Focus of Study:
How does medication aimed at helping Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) affect a child or an adult?
Children
Teachers, Drs, Psychologists and parents often wonder if their child’s performance might be improved with medication to treat ADHD. With inconclusive research about how medications affect a developing child, many parents voice concerns about giving their children ADHD medications.
Adults
Similarly many adults wonder if their performance at work and daily life is impeded by their ability to “pay attention”. Health professionals and drug companies sometimes suggest that the cause of these problems may be ADHD or ADHD (henceforth referred to as ADHD). A frequent recommendation is to use medication to treat ADHD symptoms. Other than checklists, PET scans or EEG assessments, how can one tell how these medications affects them?
Current testing for ADHD/ADHD
One of the most commonly used ways to assess ADHD is through direct observation or standardized testing by a trained professional such as a Dr or Psychologist. In addition, these professionals often use rating scales and feedback from individuals who are familiar with the child or adult. These second person reports lack objective data to corroborate the mediations' effects.
Current prescription for medications
A common practice for prescribing medications to treat ADHD is to base it on the individual’s age, weight and other factors such as gender. Through trial and error (i.e., observation, checklists and self reports) a brand, dosage and factors such as slow release vs. quick release is prescribed. A limitation becomes apparent: how can one quantify how these drugs affect factors which are hindered by ADHD (e.g., attention, memory, reaction time, processing speed, etc.)?
Our Protocol (Click here for a detailed explanation of the testing protocol)
Our center does not diagnose ADHD (this is left up to medical professionals such as Drs and Psychologists). However, once a diagnosis of ADHD is received and medication is prescribed, we can help to better understand how the individual diagnosed with ADHD functions in the above mentioned areas with and without the use of medication.
Testing will be conducted over two weeks. The test subject will be randomly given medication for seven days and a placebo (sugar pill made to look like the real pill) the other seven days. Each day, the individual will be asked to perform various tasks that test specific areas such as attention and memory.
Testing will be conducted using paper pencil activities, computer based tests, cognitive processes as well as motor testing. In addition, the subject's autonomic responses will be measured using an EEG (to measure brain waves) and EMG/EDR (to measure physical responses such as heart rate, temperature, etc.). In addition, possible side effects will be monitored for two weeks.
Please note that the aim of this study is NOT to diagnose an individual with ADHD, prescribe medications or affect the course of treatment. The aim of this study is to present the individual with data that objectively demonstrates how they function with and without medication. This information should then be shared with the treating physician or health professional. For more detailed testing information please click TESTING PROTOCOL
Frequently Asked Questions
Many parents have questions about our study. To see a listing of questions and answers please click here.
Cost
To provide you with the most detailed information possible, we have broken down testing in to two groups:
- Basic Testing: which includes the above mentioned ADHD testing protocol.
- Expanded testing: which includes Basic Testing but also measures areas such as Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Sensory Functioning and Speech and Language development. Please note that this option allow you us to bill insurance companies to help offset the overall cost. Click here for detailed COST information
Click here to download the application package