Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by difficulties with attention, concentration, over-activity and impulsivity. An individual may experience difficulties with attention and concentration without associated hyperactivity (ADD). These difficulties may go undiagnosed for long periods of time as impairments are less obvious. Individuals who experience ADHD or ADD may struggle with the following difficulties from a young age:
- Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks
- Difficulty resisting distractions
- Having memory problems and being forgetful
- Often breaking things accidentally, or losing things.
- Making lots of careless mistakes or rushing tasks
- Poor outcomes in education
- For children and young people there may be behavioural or attendance difficulties at school (frequent detentions, exclusons or other consequences). For adults, they may have difficulty getting on at work or holding down a job. They may have experienced difficulties at school which were put down to ‘naughty behaviour’.
- Sleep disturbance
- Difficulties organising tasks or activities
- Saying or doing things without thinking about consequences (impulsivity)
- Restlessness and difficulty keeping still, especially in quiet or calm settings where being still is expected
- Constant fidgeting
- Having no sense of danger or consequences
- Talking excessively and interrupting others or not being able to wait their turn
Assessment and Diagnosis
Assessment for disorders of attention should be completed by a team of suitably qualified professionals with expertise and experience in the diagnosis of a range of neurodevelopmental disorders. This is because there are many disorders and difficulties which overlap with the difficulties experienced by individuals with ADHD and ADD. Consideration of mental health, social communication (Autism) learning difficulties and trauma should be explored alongside the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Many individuals are diagnosed incorrectly by inexperienced clinicians who do not work with others effectively to identify the underlying cause of the individual’s difficulties. This can be harmful as the individual does not get the correct support or access to services which may be of benefit to them. Inaccurate diagnosis can affect someone’s identity and beliefs about themselves which may impact negatively on their self esteem and well-being. It also means that those around them do not understand their needs and difficulties well and therefore cannot support them effectively. There are some very effective medical treatments for ADHD and ADD.
Our Service
We are able to offer a comprehensive assessment to determine whether a child, young person or adult has ADHD .
Cerebro Ltd utilise guidelines laid out by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in planning and conducting assessment for diagnosis of attention difficulties. This means you are guaranteed a high quality assessment which should be well regarded by both public and private sector health care organisations across the UK.
Please see our services and pricing page for more information
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