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www.FredParent.NET • 17 Sponsored Material Join us February 18 for the live conversation on Do you have questions for the doctors at NaCMed? Ask them live on our Facebook page during Ask The Expert February 18 th, at 8 pm. facebook.com/FredericksburgParent a sk t h e e x p e rt What childhood conditions are treated at NacMed? NaCMed provides parents with comprehensive assess- ments and neurofeedback for conditions such as ADHD or Biofeedback for conditions such as anxiety in order to guide you towards the best treatment for your child. We provide therapy services for teenagers, but refer out for younger children. Please describe NacMed's ADHD coaching and ADHD retraining. Upon completing a comprehensive evaluation at NaCMed, our education- al director can offer ADHD and aca- demic coaching and support, as well as adjustment to the disability. We can meet to discuss how the diagnosis can impact your child's education. This balance will help them become successful in an academic setting. What non-medication based ADHD treatments are available? If your child is diagnosed with ADHD and a medication regimen has been implemented, it is still imperative to incorporate non-medication based interventions in order for your child to function at their best and learn skills that they can implement inde- pendently. This can include interven- tions such as working with a behav- ioral therapist or adding technologi- cal programs like Neurofeedback to their treatment regimen. If I am concerned my child is showing signs of being on the Autism Spectrum, what should my first step be? Ask your pediatrician if they share your concerns. Your pediatrician can then refer you to a clinic, such as NaCMed, in order to complete a compre- hensive evaluation with an Autism component. You know your child best; trust your instincts. What exactly is the Autism Spectrum? Autism Spectrum is considered a developmental disorder which consists of varying levels of difficulty with regard to social interaction, verbal and non- verbal communication, as well as repetitive behaviors. Early diagnosis and intervention is vital. Are there other conditions that present themselves similarly to ADHD? Absolutely. This is why a comprehensive evaluation that assesses various domains of functioning is imperative. It is possible that the attention difficul- ties you are seeing in your child are a symptom of another underlying condi- tion. This can include anxiety, depression, sensory processing difficulties, or even visual and auditory processing deficits. A comprehensive evaluation allows a neuropsychologist to assess all of these domains in order to provide you with the most accurate answer as to why your child is presenting with ADHD symptoms. What is an IEP meeting and how will I know if my child needs one? If your child has a disability and requires special education services at school, it is important to talk to your child's school counselor or head of special edu- cation. There is a process that begins with a Child Study meeting that your school holds in order to possibly begin the special education process. An IEP is an Individualized Education Program that defines the learning needs of your child, the services and accommodations that the school will provide your child, and how the school will measure your child's progress. The IEP team, which includes parents and various school members, works together to take into consideration the learning needs of your child. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD and a medication regimen has been imple- mented, it is still imperative to incorporate non-medication based interventions... For children in middle and high school, we create a program that helps your child learn to focus on their strengths while truly under- standing how to best accommo- date for their areas of weakness. from left: Dr. Katy Yates, EdD; Dr. Catherine Ward, PsyD; Dr. Aneta Leczycki, PhD, CRC