You’ve probably spent more time than you’d like to admit wondering why certain things feel so much harder for you than they seem to for everyone else. Maybe you’ve sat through meetings or classes watching your focus drift no matter how hard you try to hold it together. Maybe you’ve forgotten something important — again — and felt that familiar wave of frustration and self-criticism wash over you. Or maybe you’re a parent watching your child struggle at school, getting calls from teachers, and quietly worrying about what it all means for their future.
You are not lazy. You are not broken. And you are not alone.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders affecting children, adolescents, and adults — and for many people, simply having a name for what they’ve been experiencing changes everything. At The Terrebonne Group, we believe that understanding is the first step toward real and lasting change. Our team is here to listen without judgment, to help you make sense of your experiences, and to build a path forward that actually fits your life.
Our practice offers comprehensive ADHD treatment in New Orleans, combining psychological expertise with genuinely individualized care to help patients of all ages understand their symptoms, access the right support, and develop the skills they need to thrive — at school, at work, and in their relationships.
What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how a person processes information, manages attention, and regulates behavior. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or appear overly active in ways that interfere with daily life at home and at school. While many people associate ADHD with childhood, symptoms of ADHD can continue into adulthood, affecting relationships, careers, and overall well-being.
Adults with ADHD often experience difficulty staying organized, following instructions, completing tasks, and managing time effectively. They may make careless mistakes at work, struggle to follow through on responsibilities, or feel easily distracted in ways that others don’t seem to notice. These challenges are not a matter of intelligence or effort — they reflect how the ADHD brain is wired.
ADHD is typically characterized by three core presentations: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined. A person may experience symptoms differently depending on their age, environment, and whether they have co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or learning differences.
Recognizing ADHD Symptoms
Recognizing ADHD symptoms early can make a meaningful difference in a child’s development and an adult’s quality of life. Common symptoms include:
- Difficulty sustaining attention during tasks or play activities, particularly those that require effort or concentration. Children may lose focus during school lessons, while adults may struggle to complete tasks at work or at home.
- Frequently making careless mistakes on schoolwork, job tasks, or other activities, not due to lack of ability, but because the brain moves quickly from one thing to the next.
- Appearing easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or environmental stimuli, even when the person is genuinely trying to stay on track.
- Difficulty following instructions from beginning to end, especially multi-step directions that require sustained focus and working memory.
- Exhibiting impulsive behaviors, such as interrupting conversations, acting without thinking through consequences, or taking unnecessary risks without fully considering potential outcomes.
- Appearing overly active or restless — climbing, running, or fidgeting in situations where such physical activity is not appropriate, particularly common among children but sometimes present in adults as a persistent sense of internal restlessness.
- Difficulty sleeping is another commonly reported concern among individuals with ADHD, as racing thoughts and difficulty winding down can interfere with rest and recovery.
ADHD symptoms can change over time, and the way they present may shift from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood. Adolescents, for example, may show less overt hyperactivity but increased difficulty with organization and long-term planning. Adults with ADHD may have found ways to compensate for years before finally seeking a diagnosis.
How ADHD Is Diagnosed
There is no single test to diagnose ADHD. Healthcare providers use the guidelines in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to help diagnose attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on observable patterns of behavior, developmental history, and clinical assessment.
Diagnosing ADHD typically involves gathering a comprehensive history from parents, teachers, and sometimes the child themselves, combined with behavioral rating scales and clinical interviews. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that healthcare providers ask parents, teachers, and other adults about the child’s behavior across multiple settings — at home, at school, and in social situations — to build a complete picture.
At The Terrebonne Group, our psychological assessments are thorough, individualized, and designed to distinguish ADHD from other conditions that can produce similar concerns, such as anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, or sleep difficulties. Because many conditions share overlapping symptoms, an accurate evaluation is essential before beginning any course of treatment.
A comprehensive evaluation considers the patient’s full clinical picture, including family history, developmental background, school performance, and the presence of co-occurring diagnoses. Understanding the whole person — not just a checklist of symptoms — is central to our approach.
ADHD Treatment Options
Effective ADHD treatment typically involves a combination of approaches tailored to the individual's age, symptom severity, and personal circumstances. Our team provides coordinated care that draws on both behavioral therapy and medication management to help patients develop skills, reduce distress, and improve functioning across all areas of life.
Behavioral Therapy for ADHD
Behavioral therapy is a cornerstone of ADHD treatment, particularly for younger children. For children under six, behavioral therapy is recommended as the first line of treatment, with a focus on parent training to help families develop effective, consistent strategies for managing their child’s behavior at home and at school.
For older children, adolescents, and adults, behavioral therapy helps individuals with ADHD develop coping strategies, strengthen executive functioning skills, and build social skills that support healthier relationships. Therapists may use techniques drawn from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to difficulty with focus, emotional regulation, and follow-through.
Behavioral therapy is often used in combination with medication to provide a more comprehensive treatment approach for ADHD. Research consistently shows that integrated care — addressing both the psychological and neurological dimensions of the disorder — leads to better outcomes for patients of all ages.
Parents can also benefit significantly from participating in behavioral therapy, gaining practical tools to support their child’s development, reduce stress at home, and strengthen the parent-child relationship.
ADHD Medication Management
For many patients, ADHD medication is an important and effective component of treatment. Our psychiatric nurse practitioner, Dr. Lisa Legeaux, provides medication management services within our practice, allowing patients to access coordinated psychiatric care without external referrals.
Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications to treat ADHD and remain the most well-researched option available. Commonly used stimulants — including Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, and Concerta — work by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain to improve focus and reduce impulsivity. Stimulant medications come in both short-acting and long-acting formulations, giving healthcare providers flexibility in tailoring treatment to each patient’s daily schedule and needs. Short-acting stimulants offer precise control over timing and dosage, while long-acting formulations provide steady coverage throughout the school day or workday.
For patients who cannot tolerate stimulants, non-stimulants such as Strattera offer an effective alternative. Non-stimulants are also useful for patients who experience co-occurring anxiety or difficulty sleeping alongside their ADHD symptoms. Antidepressants are sometimes incorporated into a broader treatment plan when a patient also presents with depression or mood-related concerns, though antidepressants are not specifically approved to treat ADHD.
It’s important to understand that ADHD medication does not cure ADHD — medications help ease symptoms while being taken, allowing patients to engage more fully in therapy, school, work, and relationships. Research suggests that approximately 80% of children with ADHD experience fewer symptoms after finding the right medication and dosage. Finding that right medication takes time and close collaboration with a knowledgeable healthcare provider, and our team monitors progress carefully every step of the way.
Behavioral Therapy for ADHD
Behavioral therapy is a cornerstone of ADHD treatment, particularly for younger children. For children under six, behavioral therapy is recommended as the first line of treatment, with a focus on parent training to help families develop effective, consistent strategies for managing their child’s behavior at home and at school.
For older children, adolescents, and adults, behavioral therapy helps individuals with ADHD develop coping strategies, strengthen executive functioning skills, and build social skills that support healthier relationships. Therapists may use techniques drawn from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to difficulty with focus, emotional regulation, and follow-through.
Behavioral therapy is often used in combination with medication to provide a more comprehensive treatment approach for ADHD. Research consistently shows that integrated care — addressing both the psychological and neurological dimensions of the disorder — leads to better outcomes for patients of all ages.
Parents can also benefit significantly from participating in behavioral therapy, gaining practical tools to support their child’s development, reduce stress at home, and strengthen the parent-child relationship.
ADHD Medication Management
For many patients, ADHD medication is an important and effective component of treatment. Our psychiatric nurse practitioner, Dr. Lisa Legeaux, provides medication management services within our practice, allowing patients to access coordinated psychiatric care without external referrals.
Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications to treat ADHD and remain the most well-researched option available. Commonly used stimulants — including Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, and Concerta — work by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain to improve focus and reduce impulsivity. Stimulant medications come in both short-acting and long-acting formulations, giving healthcare providers flexibility in tailoring treatment to each patient’s daily schedule and needs. Short-acting stimulants offer precise control over timing and dosage, while long-acting formulations provide steady coverage throughout the school day or workday.
For patients who cannot tolerate stimulants, non-stimulants such as Strattera offer an effective alternative. Non-stimulants are also useful for patients who experience co-occurring anxiety or difficulty sleeping alongside their ADHD symptoms. Antidepressants are sometimes incorporated into a broader treatment plan when a patient also presents with depression or mood-related concerns, though antidepressants are not specifically approved to treat ADHD.
It’s important to understand that ADHD medication does not cure ADHD — medications help ease symptoms while being taken, allowing patients to engage more fully in therapy, school, work, and relationships. Research suggests that approximately 80% of children with ADHD experience fewer symptoms after finding the right medication and dosage. Finding that right medication takes time and close collaboration with a knowledgeable healthcare provider, and our team monitors progress carefully every step of the way.
ADHD in Children and Adolescents
Children and adolescents with ADHD face unique challenges that can affect their academic performance, friendships, and family relationships. When ADHD goes unidentified or untreated, it can lead to chronic stress, low self-esteem, and missed opportunities for growth during critical developmental years.
A child’s behavior at school is often the first indicator that prompts parents to seek an evaluation. Teachers may report that a child frequently loses focus, doesn’t complete tasks, disrupts the class, or struggles to follow instructions — all of which may reflect the underlying impact of the disorder rather than a lack of effort or motivation.
Early identification and treatment allow children to develop skills, build confidence, and achieve more consistent success at school and at home. Our clinicians work closely with parents and, when appropriate, with schools to ensure that children receive coordinated support that addresses their needs comprehensively.
Adolescents present their own set of considerations. As demands for independence and self-management increase, teens with ADHD may take unnecessary risks, struggle with time management, or experience intensified social difficulties. Adolescence is also a time when co-occurring conditions like anxiety and depression may become more pronounced, making an integrated approach to treatment especially important.
Adult ADHD: It's Never Too Late to Seek Help
Many adults living with ADHD were never diagnosed during childhood. They may have been described as underachievers, daydreamers, or simply disorganized — never realizing that a diagnosable and treatable disorder was contributing to their struggles.
Adult ADHD is a legitimate and well-recognized condition. Adults diagnosed with ADHD often report years of difficulty maintaining relationships, advancing professionally, or feeling as though they were constantly falling short of their own potential. Understanding that these experiences are connected to a neurological disorder — not a character flaw — can be profoundly clarifying and, for many patients, deeply relieving.
Treatment for adult ADHD may include medication management, individual therapy, behavioral strategies, and support for co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or substance use. Our team takes a whole-person approach that honors each patient’s history, strengths, and goals.
Meet Our ADHD Specialists
Monica Stevens, Ph.D.
Lisa Legeaux, DNP
Why Choose The Terrebonne Group for ADHD Treatment in New Orleans
The Terrebonne Group was founded by Dr. Leigh Anne Terrebonne to address the growing need for accessible, high-quality psychological services in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana. Our practice brings together a team of experienced clinicians — including licensed psychologists, a licensed clinical social worker, and a psychiatric nurse practitioner — who work collaboratively to provide integrated care for children, adolescents, adults, and families.
We recognize that no two patients are the same. ADHD work at our practice is always personalized, grounded in evidence, and delivered with genuine warmth and respect. Whether your needs center on comprehensive psychological assessments, behavioral therapy, medication to treat ADHD, or a combination of all three, our team is equipped to support you.
Our office serves patients throughout the Greater New Orleans area and across Louisiana via both in-person and teletherapy services. We are committed to making quality psychiatric and psychological care accessible to those who need it, with a practice culture that prioritizes integrity, compassion, and clinical excellence.
If you or your child are experiencing symptoms that may be related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, we encourage you to reach out. Our team is here to answer your questions, walk you through the evaluation process, and help you understand the full range of treatment options available at our New Orleans practice.
Insurance and Fees
At The Terrebonne Group, we are a private pay practice — which means we can focus entirely on providing high-quality, unhurried care without the constraints that insurance-driven models often impose. For many of our patients, this makes a meaningful difference. People navigating ADHD deserve time, attentiveness, and a provider who isn’t watching the clock.
Initial therapy consultations range from $165–$225 for 60 minutes depending on the specialist, with ongoing therapy sessions ranging from $160–$225 for 50 minutes. For patients pursuing medication management, Dr. Legeaux’s initial consultation is $275, with follow-up appointments ranging from $75–$150 depending on the length of the visit.
We understand that cost is a real consideration, and we want to make the process as straightforward as possible. While we do not bill insurance directly, we provide detailed superbills and will walk you through the out-of-network reimbursement process every step of the way. Many of our patients are reimbursed more than 50% of their costs, and we are happy to help you understand what your plan may cover before you begin.
Contact Us
Take the First Step Toward Clarity and Change
Living with unmanaged ADHD doesn't have to be your story. With the right diagnosis, the right treatment team, and a personalized care plan, meaningful improvement is within reach. We invite you to contact The Terrebonne Group to speak with our team and schedule an initial consultation.
Whether you're a parent seeking answers about your child's behavior, an adult who has long suspected that something more is going on, or someone already diagnosed who needs more comprehensive support — we are here to help. Reach out today and take the first step toward a clearer, more focused, and more fulfilling life.
Call us at (504) 864-0800 or send us your request through the form.
In-person sessions are available at our office in Mid-City New Orleans, and teletherapy is available throughout Louisiana.
Ready to Begin?
Contact Us
Take the First Step Toward Clarity and Change
Living with unmanaged ADHD doesn't have to be your story. With the right diagnosis, the right treatment team, and a personalized care plan, meaningful improvement is within reach. We invite you to contact The Terrebonne Group to speak with our team and schedule an initial consultation.
Whether you're a parent seeking answers about your child's behavior, an adult who has long suspected that something more is going on, or someone already diagnosed who needs more comprehensive support — we are here to help. Reach out today and take the first step toward a clearer, more focused, and more fulfilling life.
Call us at (504) 864-0800 or send us your request through the form.
In-person sessions are available at our office in Mid-City New Orleans, and teletherapy is available throughout Louisiana.
