ADHD Specialists: Online & In-Person Treatment

What is ADHD?

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a mental health condition where individuals struggle with attention, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. Approximately 3-5% of children meet criteria for ADHD, and one third will continue to struggle with symptoms throughout adulthood. ADHD affects not only academic and occupational life, but can have a significant impact on relationships, increase one’s risk of problematic behaviors, and even affect one’s mood, anxiety and self-confidence. ADHD can be diagnosed by a mental health professional, and there are a great deal of treatment options available.

ADHD Symptoms

There are several types of ADHD, including Inattentive Type, Hyperactive/ Impulsive Type and a Combined Type. In-office and Online Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals can accurately diagnose your specific condition and discuss the best treatment options for your symptoms.

Inattentive Type:	Hyperactive/ Impulsive Type:	Combined Type:
Frequently making careless mistakes Procrastination even with important tasks Difficulty sustaining attention, even when being directly spoken to Being easily distracted or needing an “ideal environment” to work Difficulty following through with instructions and tasks Disorganized work Failing to meet deadlines Frequently losing items (phones, keys, glasses) Forgetful with daily activities (returning calls, paying bills, making appointments)	Frequent fidgeting with hands and/or feet Feeling restless when seated Difficulty engaging in quiet leisure activities such as reading Excessive talking Interrupting others and difficulty waiting one’s turn in conversation Feeling “on the go” or like “driven by a motor” Impulsive decision making, which may affect relationships, health and finances	Symptoms are present from both Inattentive and Hyperactive/ Impulsive Types

ADHD in Adults

We understand the unique challenges that adults with ADHD face. Struggles with procrastination, missed deadlines, disorganization and impulsive decisions, can affect every aspect of someone’s life. Therapy and/or medication management can help you regain control.

At Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates, we are able to provide several services for adults with ADHD. From an initial evaluation and diagnosis, to letters for accommodation for school or work, to psychotherapy and adult ADHD skills training, to medication management, we have you covered.

ADHD in Children & Adolescents

ADHD in Children and adolescents can affect not only academic performance, but a child’s relationships, behaviors and self-esteem. Being frequently corrected by teachers, struggling with grades, and/or having difficulty sustaining attention with peers can even lead a child to feelings of depression and anxiety.

At Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates, we understand the ways in which ADHD can affect children and adolescents. We will work with not only the patient, but their school, parents and pediatrician to help them reach their full potential. Treatment starts with a full and thorough evaluation for ADHD (and other mental health conditions), a discussion of treatment options, and the implementation of a plan tailored to your child’s unique needs.

ADHD Services Offered at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates

ADHD Evaluations & Diagnoses

Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates can provide initial psychiatric evaluations and diagnoses for individuals struggling with ADHD. These are typically 60-90 minutes in length, and can be scheduled with our Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. Providers can provide patients with a letter for accommodations if applicable for work and/or school. If standardized half or full day neuropsychological testing is required for accommodations, patients can schedule with Dr. Kristine Spano, who is a psychologist able to provide this service.

While most patients continue services for ADHD therapy and/or medication management with their provider, ADHD evaluations, diagnosis and letters for accommodations can also be a one-time service. The typical fee is 350 dollars with our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners.

Skills Training & Therapy for ADHD

Therapy for ADHD, including ADHD Skills Training, is a non-medication option for the treatment of ADHD. ADHD Skills Training utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and organizational strategies to help individuals gain long-lasting skills for managing their symptoms. This treatment option is a favorite among college and graduate students, but all adults with ADHD may benefit from this treatment modality.

Therapy for ADHD, including ADHD Skills Training, can be utilized by itself, or in conjunction with medication management. Appointments are available in-office for this service, and online as well, with online ADHD therapy offered to MOST US states.

Medication Management for ADHD

The providers at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates are thoughtful about the prescription of psychiatric medications. After establishing the appropriateness of medication management for ADHD, we take the time to review the risks and benefits of treatment options, including non-controlled medications. We will also spend time helping patients navigate medication shortages, by discussing options that may be more likely to be available, sending prior authorizations to insurance companies, and by providing additional resources to our patients.

We are proud of our conscientious and personalized approach to ADHD treatment and medication management, and believe that it is in stark contrast to many online psychiatric companies, who seem to be both overly diagnosing ADHD and overly prescribing controlled medications. We’ve seen a large number of patients transfer to Rittenhouse after being fed up with these companies, and they seem pretty happy with our approach as well.

ADHD Medication Management Available in these States:

California
Delaware
Florida
Massachusetts
Maryland
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
USVI

* The prescription of controlled medications via online psychiatric appointments is dependent on state and federal regulations and provider licensing. Call our scheduling specialists for up-to-date information.

ADHD FAQs

How do I choose an ADHD specialist near me?
- There are several options for finding a doctor, psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner who treats ADHD. Here are some tips on finding an ADHD specialist near you:
  - Discuss recommended providers with your primary care provider (PMD), OBGYN, Psychotherapist or other trusted medical and/or mental health professional.
  - Avoid high volume “one size fits all” online companies and practices, who either only treat ADHD, or only prescribe a select number of highly addictive medications for its treatment.

We may be biased, but if a provider writes every patient that they see for one or two medications, at high doses, and those medications are highly addictive, that provider may not be

1) properly educated in the treatment options and management of ADHD

2) not interested in taking the time to formulate an individualized plan for their patients

3) more focused on their volume of patients and income, than patient care

4) blindly ignoring the abuse potential and inherent risks of certain medications

5) acting in a way that is unethical and/or illegal.

These are not qualities to look for in your medical provider.

ADHD is a medical illness that deserves proper treatment and management, just like any other medical illness. Medications like stimulants (controlled medications for ADHD) do have a place in patient care for the appropriate patient. With that said, they’re not appropriate for everyone, and there are a great deal of options for ADHD management. We’ll be happy to have a long evaluation, review your records, and discuss all options, risks, and benefits for your treatment. You deserve that.

Why should I see a psychiatrist if I think I have ADHD?
- Difficulty with focus can be the result of non-psychiatric medications, medical illness, the onset of a mood or anxiety disorder, alcohol or illicit substance use, stress, diet or difficult life circumstances. Often adults assume that they have ADD or ADHD, when in reality the root of their symptoms lies elsewhere.

On the contrary, adults often fail to recognize that they have a treatable medical illness (ADHD) if they were not diagnosed as a child. Proper diagnosis and psychiatric treatment requires a full medical and psychiatric workup, often including laboratory studies. This requires medical professionals like Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners as opposed to therapists and psychologists.

Are adult and child ADHD the same?
- ADHD develops in childhood, and about a third of children with ADHD will continue to struggle with symptoms (and meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis) in adulthood. Therefore, adult ADHD is simply a continuation of childhood ADHD. With that said, it’s not uncommon for someone to receive their first ADHD diagnosis as an adult. One reason for this is that as we age, our personal, academic and occupational demands tend to increase. Once those demands hit a certain threshold (unique to each person with ADHD), their coping and/or organizational strategies become overwhelmed, and ADHD symptoms become more apparent and unmanageable.

What’s the difference between ADHD and ADD?
- ADHD (or AD/HD) is the umbrella term utilized by the American Psychiatric Association for Inattentive Type ADHD, Hyperactive/Impulsive Type ADHD and the Combined Type of ADHD. In the past, professionals used the terms ADHD and ADD for patients who struggled with hyperactivity and inattention respectively, but now “ADHD” encompasses all types.

What causes ADHD?
- The exact cause of ADHD is not completely understood, but similar to many neurodevelopmental disorders, studies suggest that there is a strong genetic component to developing this condition. However, many individuals without a known family history of ADHD develop ADHD, and identical twins (with the same DNA) do not have a 100% concordance rate – which suggests that there are environmental and other factors that contribute to one developing ADHD.

Who gets ADHD?
- ADHD is diagnosed among individuals of all backgrounds, genders, orientations and socioeconomic statuses. Factors that seem to increase the risk of developing ADHD include having a relative with ADHD, being the oldest sibling, and maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. Studies investigating a link between ADHD and television use, video games, high sugar diets, and vaccines have not shown a direct link.
How common is ADHD?
- ADHD affects roughly 4% of children and 1-2% of adults in the US.

Can I see a psychiatrist for ADHD online?
- Yes! Patients can schedule with the Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and Psychologists at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates for online ADHD evaluations, diagnosis, therapy and medication management. *Dependent on provider licensing and state and federal guidelines.

ADHD Resources

Our ADHD Medication Shortage Guide will tell you everything you should know about the ongoing ADHD stimulant shortage, and what your options are for getting the care you need.
Discover Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates’s YouTube channel! Discover over 100 videos on ADHD and other mental health topics with our providers.
Our National Mental Health Resouces provide you with quick access to information on many mental health topics and emergency hotlines.

Start Your ADHD Treatment with Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates Today

Appointments generally within 2-3 weeks.
Expert providers who trained at Johns Hopkins Hospital, The University of Pennsylvania, Tufts Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and similar institutions.
Many of our providers currently teach, or have taught, in Academia, and have been published in peer-reviewed Medical Journals.
Thorough and Comprehensive Care; we treat a person in their entirety, not just a singular diagnosis.
Coordination with a patient’s psychologists and medical providers.
Reasonable Fees, with initial visits approximately $350 and typical follow-ups $175.
60- or 90-minute initial visits and 20-30-minute follow-ups.

Book an appointment

ADHD FAQs

How do I choose an ADHD specialist near me?

There are several options for finding a doctor, psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner who treats ADHD. Here are some tips on finding an ADHD specialist near you:

Discuss recommended providers with your primary care provider (PMD), OBGYN, Psychotherapist or other trusted medical and/or mental health professional.

Avoid high volume “one size fits all” online companies and practices, who either only treat ADHD, or only prescribe a select number of highly addictive medications for its treatment. We may be biased, but if a provider writes every patient that they see for one or two medications, at high doses, and those medications are highly addictive, that provider may not be

1) properly educated in the treatment options and management of ADHD

2) not interested in taking the time to formulate an individualized plan for their patients

3) more focused on their volume of patients and income, than patient care

4) blindly ignoring the abuse potential and inherent risks of certain medications

5) acting in a way that is unethical and/or illegal.

These are not qualities to look for in your medical provider.

Why should I see a psychiatrist if I think I have ADHD?

Difficulty with focus can be the result of non-psychiatric medications, medical illness, the onset of a mood or anxiety disorder, alcohol or illicit substance use, stress, diet or difficult life circumstances. Often adults assume that they have ADD or ADHD, when in reality, the root of their symptoms lies elsewhere.

Are adult and child ADHD the same?

ADHD develops in childhood, and about a third of children with ADHD will continue to struggle with symptoms (and meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis) in adulthood. Therefore, adult ADHD is simply a continuation of childhood ADHD. With that said, it’s not uncommon for someone to receive their first ADHD diagnosis as an adult. One reason for this is that as we age, our personal, academic and occupational demands tend to increase. Once those demands hit a certain threshold (unique to each person with ADHD), their coping and/or organizational strategies become overwhelmed, and ADHD symptoms become more apparent and unmanageable.

What’s the difference between ADHD and ADD?

ADHD (or AD/HD) is the umbrella term utilized by the American Psychiatric Association for Inattentive Type ADHD, Hyperactive/Impulsive Type ADHD and the Combined Type of ADHD. In the past, professionals used the terms ADHD and ADD for patients who struggled with hyperactivity and inattention respectively, but now “ADHD” encompasses all types.

What causes ADHD?

The exact cause of ADHD is not completely understood, but similar to many neurodevelopmental disorders, studies suggest that there is a strong genetic component to developing this condition. However, many individuals without a known family history of ADHD, develop ADHD, and identical twins (with the same DNA) do not have a 100% concordance rate – which suggests that there are environmental and other factors that contribute to one developing ADHD.

Who gets ADHD?

ADHD is diagnosed among individuals of all backgrounds, genders, orientations and socioeconomic statuses. Factors that seem to increase the risk of developing ADHD include having a relative with ADHD, being the oldest sibling, and maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. Studies investigating a link between ADHD and television use, video games, high sugar diets, and vaccines have not shown a direct link.

How common is ADHD?

ADHD affects roughly 4% of children and 1-2% of adults in the US.

Can I see a psychiatrist for ADHD online?

Yes! Patients can schedule with the Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and Psychologists at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates for online ADHD evaluations, diagnosis, therapy and medication management. *Dependent on provider licensing and state and federal guidelines.