Conditions We Treat

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic mental health condition that makes it challenging for children and adults to focus on tasks, pay attention, control impulsive behavior and even to sit still. These challenges often prevent children from functioning well in school and getting along with family members at home. Symptoms of hyperactive or impulsive ADHD include fidgeting or squirming, trouble playing quietly and excessive talking and interrupting. Symptoms of inattentive ADHD are making careless mistakes, being easily distracted, difficulty following instructions and forgetfulness.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of disorders that affect communication and interaction (autism, Asperger’s syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, and childhood disintegrative disorder). Four times as many boys as girls are diagnosed, and while there is no one cause, genetic and environmental factors together are thought to play a role.

Developmental delay is one of the most frequent problems we see in the Division of Pediatric Neurology. Such delays are often quite specific, selectively affecting one or more of the following: motor skills (large and small); language (expressive and receptive); cognition (general intelligence); learning (including reading, writing and mathematics); attention (including ADHD); memory; and behavior and emotional functioning (including autism). In other instances, a child’s developmental delay may be more global.