AGC Pediatrics offers comprehensive treatment for developmental and behavioral disorders, including ADD/ADHD. If you suspect that your child suffers from attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, or any other behavioral difficulties, contact Nurse Mary Stewart to schedule an initial consultation with one of our healthcare providers.
Finding the Right ADHD Doctor
As more and more research about ADD and ADHD surfaces, it has become clear that Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder are real medical conditions that require expert treatment. The team at AGC Pediatrics in Calhoun, Georgia specializes in the treatment or neurobehavioral disorders like ADD and ADHD, and offers support for both parents and children. Find out why your child needs an ADD-specific doctor, and how to choose the best one.
ADD/ADHD Treatment Resources
Before your child begins treatment for ADD/ADHD or any other behavioral concerns at AGC Pediatrics, please review the following materials provided.
ADD/ADHD Consultation Information
Find out how to schedule your initial consultation with one of our healthcare providers, and review AGC Pediatrics’ policies regarding ADD/ADHD treatment and medication.
ADHD/ADD Assessment Forms
Before your child begins treatment for behavioral disorders at AGC Pediatrics, please review and complete the following NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment forms. Below, you’ll find one form for parents, and one for a teacher or professional who is familiar with your child’s daily behavior.
ADD/ADHD Consultation Information
Find out how to schedule your initial consultation with one of our healthcare providers, and review AGC Pediatrics’ policies regarding ADD/ADHD treatment and medication.
ADHD/ADD Assessment Forms
Before your child begins treatment for behavioral disorders at AGC Pediatrics, please review and complete the following NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment forms. Below, you’ll find one form for parents, and one for a teacher or professional who is familiar with your child’s daily behavior.
| Initial ADHD Parent Assessment |
| Initial ADHD Teacher Assessment |
In order to evaluate your child’s progress, the staff of AGC Pediatrics also provides follow-up assessment forms:
| ADHD Parent Follow-up Assessment |
| ADHD Teacher Follow-up Assessment |
ADHD Therapy Consent
In order to fully treat ADHD, AGC Pediatrics recommend regular therapy sessions in order to care for your child's emotional and behavioral well-being. To begin therapy with a child, AGC Pediatrics must have written consent from the the parent or guardian. The AGC Pediatrics Therapy Parent Agreement Form can be found below.
In order to fully treat ADHD, AGC Pediatrics recommend regular therapy sessions in order to care for your child's emotional and behavioral well-being. To begin therapy with a child, AGC Pediatrics must have written consent from the the parent or guardian. The AGC Pediatrics Therapy Parent Agreement Form can be found below.
| ADHD Therapy Parent Agreement |
How Do I Know if My Child Has ADD/ADHD?
Because many of the behaviors associated with ADD/ADHD, such as inattentiveness, poor memory, and impulsivity, are common behaviors observed in children, it can be difficult to determine whether your child has this neurological condition. To make matters worse, there are many myths about ADHD that pass as common knowledge. In some cases, a child with ADHD doesn’t always act out. Some children with ADD or ADHD do display signs of hyperactivity, but many others are simply quiet and inattentive.
The three defining characteristics of ADD/ADHD are inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
A child who is inattentive will:
A child who is hyperactive will:
A child who is impulsive will:
The three defining characteristics of ADD/ADHD are inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
A child who is inattentive will:
- Not pay attention to details.
- Become bored with tasks before finishing them.
- Be easily distracted.
- Have difficulty remembering things.
- Have difficulty following instructions.
A child who is hyperactive will:
- Fidget constantly.
- Have difficulty sitting quietly.
- Talk excessively.
- Have a quick temper.
- Move around constantly.
A child who is impulsive will:
- Act without thinking.
- Interrupt others.
- Have trouble waiting in a line.
- Have temper tantrums and outbursts.
- Have difficulty completing detail-oriented tasks.
Diagnosing ADD/ADHD
There is no one defining symptom for determining whether a child has Attention Deficit Disorder. Many factors may play a role, including learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, and underlying medical conditions. Only a medical professional can properly diagnose ADD/ADHD.
Because many other factors be at play, your pediatrician will need to use the following diagnostic tools to determine if your child has ADD/ADHD:
· Comprehensive checklist of symptoms
· Medical and behavioral history of your child
· Full medical examination
Every case of ADD/ADHD looks a little different. In order for a pediatrician or behavioral specialist to diagnose your child with the disorder, the following requirements must be met.
· Severity. Your child’s ADD/ADHD symptoms must have a negative impact on your child’s daily activities.
· Duration. ADD/ADHD cannot be diagnosed with certainty unless the symptoms have lasted for 6 months or more.
· Environment. ADD/ADHD symptoms present themselves in multiple environments, such as school, work, or home. If your child only displays these symptoms in one setting, then ADD/ADHD is probably not the cause.
Because many other factors be at play, your pediatrician will need to use the following diagnostic tools to determine if your child has ADD/ADHD:
· Comprehensive checklist of symptoms
· Medical and behavioral history of your child
· Full medical examination
Every case of ADD/ADHD looks a little different. In order for a pediatrician or behavioral specialist to diagnose your child with the disorder, the following requirements must be met.
· Severity. Your child’s ADD/ADHD symptoms must have a negative impact on your child’s daily activities.
· Duration. ADD/ADHD cannot be diagnosed with certainty unless the symptoms have lasted for 6 months or more.
· Environment. ADD/ADHD symptoms present themselves in multiple environments, such as school, work, or home. If your child only displays these symptoms in one setting, then ADD/ADHD is probably not the cause.
What Can You Do For Your Child?
As the parent of a child with ADD or ADHD, you can:
· Provide your child with consistency, structure, communication, and clear behavioral rules based on concrete rewards and consequences.
· Allow your child to get plenty of exercise and make sure that he or she remains on a healthy diet.
· Show your child unconditional love, support and encouragement for good behaviors.
The first step to getting your child help with ADD or ADHD is to call your pediatrician. If your child displays symptoms typical of ADD or ADHD, contact AGC Pediatrics at (706) 625-5900. We offer appointments at our Cartersville and Calhoun locations.
· Provide your child with consistency, structure, communication, and clear behavioral rules based on concrete rewards and consequences.
· Allow your child to get plenty of exercise and make sure that he or she remains on a healthy diet.
· Show your child unconditional love, support and encouragement for good behaviors.
The first step to getting your child help with ADD or ADHD is to call your pediatrician. If your child displays symptoms typical of ADD or ADHD, contact AGC Pediatrics at (706) 625-5900. We offer appointments at our Cartersville and Calhoun locations.