PART OF MCFERRAN PSYCHIATRY

ChildPsychPA

Compassionate psychiatric care for children and families

Support, clarity, and steady guidance for parents navigating their child's mental health.

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ChildPsychPA

What We Help With

For Parents

Evaluations

FAQ

Schedule

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can affect children and adolescents in many different ways. While some children are noticeably hyperactive, others struggle more with attention, organization, emotional regulation, or academic performance.

Symptoms may become more noticeable as school demands increase, but ADHD is not simply a problem of behavior, motivation, or effort. Many children with ADHD are intelligent, creative, and hardworking, yet continue to struggle with challenges that affect daily functioning.

For Parents

What We Help With

ChildPsychPA provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management for children and adolescents, including:

ADHD

Challenges with attention, organization, and emotional regulation at home and school.

Anxiety

Worry or stress that interferes with school, sleep, or daily life.

Mood and behavioral concerns

Changes in mood, irritability, or behavior that seem out of proportion to the situation.

Diagnostic clarification

When symptoms overlap and it's unclear what's really going on.

Common Signs of ADHD in Children and Adolescents

Children and teens with ADHD may experience:

  • Difficulty sustaining attention during schoolwork or conversations

  • Frequent forgetfulness

  • Trouble following multi-step instructions

  • Losing assignments, personal belongings, or important materials

  • Excessive talking or interrupting others

  • Problems with organization and time management

  • Emotional outbursts or frustration intolerance

  • Academic underperformance despite adequate intelligence and effort

  • Ongoing conflict related to homework, routines, or responsibilities

  • Difficulty remaining seated when expected

Symptoms can look different depending on a child's age, personality, and ADHD presentation.

When Should a Child Be Evaluated?

Many children are energetic, distracted, or impulsive at times. An evaluation may be helpful when symptoms are persistent, occur across multiple settings, and interfere with functioning at school, home, or in relationships.

Parents often seek evaluation when they notice:

  • Increasing academic struggles

  • Frequent teacher concerns

  • Ongoing difficulties with organization or task completion

  • Significant emotional dysregulation

  • Behavioral challenges that seem disproportionate to the situation

  • Concerns that anxiety, learning difficulties, or ADHD may be contributing to symptoms

Comprehensive ADHD Evaluation

ADHD evaluations involve more than completing a checklist.

At McFerran Psychiatry, evaluations focus on understanding the child's developmental history, current symptoms, academic functioning, family observations, and any other factors that may be affecting attention, behavior, or emotional well-being.

Conditions such as anxiety, depression, learning disorders, sleep problems, and other mental health concerns can sometimes mimic or overlap with ADHD symptoms. The goal is to develop a clear understanding of what is contributing to the difficulties a child is experiencing.

Treatment for ADHD in Children and Adolescents

Treatment recommendations are individualized and may include:

Medication management when appropriate

Parent education and support

School accommodations and advocacy

Behavioral strategies

Organizational and executive functioning supports

Coordination with therapists, pediatricians, and school personnel when appropriate

The goal is not simply symptom reduction but helping children and adolescents function more successfully at home, in school, and in their daily lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • ADHD symptoms often begin in childhood, though the age at which diagnosis becomes appropriate varies depending on the child's developmental stage and symptom pattern. A comprehensive evaluation helps determine whether symptoms are consistent with ADHD or another explanation.

  • Yes. Anxiety, sleep problems, learning difficulties, depression, and other conditions can sometimes produce symptoms that resemble ADHD. This is one reason a thorough evaluation is important before making treatment decisions.

  • No. Treatment plans are individualized. Medication can be highly effective for many children, but recommendations depend on symptom severity, functional impairment, family preferences, and the child's overall clinical picture.

  • Yes. ADHD commonly impacts attention, organization, time management, task completion, and executive functioning skills, all of which can affect school performance.

SCHEDULE AN ADHD EVALUATION

Ready for clarity?

McFerran Psychiatry provides ADHD evaluation and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults throughout Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maine & New Jersey via telehealth.

OPTION 1 · SELF-PAY

Paying out of pocket?

Superbills available upon request

Pediatric evaluation

$400

Pediatric follow-up

$200

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OPTION 2 · INSURANCE

Using insurance?

Available for Pennsylvania & Rhode Island patients

Eligible Pennsylvania and Rhode Island patients can verify benefits, estimate their out-of-pocket costs, and schedule online through Headway.

  • Check eligibility online

  • View your estimated cost

  • Schedule immediately if covered

  • No referral required

  • Insurance billing handled through Headway

BOOK WITH SELF-PAY →

ChildPsychPA is part of McFerran Psychiatry

Telehealth psychiatric care in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maine & New Jersey

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