Our physicians at Carithers Pediatric Group in Jacksonville Florida have all undergone training in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD in children. We understand ADHD and work to educate our families and children on treating this condition in a healthy way. To understand ADHD, first consider that children are often more active, more exuberant, more impulsive and less attentive than adults. This is usually very normal. However, there are times that these behaviors may be extreme even for the child’s age. Children whose problems with attention, hyperactivity, and lack of inhibition reach a certain level may have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, can be classified into three different subtypes. ADHD Predominantly Inattentive means that the person has difficulty with paying attention. ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive means that the person has difficulty being hyperactive or impulsive. ADHD Combined Inattentive and Hyperactive-Impulsive mean that the person has difficulty with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD can manifest in many ways in school-aged children. Poor academic performance, difficulty interacting with peers and misbehavior at school can all be symptoms of ADHD in children.

Diagnosing ADHD in Children

If you are concerned your child has ADHD, or if your child’s teacher has expressed concern to you that your child might have ADHD, we welcome the opportunity to evaluate your child for this disorder. Our Jacksonville Fla location pediatric medical professionals feel confident that we can assist in the development of an appropriate ADHD treatment plan with you for your child if that diagnosis is made. We realize that every child is different and should be approached as such when considering an ADHD diagnosis.

Our website contains a link with instructions for your child’s Initial Visit Evaluation. At least one week prior to your initial ADHD visit, we recommend you visit our website and review the instructions for the visit. There will be several forms to download and complete. Some of those forms will need to be completed by your child’s teacher(s) or tutor(s). Therefore, please allow yourself adequate time to get those forms completed and returned to you prior to the visit. We neither require nor recommend that your child’s teacher(s) or tutor(s) mail their completed forms confidentially to our office. We would rather you bring all the forms together to the visit.

If a diagnosis of ADHD is made and therapy is initiated, we require a Follow- Up Visit Evaluation from both Parent and Teacher. (Follow -Up ADHD Self Reporting Scale for teens and young adults) every three months, preferably with the same provider, to monitor your child’s progress while on medication. At those visits, we discuss your child’s school performance and social interactions as well as any side effects your child might be experiencing to the medication. We then make any needed medication dose adjustments or medication changes. When your child is ready to be weaned from the medication, we assist in that process. There are times we need to seek the assistance of psychologists and/or psychiatrists with your child. We help you maneuver through that process if that is the case.

We look forward to working with you to assist your child in this area. We want you to feel confident that we not only have your child’s best interest in mind but also possess the knowledge and experience to appropriately assess and treat your child. Contact us at our office in Jacksonville, FL for more information on how Carithers Pediatric Group can help your child.