Test for Success: The Psychoeducational Assessment
Richard L. Glatt, M.A. (C)OACCPP, C.M.H.P.
Psychoeducational Consultant

"Throughout life, people can encounter a number of difficulties with school, work or home
situations. A Psychoeducational Assessment can be used to identify an individual’s profile of
strengths and needs in order to help them achieve their potential while realizing their goals. Such
an evaluation also provides substantially more information than more traditional group testing
and can tell about a person’s IQ or intellectual ability, attention, and social-emotional functioning
- things that are not generally assessed by schools or employers."

Is it Really AD/HD?
By Richard L. Glatt, M.A., (C)OACCPP
Psychoeducational Consultant

"Parents, physicians and teaching professionals are often faced with the question: “Is it really AD/HD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)?” when thinking about a particular child, patient or student (and sometimes even themselves). This frequently results in apprehension and hesitation about seeking assistance, since clear-cut answers and varying opinions are quite typical. Fortunately, making such a determination has never been easier, given the availability of computerized continuous performance tests."

Help for Attention and Learning Difficulties
Richard L. Glatt, M.A., (C)OACCPP
Psychoeducational Consultant

" The last article in this series outlined the availability of new computerized continuous performance testing which can assist in the objective identification of AD/HD (Attention Deficit Disorder with and without hyperactivity). The next logical question then is “What can one do after being diagnosed?” While traditional methods (i.e. psychotherapy, behaviour modification, and academic tutorial) can produce profound positive results, these techniques usually require a fair amount of time before significant change can be observed. One exception is when medication is required. Even then, often a number of trial periods are needed, which can take many weeks before the correct medication and optimal dosage are determined."

AD/HD and Addictions: What’s the Link ?
Richard L. Glatt, M.A., (C)OACCPP
Psychoeducational Consultant

"It has been a recent source of concern by parents, educators and health professionals alike as to whether or not there is a direct link between AD/HD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and Substance Use Disorders (SUD). Over the past decade, especially because of the significant increase in the prescription of stimulant medication for AD/HD, there have been many individuals who have wondered if this has had an impact on illicit drug use. As well, it has been demonstrated in the research that individual rates of cigarette smoking, marijuana, alcohol and cocaine use, and other addictive behaviours including gambling and hoarding are almost twice as likely for those having AD/HD as compared to those without AD/HD. Therefore, the question must be asked: “Does early stimulant treatment for AD/HD increase a person’s later risk for Substance Use Disorders?”

ADHD in Adults?
By Richard L. Glatt, M.A., (C)OACCPP
Psychoeducational Consultant

"Until this decade, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was only recognized as a disorder of childhood and perhaps adolescence. ADHD has been thought of as a disorder found predominantly in boys who are hyperactive with the ratio of boys to girls being approximately 5:1 to 3:1. It was also believed that children with ADHD outgrew the disorder as they approached adolescence, but that in some instances it could persist only into the teenage years. We now know otherwise."

“AD/HD”: What Is It, Who Has It?
by Richard Glatt and Brian Pearson

"Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or AD/HD, occurs in about five percent of the population, usually emerging in childhood and often persisting into adulthood. Its symptoms pertain to as many as three major types of problematic behaviour: attention-deficit, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Formerly called Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD, the contemporary name reflects mounting scientific evidence that attention-deficit and impulsivity can share common causes in the brain. Indeed, modern brain-imaging technology confirms the existence of physical differences in the brains of AD/HD sufferers, as well as unusual levels of neurological activity and concentrations of neurotransmitters, compared to persons without significant symptoms of
this disorder."

AD/HD and Learning Disabilities: What Are They and What Can We Do?
By Richard L. Glatt, M.A. Shelley-Anne Steinburg, M.S.W.
Psychoeducational Consultant Clinical Associate

"While the definitions have varied over the years for AD/HD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder) and LD (Learning Disabilities), they have more recently been moving toward
increasingly objective identification and highly effective treatment of these disorders. The two
conditions differ considerably but are both due to genetic and/or neurobiological factors which
affect one or more processes associated with attention or learning. They can also exist in both
children and adults, and are known to be lifelong."

Achieving Learning Success Through Technology
Richard L. Glatt, M.A., (C)OACCPP
Psychoeducational Consultant

"People are often faced with the difficult decision of figuring out how to deal with identified attention and learning issues. While the assessment process is intended to provide clarity and direction for the client, sometimes people are likely to just give up due to feeling overwhelmed with the myriad of suggestions offered or because no particularly useful or novel strategies have been provided. In reality, there are many effective choices available to clients trying to deal with these issues [such as AD/HD, Learning Disabilities (LD), and fine-motor delays]. It is advisable though that they begin with a maximum of two or three new interventions at a time. For this reason, the topic discussed here focuses on the benefits of using one of these suggestions. Namely, adaptive or assistive technology as an accommodation by way of a brief introduction to the concept."