Specialized Wellness Counseling for Peak Performance
Setting Your Child Up for Success
After recognizing the critical shortage of mental health providers, which often results in long wait times for patients needing care. Kelly-Johnston Counseling realized that patients shouldn’t have to wait months to receive the help they need and believes in providing timely care when it matters most.
Driven by a commitment to “do it better,” KJC envisions a practice that prioritized availability, dedicated to offering personalized and compassionate care without the delays typical in the field.
With attention to detail KJC ensures that patients receive the right services at the right time, achieving the highest possible quality of life.
Everything about you and your specific needs are taken into account.
Your care is personalized, holistic, and compassionate.
Q. How is ADHD diagnosed?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is diagnosed in children and adolescents by a clinical interview with a child mental health professional who is trained to evaluate and diagnose. Most commonly, these are mental health professionals. Neuropsychological testing can suggest the diagnosis, but without a clinical assessment, are not enough to make the diagnosis.
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, a child must have at least six ADHD symptoms of either inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, or both. In addition, these symptoms must be present for at least 6 months or longer, be present before the age of seven and cause significant impairment or difficulties in two or more settings, such as home, school/work or social settings.
The symptoms of inattention include having difficulty maintaining attention, having difficulties listening or following instructions, making careless mistakes, avoiding tasks that require a sustained focus, being forgetful, getting distracted easily and losing things easily. The symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity include having difficulty engaging in quiet activities, being restless (such as leaving the classroom), excessively talking or blurting out answers, often interrupting others and having difficulty with waiting their turn.
Q. How do I get my child diagnosed with ADHD?
Your child can get diagnosed with ADHD by a mental health professional. While school psychologists may not be authorized to diagnose your child, they can often help identify symptoms of ADHD and refer you to an outside mental health professional for a formal assessment and diagnosis.
Here at Kelly-Johnston Counseling, we offer the highest quality of training in the field.
What Resources or Accommodations Must Schools Provide for Kids with ADHD?
All students are guaranteed a free and public education, and schools must take steps to accommodate children with ADHD and other disabilities. Schools can support this requirement through accommodations such as offering extra time on tests or special education services.
Students with disabilities attending public schools are protected from discrimination under both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1975. The ADA is comparable – and in many areas the same – to Section 504. The difference is that Section 504 applies "only" to public schools and other entities receiving federal funding. The ADA extends coverage of Section 504 to all state and local entities, including private schools, regardless of whether they receive financial assistance from the federal government.
If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, and it appears that they are not showing adequate progress while using the accommodations in their 504 plan, they may need further testing. If this is the case for your child, you can request an individual evaluation. This will determine if your child qualifies to receive special education services.
If you believe your child has ADHD and needs an assessment, make your appointment today. Time is of the essence in helping your child experience academic success.