Telephone: (212) 598-6490
Facsimile: (212) 598-7605

What is Attention Deficit Disorder?

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a common neuropsychiatric condition affecting up to 9% of school age children. The disorder often persists into adulthood, with up to 2/3 of individuals with the condition in childhood having continued symptoms into adulthood. The appropriate diagnosis and treatment of ADD is critical as up to 17 million children and adults in the New York Metropolitan area may have the condition.

What are the Symptoms of ADD?

The symptoms of ADD include:

• Difficulty paying attention
• Periods of increased attention or hyperfocus
• Interrupting others when speaking and difficulty waiting for one's turn Being easily distracted
• Difficulty planning or following instructions
• Fidgeting or constantly moving
• Always feeling "on the go"
• Procrastination and trouble meeting deadlines
• Difficulty with organization
• Acting impulsively
• ADD can flare up during periods of increased stress (such as school or work), during group settings and when tasks seem difficult or tedious.

ADD can also occur concomitantly with other neurologic (learning disabilities, tic disorders or Tourette's Syndrome) or psychiatric ( such as mood or anxiety disorders) conditions.

People with ADD are often creative and highly energetic. They see the world in unique and wonderful ways, and have many strengths. However, ADD can cause problems in relationships, and can diminish performance in work and school.

What is the HJD/NYU ADD Center?

The mission of the HJD/NYU ADD Center is to provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment to children and adults with ADD throughout their lifespan.

The experienced staff at the ADD Center offer state-of-the-art, multi-disciplinary treatment approaches to both children and adults with ADD.

Our treatment team consists of clinicians from varying specialties, including psychiatry, neuropsychology, child psychology and neurology who have particular expertise in working with individuals and families with ADD. We provide special outreach to adults with ADD - a unique program in the New York Metropolitan area. Additionally, we also treat associated neurological and psychiatric conditions if present.

Our services include:

• Diagnostic evaluation
• Neuropsychological testing
• Medication management
• Liaison with schools and employers for establishing accommodation programs
• Cognitive/behavioral therapy
• Parenting skills training
• Several research studies are also available regarding new treatments and tools for the diagnosis and treatment of ADD.

Research: HJD/NYU ADD Center

Several research projects are currently being conducted or are planned at HJD/NYU ADD Center. These projects include:

• A placebo-controlled trial of a novel Norepinephrine and Dopamine Re-uptake Inhibitor in adults with ADD
• The prevalence of ADD in patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder vs. Panic Disorder (in conjunction with the New York Veterans Affairs Medical Center)
• Pre-pulse inhibition of startle and startle amplitude as a diagnostic measure and a measure of treatment response in patients with ADD (in conjunction with the New York Veterans Affairs Medical Center)
• Treatment and prevalence of sleep disturbances in patients with ADD receiving treatment with stimulants.