Marquette University Opens Clinic to Diagnose and Treat Children with ADHD Released: Sept. 19, 2005 The Center for Psychological Services at Marquette University has opened a community-based clinic to diagnose and treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 6 to 12 year old children. This is the center’s first specialty clinic for children. Experts say approximately five percent of school-aged children have ADHD. However, according to the Harvard Mental Health Letter, as many as 50% of children with ADHD are never diagnosed. The most common ADHD symptoms are the inability to sustain attention and impulsive, hyperactive behavior. Studies show that ADHD is diagnosed more often in boys than girls, but many argue that boys tend to be more disruptive than girls and get referred to clinics. The ADHD clinic is run by Dr. Alyson Gerdes, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology at Marquette whose clinical and research specialty is childhood ADHD, and Dr. John Grych, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and an associate professor of psychology. The clinic offers a comprehensive assessment to determine whether or not the child has ADHD. Following the assessment, the clinic begins behavior modification treatments that have been shown through research to be effective in dealing with ADHD. These treatments include individual or group parent training and school consultation. Social skills groups also may be offered in conjunction with parent training and school consultation. In addition to diagnosing and treating ADHD, the clinic provides in-service training and educational workshops to schools, parent groups, and mental health clinics or professional groups on topics related to the assessment and treatment of childhood ADHD and related problems. The clinic offers clinical psychology graduate students the opportunity to put theory into practice. The clinicians are closely supervised by Dr. Gerdes and Dr. Grych. The clinic’s fees are based on a sliding scale determined individually by situation. Media interested in speaking to Dr. Gerdes or Dr. Grych can contact Anne Broeker in the Office of Public Affairs at (414) 288-0286. Office of Marketing and Communication Contacts Brigid O'Brien Miller Director of University Communication Phone: (414) 288-7445 Send e-mail Anne Broeker Sr. Media Relations Specialist Phone: (414) 288-0286 Send e-mail