Evaluation and Treatment of
ADD/ADHD/LD and Learning Problems

I work with adults, adolescents, and children (6 years of age and older) with attention (ADD/ADHD) and learning problems. It is important to be thorough with assessments, because people can be distracted or impulsive for different reasons, in different circumstances. I do complete learning, attention, memory, and educational evaluations as well as personality assessments. I use observations, standardized tests, behavior ratings, response times (the TOVA test), other objective measures, and projective assessments. A typical evaluation includes one session for an evaluation interview, two or so sessions of individualized testing, and a final session to present and discuss the results. I do not have a set battery of tests that I give to everyone; we select the tests depending on the questions of the individual case.

Once we have the diagnosis, we can move on to psychological ways to manage the impulsiveness and inattention that interfere with learning and performance. With younger children, I recommend behavior management techniques to improve focus and stability and suggest remedial teaching strategies for parents and teachers. Some impulsive children have difficulty following rules, and behavior management programs are useful. With adolescents, I recommend self-teaching and study strategies, and work with problem behavior areas as required. With adults, we often work on identifying areas of strength and capitalizing on those. Often with adults, there is important work to do regarding career choices, taking ADD/ADHD into consideration.

Procrastination and/or failing to finish things are common problem areas to address with all ages. For people who have attention, learning, or memory problems, interpersonal relationships can sometimes be troublesome, and we address those problems as well.

Some people want to try medicine to help in managing ADD/ADHD symptoms. I can refer you to physicians or other specialists who treat these problems. Even for people who end up taking medicine, it is helpful for them to learn as much as possible about psychological management of ADD/ADHD.

I have done post-doctoral work with adults who have ADD/ADHD at the Veterans Hospital in Richmond, VA and at Dominion Hospital in Falls Church, VA. I have done post-doctoral work in evaluation and treatment with children and teenagers at Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins Medical School, Child Development Center at Medical College of Virginia, Dominion Hospital, and Woodburn Community Mental Health Center/Fairfax Juvenile Offender Program.

I am a member of CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and the Learning Disability Association.