Specialty Area: ADHD and Behavior Disorders

Dr. Kurtz is a leading expert in the treatment of behavioral problems and disorders, particularly ADHD. He is Clinical Director of our Institute for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity and Behavior Disorders and Assistant Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine. He has extensive experience in PCIT (Parent Child Interaction Therapy) – a unique treatment for children ages 2-8 who have disruptive and oppositional behaviors.

Dr. Kurtz earned his Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He serves as a Diplomate Examiner for the American Board of Behavioral Psychology and is on the Program Committee of the Child and School Special Interest Group of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. Dr. Kurtz is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy and the New York State Psychological Association.

In the News

When a Public Figure Falls
Steven M.S. Kurtz, Ph.D., appeared on NBC News Channel 4 as well as NBC New York Nightly News to discuss how children may be impacted by the events surrounding Governor Spitzer's resignation. (March 18, 2008)

Parenting Wild Teens
Steven M. S. Kurtz, Ph.D., appeared on The Early Show on CBS to speak about parenting methods with the host and a mother who was recently accused of child neglect after she left her four uncontrollable teenage boys home alone. (February 25, 2008)

Distinguishing the Ill-Mannered Child from the ADHD Child
Dr. Steven Kurtz appeared on the TLC program Shalom in the Home to answer Rabbi Shmuley's questions about ADHD and therapy (April 25, 2007)

ADHD A Daily Challenge
Dr. Steven Kurtz appeared live on WNBC News 4 You discussing current issues in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD especially when other disruptive behavior problems are present as well. He also addressed parental concerns about using behavioral and medicine treatments. (April 6, 2007)

Mom and Dad to the Rescue!
Dr. Steven Kurtz spoke to InTown Westchester (PDF) about "helicopter parents," or parents who "hover" and remain so involved in their child's life that, by high school and college, their kids are calling them several times a day for advice. Dr. Kurtz calls the cell phone "the world's longest umbilical cord," and says parents' constant intervention can prevent kids from learning independence. Parents should allow kids to confront their own issues so they learn how to solve problems on their own. (March 2007)

When Silence is Not Golden: The Road to Successful Treatment of Selective Mutism
Dr. Steve Kurtz spoke to ArcLight, a magazine published by ARC of Rockland (Rockland County, New York), about treatment for selective mutism, a disease which often goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed. Children may be thought to be "painfully shy" and told that they will outgrow the condition because many pediatricians and teachers are unaware of the disorder. Dr. Kurtz said that children with selective mutism frequently have a distinct pattern of who they will and will not speak to. (Autumn 2006)

EcoWellness: ADHD’s Environmental Links
Dr. Steven Kurtz spoke to UPI about a new study that appeared to show links between environmental exposures and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Dr. Kurtz said it does not exactly represent the landscape of childhood ADHD in the U.S., as many children in the United States with ADHD still go undiagnosed, and many who are diagnosed do not take the medication the children in the study were taking. (December 20, 2006)

Teen Driving
Dr. Steven Kurtz appeared on WPIX News at 10 talking about teenagers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and driving. (September 20, 2006)

Could Your Child Have ADHD?
Dr. Steven Kurtz offers guidance for All You Magazine (PDF) to parents who wonder if they should worry about their child's behavior. (December 2004)

ADHD and After-School Activities: Finding the Right Fit
Dr. Steven Kurtz offers tips in WebMD for helping parents find the right after-school activity for children with ADHD. (September 7, 2004)

Back to School With ADHD
Dr. Steven Kurtz talks to WebMD about helping parents of children with ADHD can ease the back-to-school transistion. (August 2, 2004)