Diagnosis and Treatment for Neurodivergent Children with OCD or ADHD

spring2019
May 4
2 min read

At Chapters Family Treatment Center, we specialize in providing compassionate, evidence-based care to adolescents and families navigating complex mental health conditions. Among the most common challenges we see in youth are Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) — especially when these diagnoses overlap in neurodivergent children.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or provider, understanding the differences between ADHD and OCD — and how to treat them effectively — is essential for long-term success.

📍 Located in Los Angeles, Chapters offers both in-person and virtual therapy tailored to adolescents and their families.

Explore Our Adolescent Programs →

🧠 What Does It Mean to Be Neurodivergent?

Neurodivergence refers to differences in brain function and processing that can affect attention, memory, social interaction, and regulation. This includes conditions like ADHD, OCD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and learning disorders.

Neurodivergent children often have unique strengths, but they may also face significant hurdles — especially when behaviors are misunderstood or mislabeled.

🔍 ADHD and OCD: What’s the Difference?

Though ADHD and OCD can present similarly — distractability, restlessness, emotional intensity — their causes and treatment differ:

Table comparing ADHD and OCD. ADHD: difficulty focusing, impulsive, inattentive. OCD: intrusive thoughts, repetitive behaviors, irrational focus.

Many of our clients have co-occurring ADHD and OCD — requiring an integrated, trauma-informed approach.

Learn About Our Dual Diagnosis Services →

✅ Accurate Diagnosis: Why It Matters

Proper diagnosis of ADHD or OCD — particularly in neurodivergent youth — requires more than a checklist. At Chapters, we use a multidisciplinary approach including:

Structured diagnostic interviews with both child and caregivers
Input from schools and pediatricians
Screening for co-occurring disorders (including ASD and anxiety)
Consideration of cultural, social, and developmental factors

Our clinical team works closely with families to ensure they feel seen, heard, and empowered throughout the process.

💡 Evidence-Based Treatment for OCD & ADHD

At Chapters Family, we combine compassion with clinical excellence to create customized treatment plans. Our services often include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

& ERP

Especially effective for OCD, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) helps children face fears without giving in to compulsions.

Parent Coaching & Family Therapy

We help caregivers manage behaviors at home and support emotional development — without reinforcing compulsions or avoidance.

Medication Management

In some cases, medications for ADHD or OCD are prescribed and closely monitored by our psychiatric team.

School Collaboration & IEP Support

We coordinate with educators to implement appropriate accommodations and ensure continuity of care.

Creative Arts & Performing Arts Therapy

Our performing arts-based therapies provide a unique outlet for self-expression and healing — especially effective for teens who feel misunderstood.

Discover Our Creative Arts Therapy Program →

🌟 Why Families Choose Chapters

We are proud to be leaders in adolescent mental health in Los Angeles, offering inclusive, affirming, and trauma-informed services. Our team is passionate about helping families feel confident, connected, and capable.