Mind Health PLLC
Carmen Pulido PhD

Many individuals have faced long-standing academic or occupational difficulties without fully understanding why. While it may be clear that something isn’t quite right, the absence of an objective explanation can be frustrating and isolating. In some cases, concerns about stigma surrounding psychological testing may have prevented people from seeking the answers they need.

A focused evaluation can provide valuable insight into an individual’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses. For example, someone may demonstrate adequate basic attention but have difficulty with sustained attention or working memory. Evaluations can also assess other executive functions such as planning, mental flexibility, verbal fluency, and abstract reasoning. Broader assessments of brain function can help estimate intellectual ability, and rule out or identify conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, or other neurodevelopmental and psychological concerns.

ADHD TREATMENT BEYOND MEDICATION

The first International Symposium on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was held at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, bringing together world-renowned researchers, clinicians, and specialists to discuss non-pharmacological interventions. Among the most promising treatments highlighted were cognitive-behavioral therapies, parent training programs, and body–mind approaches such as yoga (Dentz, et.al., 2024).

A central theme that emerged was the importance of multimodal interventions for addressing the individual’s diverse needs through personalized and context-sensitive care. For example, a patient’s difficulties with organization might be best managed through targeted skills training, while broader supports could focus on improving functioning across school, work, and social environments. The overarching goal is to develop tailored treatment plans that optimize outcomes and avoid unnecessary time and resource investment in non-relevant targets.

Research consortium for non-pharmacological interventions on ADHD; Dentz A, Soelch CM, Fahim C, Torsello A, Parent V, Ponsioen A, Guay MC, Bioulac-Rogier S, Clément C, Bader M, Romo L. Non-pharmacological treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity (ADHD). Overview and report of the first international symposium on the non-pharmacological management of ADHD. Encephale. 2024 Jun;50(3):309-328. doi: 10.1016/j.encep.2023.04.010. Epub 2024 Feb 6. PMID: 38326137.