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ADHD Program offered in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Dana Point, CA
Our ADHD program for children, adolescents, and adults is designed to provide the best possible care by offering evidence-based diagnostic and treatment options for ADHD. We are committed to making recommendations that are informed by the scientific literature and the most up-to-date standards of care in our field. We are also always willing to seek collaboration and consultation with all professionals involved in the care of you or your loved one.
ADHD Program Q & A
Program Overview
- Screening Interview
The first step is to speak with a case manager from our program for a 20 minute screening and to develop a specialized care plan. - Diagnosis
Complete diagnostic and assessment procedures to determine if you/your child meets criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD. - Treatment
If ADHD is diagnosed, you have a variety of evidence-based options for treatment that can help manage symptoms of ADHD. - Treatment Monitoring
Once stable with treatment, you will be monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure appropriate adjustments over time.
Diagnostic Options
- COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION
A Psychiatrist (M.D.) or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMH-NP) will complete an assessment to consider ADHD and/or the role of other mental health issues. This evaluation will focus on current signs and symptoms and their impact in different environments or setting, as well as on past symptoms, other psychiatric or psychological diagnoses, medical history, and other relevant psychosocial factors such as changes or stressors that may be exacerbating problems. Your provider may also request that parents and teachers complete rating scales to provide supplemental information for diagnostic and treatment planning. - NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL/PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL TESTING
Neuropsychological and psychoeducational testing is completed by a clinical psychologist with specialized training in assessment procedures. The evaluation provides a comprehensive overview of cognitive strengths and weaknesses and is particularly helpful in determining if there are other co-morbid learning or neurocognitive disorders. It can also be used to inform Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and to track changes in functioning over time. This type of assessment generally requires a clinical interview, a series of testing appointments, and a results session. A comprehensive report is provided. - ABBREVIATED ADHD BATTERY
This type of assessment screens executive functioning and ADHDrelated symptoms, along with other relevant learning areas including a rule out of learning disorders, language disorders, and mental health symptoms, in order to receive a quick, accurate, and evidence-based diagnosis. This type of testing requires initial comprehensive interviews, informant- and self-report forms, a half day of test administration, and can provide verbal results on the same day of service, with a report following shortly after. - SEMI-STRUCTURED DIAGNOSTIC INTERVIEWING
The K-SADS is a semi-structured diagnostic interview designed to assess current and past symptoms of a range of issues for children and adolescents (ages 6-18) including ADHD based on DSM-V criteria. The provider will interview the parent(s) and the child, asking a variety of semi-structured questions to assess for symptoms and associated impairments. Data from all sources (parent, child, school) are integrated to achieve summary ratings in order to determine if a diagnosis of ADHD is likely. - SCHOOL OBSERVATIONS
Classroom observations can be utilized to record how often a child exhibits various symptoms of ADHD in the classroom in order to better understand how your child’s ADHD symptoms may be impacting his/her school performance and functioning. School observations are used as an adjunct to the other evaluation procedures and diagnostic options listed above. The data collected is integrated with other assessment findings to provide a more comprehensive view of symptomatology and impairment in order to guide treatment.
Treatment Options
We offer a range of evidence-based treatment options categorized below as pharmacologic (medication) and nonpharmacologic (non-medication) interventions. Our program will assist you in developing a comprehensive, integrated, and personalized treatment plan based on the options listed below to best meet your unique needs.