• Predominantly Inattentive: Primary symptom is difficulty sustaining attention
• Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive: Primary symptoms are hyperactivity and impulsive behavior
• Combined type: A hybrid of the two classifications above
• Measurements of height, weight, head circumference (infants/toddlers), blood pressure, and calculations of proportions
• Sensory screening for vision and hearing
• Lab testing for anemia, lead exposure, hyperlipidemia, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases
• Developmental/Behavioral Health Screening for global development, autism, mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, substance use, sexual activity
• Complete physical examination
• Immunizations to protect from communicable diseases
• Anticipatory guidance on a wide range of issues
• Addressing of concerns raised by parent and/or child
For a complete listing of recommended care by age according to the Bright Futures Preventative Pediatric Health Care Guidelines, please view and/or download the schedule here.
When diagnosing ADHD, children are also evaluated for other possible conditions that could either be present along with ADHD or may masquerade as ADHD. Among those considered are cognitive deficits, learning disabilities, dyslexia, processing disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, and tic disorders (such as Tourette’s).
• Environmental modifications: There are many modifications that can assist individuals with ADHD. Many of these modifications can be incorporated into the school environment through either a 504 Plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
• Medications: There are a wide array of options including both stimulants and non-stimulants. Each option presents with expected benefits and potential side effects.
• Behavior Therapy: Reward systems, Social skills training, Parenting skills training, and Family therapy are all options to assist
• Medical Devices: There is a new device cleared by the FDA that uses Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS)
View Other Services Offered
Preventative Health Care encompasses a wide variety of services to both promote good health and prevent diseases. We provide preventative health care based on the American Academy of Pediatrics Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision.
Click here to learn more about Preventative Health Care.
Peds First Pediatrics is available 7 days a week to provide care for when your child is ill. We limit booking for acute illnesses such as fever, ear pain, sore throat to the day you call for the appointment. We kindly request that you call as early in the day as you recognize that you wish to have your child evaluated.
Click here to learn more about our same day sick appointment availability.
We aim to educate families and encourage breastfeeding. We provide access to an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant to support all families that are attempting to breastfeed. Peds First also seeks to identify and assist mothers who are suffering with post-partum depression.
Click here to learn more about our Breastfeeding Support Services.
Peds First provides evaluations for concussions in the event an injury is sustained. If concussion is of concern, we provide monitoring of symptom progression and establish appropriate limits on return to activity. When available we utilize individualized baseline performance measurements of physical and cognitive skills to assist with post concussion management.
Click here to learn more about Concussion Management.
Our Care Coordination Team is constantly evolving in an attempt to minimize "Gaps in Care." We seek to identify the barriers that families face in receiving proper care and assist them in clearing those barriers.
Click Here to Learn More About Our Team
The old adage states “You are what you eat.” To a large extent, this is accurate – optimal nutrition is one factor to help you live a longer and healthier life. However, what is optimal depends on the individual, and this is the focus of our nutrition department.
Click here to learn more about our Nutrition Support services.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the smaller airways in the lungs of nearly 1 in 10 children. We actively seek to identify children that are at risk for having asthma so that we may provide the proper education, monitoring, and therapy as needed to minimize both short and long term consequences of poorly controlled asthma.
Click here to learn more about Asthma Management
A 2018 study in The Journal of Pediatrics demonstrated that among children ages 3 to 17 years, about 3% suffer from depression and 7% from anxiety. Of great concern is that more than 1 in 5 of these children went untreated for their condition. We seek to identify those children at risk for mental health conditions so that we can provide assistance where appropriate.
Click here to learn about our Mental Health Services.
ADHD is a common condition that affects children more than just academically. It can cause difficulty in all avenues of life, and when severe can contribute to the development of other mental health concerns such as depression and low self esteem. We seek to identify and manage this condition to maximize the success of those affected.
Click here to learn more about our ADHD Management services.
What is ADHD?
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common chronic condition that starts in childhood and often continues into adulthood. There are three classifications of ADHD that are dependent on which symptoms are present:
- Predominantly Inattentive: Primary symptom is difficulty sustaining attention
- Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive: Primary symptoms are hyperactivity and impulsive behavior
- Combined type: A hybrid of the two classifications above
Program Goals
- To identify children at risk for ADHD through history, examination, and use of standardized screening instruments
- To formally assess those at risk and experiencing difficulty in any environment
- To assist in providing appropriate modifications to the educational environment to promote success
- To prescribe medication where appropriate and monitor for both benefits and potential side effects
- To manage or facilitate specialist referrals where appropriate when other concerns are also present
Diagnosing ADHD
ADHD is generally diagnosed in elementary school. When older children are diagnosed, one of the criteria is that symptoms were present prior to 12 years of age. Diagnosis is based partly on history and observation during the office visit and partly through the use of standardized assessment tools. In our office we utilize Vanderbilt Assessments, though there are others that are validated for such use. The Vanderbilt Assessments should ideally be completed prior to the office visit. There are two parts to Vanderbilt Assessments – one is for the teacher(s), one is for the parent to complete.
When diagnosing ADHD, children are also evaluated for other possible conditions that could either be present along with ADHD or may masquerade as ADHD. Among those considered are cognitive deficits, learning disabilities, dyslexia, processing disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, and tic disorders (such as Tourette’s).
ADHD Management
ADHD can be managed in multiple ways and each child is considered unique
- Environmental modifications: There are many modifications that can assist individuals with ADHD. Many of these modifications can be incorporated into the school environment through either a 504 Plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
- Medications: There are a wide array of options including both stimulants and non-stimulants. Each option presents with expected benefits and potential side effects.
- Behavior Therapy: Reward systems, Social skills training, Parenting skills training, and Family therapy are all options to assist
- Medical Devices: There is a new device cleared by the FDA that uses Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS)
Additional ADHD Resources
There are many ADHD resources available on the internet. These are well regarded and reliable sources. Every child is different, and what can assist one child may hinder another. The care we provide is based on established guidelines but individualized to your child’s specific needs.
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD)