ADHD

ADD & ADHD Therapy in Chicago

Attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are becoming increasingly more common as children become more and more stimulated in their everyday life. It’s not hard to see why children may be struggling to concentrate in school or accomplish tasks at home. It’s more than just a lack of desire to focus on a seemingly uninteresting topic, it’s a physical and psychological inability that is preventing children from focusing. This lack of attention is outside of the realm of their control and they don’t even realize it, which leads to more and more frustration from the child themselves, their teachers, parents, and even peers. ADD and ADHD can be managed, though, with the right resources. Those resources don’t always include medication, either. Let’s discuss what options are available for managing symptoms of attention deficits through counseling for ADD & ADHD in Chicago.

Understanding ADD and ADHD

Focus-related disorders like ADD and ADHD can present with a variety of symptoms. Generally, though, these symptoms can be categorized into three different key ares: Focus, Hyperactivity, and Impulse Control.

Focus-Related Symptoms

While some inattention is normal, especially in children, when it reaches the point where you’re unable to concentrate in school, follow directions, or complete simple tasks, it may be time to consider testing and therapy for ADD or ADHD. Some of the most common focus-related symptoms of ADD and ADHD include:

  • Being easily distracted
  • Difficulty following directions
  • Inability to complete tasks
  • Repeated mistakes
  • Forgetfulness
  • Difficulty prioritizing responsibilities
  • Losing belongings
  • Frequent daydreaming

Adults in a child’s life are likely not to think too much about these symptoms because, after all, kids will be kids. However, if you’re noticing that your child’s lack of focus is impairing their ability to do the things their peers are doing or that these symptoms appear in conjunction with the other types of symptoms that are common with ADD and ADHD, you may want to talk with a counselor about the treatment options available for attention deficit disorders.

Hyperactivity-Related Symptoms

When it comes to ADD and ADHD, the symptoms related to hyperactivity are key for diagnosis. Not everyone presents with symptoms of hyperactivity. Children who struggle with ADHD, as opposed to ADD, will constantly fidget and squirm, have trouble staying seated despite directions, a lack of interest or ability to play quietly, and talk excessively.

Again, we know that kids often have their own prerogative, but hyper-activity coupled with a lack of focus could be a sign of something bigger at play. It’s important to recognize the symptoms of ADD and ADHD as early as possible so that children can begin developing coping skills and limit the possibility of being held back by their disorder.

Impulse Control-Related Symptoms

Impulsivity is another key symptom of ADD and ADHD. Children who struggle with these types of disorders often have trouble waiting their turn and frequently interrupt others. Despite teaching your kids appropriate manners for various social settings, a child with ADD or ADHD simply cannot wait. They are compelled to perform whatever action has come into their head at that exact time and no amount of discipline can prevent this impulsivity. This is where adults can draw parallels between ADD or ADHD as something other than bad behavior.

ADD & ADHD Therapy in Chicago

Many parents are hesitant to seek out treatment for ADD or ADHD for a couple of reasons. First, they may not believe their child has a focus-related disorder and that the behavior is simply a phase they will grow out of. Alternatively, parents who do recognize that a behavioral disorder may be at play are resistant to professional treatment options because they don’t want to medicate their children. At Wellington Counseling Group, we strive to offer a comprehensive solution to help children and their families cope with ADD or ADHD in a way that suits their needs and preferences.

What ADHD Therapy Looks Like at WCG

A key benefit to our counseling services for ADHD in Chicago is our in-house diagnostic testing capability. Like many psychological conditions, ADD and ADHD can present independently or in conjunction with other disorders. Our comprehensive testing capabilities help us identify what each and every patient needs in order to manage and overcome their symptoms.

The insights we can glean from diagnostic testing helps us craft a therapeutic protocol that is particularly effective for that specific patient. This approach not only establishes a baseline to measure progress but also gives us the ability to quantitatively analyze results.

Additionally, Wellington Counseling Group works closely with Chicago-based healthcare professionals to ensure a seamless patient experience for all of our clients. If your child has a Primary Care Physician managing some elements of their ADD or ADHD, your therapist at WCG is happy to collaborate with them. We’ll also work with identified school personnel to ensure you’re family is receiving the support they need across all planes.

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