ADHD Specialist in New Jersey
for Children, Teens & Women
Thoughtful, comprehensive care that looks beyond the surface
A brief, non-clinical call to answer questions about the evaluation process and fit.”
Does any of this feel familiar?
Parents…
Your child is bright, but struggles to stay focused
Tasks take longer than they should—or never get finished
Emotions can feel intense, unpredictable, or overwhelming
You hear “they’re not trying hard enough”… but you know that’s not true
Anxiety, frustration, or low confidence seem to be building
For You…
You’ve always worked hard, but things feel harder than they should
You struggle with focus, follow-through, or feeling overwhelmed
You overthink, procrastinate, or feel stuck more than others seem to
You’ve wondered: Is this ADHD—or something else?
Whether you’re concerned about your child or yourself, getting clear answers can make a meaningful difference.
You’re Not Alone ~ And There Are Clear Next Steps
Many children, teens, and adults with ADHD are bright, capable, and trying hard—but something still feels harder than it should.
When ADHD is missed or misunderstood, it can show up as anxiety, frustration, low confidence, or constant overwhelm.
A comprehensive evaluation can help bring clarity, direction, and a better understanding of what’s really going on—so you can move forward with confidence.
It’s Not a Motivation Problem
ADHD is not about intelligence or effort. Many children and teens with ADHD are:
Bright, creative, and capable—but struggle with how their brain manages attention, emotions, and organization.
Without proper support, this can lead to frustration, anxiety, low self-esteem, and be at risk for future mental health complications.
With the right diagnosis and treatment, everything can change.
ADHD can appear in many different ways:
Some children’s struggles may be interpreted as behavioral concerns
Or a lack of motivation
when the underlying issue involves attention and executive functioning.
Many children with ADHD are not struggling because they are unwilling to try — they are struggling because the systems required for organization, attention, and follow-through are not working efficiently.
Parents often notice:
Homework that turns into nightly battles
Constant reminders for simple tasks
Emotional outbursts or frustration
Forgetfulness and disorganization
Difficulty following through on assignments
Inconsistent performance despite clear intelligence
Teachers raising concerns about focus or behavior
When these patterns persist, many parents begin to wonder whether ADHD or executive functioning challenges may be contributing.
“I discovered that one child’s behavior was due to boredom in class because they were well beyond the material being taught, and they needed more intellectual stimulation. A comprehensive in-depth evaluation and treatment plan helps to root out any underlying causes of symptoms.”
What Does ADHD look like?
In some children and teens, ADHD can look like anxiety, behavioral problems, or chronic frustration with school demands or daily routines at home.
It is not uncommon for these concerns to be misunderstood and sometimes misdiagnosed before the underlying challenges are fully evaluated.
A comprehensive pediatric ADHD evaluation and treatment can help clarify what’s truly happening and identify the support your child needs to succeed, preventing future mental health complications.
A comprehensive evaluation can help clarify what is truly happening and guide the next steps for support.
Signs & Symptoms of ADHD in Children
ADHD can affect attention, impulse control, activity level, and emotional regulation. Symptoms may appear differently in children and may become more noticeable in structured environments such as school.
Common signs may include:
• difficulty sustaining attention on tasks or schoolwork, daydreaming
• frequently losing or misplacing items
• trouble following multi-step instructions
• impulsive behavior or acting without thinking, hyperactivity
• excessive talking or difficulty waiting for their turn
• difficulty completing assignments or tasks
• forgetfulness and disorganization
• emotional outbursts or frustration when tasks feel overwhelming
These symptoms can affect academic performance, relationships with peers, and a child’s confidence over time and potentially result in mental health complications if left untreated.
What untreated ADHD looks like
When ADHD goes unrecognized, children often begin to feel frustrated or discouraged despite trying their best. Academic difficulties, emotional outbursts, and struggles with peers can affect confidence and self-esteem. Over time, children may start believing they are “not trying hard enough,” when in reality they may be dealing with an underlying attention regulation challenge.
Conditions That May Be Mistaken for ADHD
Several conditions can cause symptoms that look similar to ADHD. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation helps determine whether ADHD or another concern may be contributing to a child’s difficulties.
Conditions that are sometimes mistaken for ADHD include:
• Anxiety disorders – children may appear distracted due to excessive worry
• Learning disorders – academic struggles can look like attention problems
• Autism spectrum differences – social or behavioral challenges may overlap
• Sleep difficulties – poor sleep can affect attention and behavior
• Depression – low motivation or concentration problems may mimic ADHD
• Sensory processing challenges – difficulty regulating sensory input can affect focus
• Trauma or stress – emotional distress can affect attention and behavior
A careful evaluation helps identify the underlying cause, enabling treatment and support to be tailored appropriately.
Why ADHD is often Misunderstood, Missed and Sometimes Misdiagnosed
ADHD does not always look the way people expect. While some children are clearly hyperactive or impulsive, many others struggle more quietly with attention, organization, emotional regulation, and executive functioning.
In fact, many children with ADHD have good grades and do not have behavioral problems at school. They may work extremely hard to keep up with expectations, masking the amount of effort it takes to stay organized, complete assignments, or manage daily responsibilities.
Because of this, ADHD is sometimes mistaken for anxiety, perfectionism, stress, or simply a child who is “trying harder than others.”
Some children compensate successfully for years before their challenges become more noticeable.
A thoughtful evaluation helps determine whether attention and executive functioning challenges may be contributing to a child’s struggles and what support may help them function with greater confidence and ease.
ADHD is not always about intelligence or effort — many children with ADHD are bright and motivated but working much harder than their peers to keep up with everyday demands.
A Thoughtful and Integrative Approach to Pediatric ADHD
As a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I specialize in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents. My approach combines careful clinical assessment, evidence-informed treatment planning, and a compassionate understanding of the whole child and how these challenges affect both children and their families.
While medication is an option, parent and patient preferences are prioritized, and an integrative approach that includes supplementation and non-pharmacological interventions is incorporated into the treatment plan.
My professional training is also informed by a personal understanding of how neurodevelopmental differences can impact family life, routines, school experiences, and a child’s sense of self.
Evaluation & Treatment Approach
Because several conditions can appear similar to ADHD, an accurate evaluation is essential. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment reviews symptoms, developmental history, school functioning, and other factors that may affect attention and behavior. This process, along with gathering information from your child’s teachers, helps clarify whether ADHD or another concern is contributing to your child’s challenges.
A psychiatric evaluation helps determine whether ADHD may be contributing to attention, behavior, or emotional regulation difficulties.
Supporting Children with ADHD
When ADHD is properly identified and supported, many children experience meaningful improvements in focus, emotional regulation, and confidence. With the right guidance, children can develop strategies that help them succeed academically, socially, and in daily routines.
Early recognition and appropriate treatment can help prevent ongoing frustration and allow children to better use their strengths.
Request an ADHD Consultation
If your child is experiencing ongoing difficulties with attention, behavior, or emotional regulation, a psychiatric evaluation may help clarify what is contributing to these challenges, prevent complications, and optimize well-being and mental health
Frances Cybenko, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Concerned your Child has ADHD?
Support is Available
A careful ADHD evaluation can bring clarity, guidance, and a path forward for your child and your family.
Schedule a Consultation
Flexible scheduling with evening and weekend appointments available.
Frances Cybenko, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Download my digital business card here
732-941-9457 (O) or 848-217-4768 (C)
fcybenko@SoulIISoul.com
Whiting, NJ
Serving all of New Jersey via Telehealth with select in-person visits