CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
What is ADHD?
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges with attention, organization, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Typically starting in childhood, ADHD can continue through adolescence and into adulthood, but often presents differently at each stage. Symptoms of ADHD have many different causes. Our work is to uncover those causes and map out a path to improvement for each child and family.
Signs and symptoms of ADHD in children
ADHD is often present with common co-conditions like anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, speech/language disorders, and others. For example, someone with anxiety might not be able to focus or stay still nearly as well as someone without anxiety, as they are going to be preoccupied with managing the difficult emotions they are experiencing.
Our thorough assessment model uncovers all co-conditions and this leads to a precise diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to each child. Typically there are three types of ADHD—inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and a combination of the two.
Symptoms of
inattentive ADHD
Careless mistakes
Struggles with details
Difficulty sustaining attention
Seems to not listen when spoken to directly
Difficulty following instructions
Starts tasks but doesn't finish them
Disorganized
Cannot sustain mental effort (homework)
Loses things often
Is easily distracted
Forgetful
Symptoms of hyperactive-impulsive ADHD
Fidgets or squirms
Frequently leaves seat (during meals or class)
Runs or climbs on things
Unable to play quietly
Always moving
Talks excessively
Difficulty with waiting their turn
Frequently interrupts others or intrudes on their space
THE BLACKBIRD HEALTH DIFFERENCE
“At Blackbird, we go beyond the simple assumption of ADHD as a problem that can be solved through medication. We know that ADHD cannot be properly addressed without really understanding what lies underneath the symptoms.
We work with each child and family to expand upon their strengths, build skills, and provide a supportive environment that allows them to thrive.”
— Tom Peterson, Blackbird CEO
Diagnosis and understanding
To uncover the full picture and diagnose ADHD with precision, our team of specialists analyzes many factors. We take the time to understand the condition at a deeper level to establish a plan to address the right challenges in the right way.
Factors we consider
Cognitive
Behavioral
Physical
Genetic
Psychosocial
Developmental
Environmental factors, such as feedback from teachers and trusted adults
Treatments
and goals
Depending on the child’s diagnosis, significant symptom improvement in children with ADHD can be achieved through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and/or medication. Blackbird Health appreciates the importance of medication as one tool in the toolbox, but too often it is considered the only tool, and it is definitely not the case.
There are also several additional resources and therapies that support families facing ADHD challenges.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Behavioral parent training
Social skills training for children
Classroom interventions
Organizational skills training
Goals for ADHD treatment vary for each individual and family, but some may include setting and implementing strategies for:
Increased attention span
Improved focus and concentration
Task initiation and completion
Impulse control
Self-regulation
Emotional regulation
Improved coping skills
Reduce family conflict related to the patient’s behavior
““Blackbird has been exceptional … for diagnosis and treatment [of my child’s] neurodivergent behavior. The testing is thorough and the personnel and staff are competent, beyond accommodating, and kind.
If you have been searching for a place that will help you discover how your child can thrive, you found it here.”
—Randi Smith, Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Through the Blackbird Health understanding-first approach, we envision a world where every young person is fully understood and receives support building the tools they need to thrive.
