(301) 592-7244

Welcome to the practice. I’m Dr. Faith Sproul, Licensed Clinical Psychologist. As a clinician and distinguished professor with other 15 years of experience, I have a passion for providing quality psychological assessments and evaluations that help people gain understanding and insight about their strengths and areas for improvement. If you have concerns related to learning, attention, or psychological functioning, then I’m your person.

​

Executive Dysfunctioning

If you notice struggles with planning, organizing, paying attention to details, managing time, and scheduling, then you or your child may have executive functioning difficulties.  Other examples are daydreaming or “spacing out” when you should be paying attention (such as during a conversation, meeting, class, etc.), trouble planning or carrying out a task because you can't visualize the finished product or goal or having difficulty motivating yourself to start a task that seems difficult or uninteresting.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

I provide assessments for executive functioning disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a biologically based, developmental disorder that can cause a person to have trouble paying attention, be hyperactive, restless, act without thinking, or struggle with self-control. These symptoms can make it difficult to function in daily life, such as at home, work, or school. ADHD symptoms can look different from person to person, and the severity of symptoms can range from mild to severe.  Symptoms must begin in childhood, but many adults also have ADHD. While most people with ADHD will experience many areas of executive function impairment, people can have executive dysfunction without ADHD. Whether you are a child or adult, an assessment will help you determine if you have ADHD and put you on the road to understanding ways to improve your daily functioning.

​

I also diagnose autism and provide information on treatment options. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can present in a wide range of ways, and symptoms can vary in severity. Some signs of autism include: 

​

Social communication: Difficulty with eye contact, responding to their name, or initiating conversations. They may also have difficulty understanding when to start or stop a conversation. 

​

Repetitive behavior: Repeating words or phrases or engaging in repetitive movements like hand flapping or rocking. 

Intense reactions: They may have intense reactions to minor changes in routine or surroundings or be very upset if they don't like a certain taste, smell, or sound. 

​

Obsessive interests: They may have very specific interests or a keen interest in certain subjects or activities. 

 

Difficulty with social interactions: They may not understand social rules, or have difficulty noticing when others are hurt or upset. 

​

Delayed language development: They may have nonverbal communication or delayed language development. 

​

Regression in skills: They may suddenly or gradually stop using some language they previously knew. 

 

Symptoms typically begin to show in early childhood, often before the age of 3. Some children with ASD may appear to develop normally, then stop gaining new skills or lose skills they once had between 18 and 24 months. This is called regression. People with ASD can have a wide range of abilities, from advanced conversation skills to being nonverbal. The severity of symptoms and specific characteristics of ASD can vary widely among individuals. Some people with autism may mask their symptoms to fit in better with others. This can include imitating the way others speak or carry themselves. Early recognition and intervention can help reduce symptoms and support development. 

 

Contact me now to discuss your concerns or schedule an evaluation. I work with children, adolescents, and adults to provide a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. Evaluations are comprehensive with a focus on various domains of functioning including intellectual, academic, executive functioning, attention, and mood/personality to best understand strengths and areas for improvement. Evaluations focus on ADHD, Autism, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Additional areas include learning problems/disabilities, admissions testing, college accommodations, and memory and cognitive decline. Some assessments can be done virtually. A consultation will help determine if remote testing is possible.