Meet Dr. Prohaska, “ADHD” Doctor

Error

Passed variable is not an array or object, using empty array instead

06 Sep 2016 Super User

Business

Dr. Mark Prohaska of Tuscaloosa’s Neuropsychology Clinic works with ADHD, brain dysfunction, memory disorders, stress management, the neurobiology of addictions, brain health and aging.

What is a Neuropsychologist?

A neuropsychologist is a clinical psychologist who specializes in evaluating how the brain is working through a combination of behavioral observations and performance on cognitive tasks. The goal is to identify strengths and areas of deficit to aide in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders such as ADD, learning disabilities, sensory processing disorders, and other neurological conditions that impact one’s ability to live up to their full potential.

Where did you grow up?

Omaha. I left when I dropped out of high school and joined the military at the age of 17 and eventually ended up in Tuscaloosa to attend graduate school at UA. My graduate training then took me to Chapel Hill and Brown University in Rhode Island, but I had grown very attached to Tuscaloosa and returned to start my practice.

What made you fall in love with Tuscaloosa?

The quality of life here is great. I love being in a small town that is located so close to big cities, the beach, and the mountains. As a Harley enthusiast, I love the fact that the weather is great for riding most of the year. My wife Tisha and I live on Lake Tuscaloosa, which is an added bonus.

How did you choose your profession?

I grew up in a blue collar family and was the first to go to college. I sort of stumbled into being a behavioral science specialist in the military, where I spent 7-years on active duty. After my discharge, I realized that I needed to pursue an education if I was going to make something of myself, and my military experience had sparked my interest in the field. Part of my goal is to help patients from all walks of life feel comfortable in our clinic because I know what it feels like to do something out of your comfort zone

What is the most common reason parents come to you?

Usually it is because their child has been struggling at school or at home, either academically or behaviorally, and they need to identify the cause of the problem and how to best address it. I would love it if we could reach these families before their children develop serious problems in school, because the earlier the issues are identified and addressed the less impact they have in the long run.

What happens on a typical visit?

We first talk with the patient/family to get a thorough understanding of what is going on. We then follow-up with formal testing administered by a technician that consists of a combination of paper and pencil, computer, and hands-on tasks. Everything is then compiled and analyzed and gone over in detail in a separate feedback session.