diagnosis of ADHD and outlines the role of medication in ADHD treatment, different classes of medication used for ADHD treatment and possible side effects, and dose-adjustment process.
- Managing Medicine for Children and Teenagers with ADHD - English
- Managing Medicine for Children and Teenagers with ADHD - Spanish
ADHD Internet Resources
The Internet is a valuable source of information for parents and clinicians about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) care. This tool lists current Internet sites that are credible sources of information about ADHD care.
- ADHD Internet Resources - English
- ADHD Internet Resources - Spanish
Homework Tips for Parents
Intended for parents to understand and assist their child in completing homework, this tool identifies common problems, outlines helpful solutions, and suggests when additional resources might be useful.
- Homework Tips for Parents - English
- Homework Tips for Parents - Spanish
ADHD Medications for Teens - Tips for Parents
This tool outlines the risks of medication abuse and best practices to minimize this risk.
School Issues
Teen Drivers with ADD/ADHD
Teen drivers with ADHD are at increased risk of crashes and citations when they begin to drive. The "Parent-Teen Driving Agreement" is intended to be completed through discussion between parents and their teens about appropriate rules and expectations for safe driving. "A Message to Parents of Teen Drivers" outlines how parents can set rules that decrease a child's risk of crashes during the early driving years.
