ADD And Developmental Assessments in Peachtree City

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ADD and Developmental Assessments Q & A

 

Developmental Assessments

What is a developmental assessment?

During a developmental assessment, Dr. O’Heron evaluates your child’s physical, intellectual, social, and emotional progress according to where they should typically be at their particular age. She may work with a group of other professionals, including:

• A child psychologist
• A language specialist
• An occupational therapist
• A physical therapist

Depending on your child’s age, the evaluation may include:

• Physical exam
• Play observation
• Hearing and vision screenings
• Standardized tests
• ADD assessments

In addition to being a highly trained pediatrician and OB/GYN, Dr. O’Heron has a degree in special education and professional experience working with children with autism and other developmental concerns.

When would my child need a developmental assessment?

Most children meet certain developmental milestones at specific ages, such as rolling over by 6 months or waving “bye-bye” at 1 year. Dr. O’Heron looks for and asks questions about these milestones during your child’s routine checkups, but she can also teach you what to expect at home.

If your child fails to meet milestones by a certain age, it may be a sign of a developmental delay. This doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem, but you should discuss the issue with Dr. O’Heron. Depending on your child’s needs, she may refer you to a specialist for early intervention or provide additional resources on how to promote development at home.

What developmental and behavioral issues affect children?

Common developmental and behavioral disabilities among children include:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• Learning disorders
• Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
• Speech and language delays
• Hearing loss
• Vision impairment

Dr. O’ Heron helps you identify early signs of these and other problems that may affect your child’s development.

Why are developmental assessments important?

In many cases, developmental disabilities aren’t diagnosed until a child starts to have a difficult time in school. At that point, opportunities for early treatment may have been missed and significant delays might have already occurred.

By offering developmental assessments, Dr. O’Heron helps your child get early intervention services to improve their development before they start school. Services are tailored to your child’s needs but may include professional help with skills such as walking, talking, and social interaction.

To learn more about developmental assessments for your child, call Lifeboat Medical Associates or book an appointment online.

ADD Assessments

ADHD can interfere with your child’s ability to function in school and in regular activities, but ADHD assessments at Lifeboat Medical Associates in Peachtree City, Georgia can help them get on the right track. OB/GYN and pediatrician Dr. Sara O’Heron also has a degree and professional experience in special education. She carefully evaluates your child to diagnose ADHD. If you think your child may have ADHD, don’t hesitate to call or book an appointment online.

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common problem that affects an estimated 6.4 million children in the United States. Although ADHD is most often diagnosed in children and teens, the disorder may continue into adulthood.

You may have heard this disorder referred to as ADD, describing someone with attention problems without hyperactivity, but that term is no longer used.

What are the types and symptoms of ADHD?

There are three types of ADHD:

Inattentive – Inattentive ADHD is similar to the condition that used to be called ADD. A child with inattentive ADHD has trouble focusing, which may manifest as the following behaviors:

• Easily distracted from work or play
• Daydreams or has difficulty paying attention
• Doesn’t seem to listen
• Is disorganized
• Frequently loses important things
• Forgets things often
• Frequently avoids doing things that require prolonged mental effort

 

Hyperactive/impulsive – Hyperactivity and impulsivity may cause these behaviors:

• Constantly in motion
• Can’t play quietly
• Talking too much
• Not being able to sit still
• Running, jumping, and climbing at inappropriate times
• Blurting out answers or interrupts people before they’re finished speaking

 

Combined – Your child may have combined ADHD if they show symptoms of inattention along with hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Symptoms of ADHD can affect your child’s performance in school, extracurricular activities, and social situations, but an assessment at Lifeboat Medical Associates is the first step toward getting them the help they need.

How do you diagnose and treat ADHD?

Dr. O’Heron is an expert in childhood developmental and behavioral issues such as ADHD. If she suspects your child has ADHD, she begins with an assessment.

There’s no single test to diagnose ADHD. Dr. O’Heron works with you, your child, their school, and any other caregivers to determine whether they have ADHD. In addition to thoroughly reviewing your child’s behavior and full medical history, Dr. O’Heron performs a physical and neurologic exam.

If your child has ADHD, Dr. O’Heron recommends a treatment plan that addresses their specific needs. This may include a referral to a mental health specialist or suggestions for developing an individualized education plan (IEP) or 504 plan for accommodations at school.

If you think your child struggles with ADHD, call or book online to schedule an assessment today.