Remembering Trailblazing ADHD Psychiatrist Larry B. Silver, M.D.
The former Acting Director and Deputy Director of the NIMH, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and longtime ADDitude contributor died on April 7 at age 92.
April 15, 2026
Psychiatrist Larry B. Silver, M.D., wrote his first column for ADDitude magazine 25 years ago. Over 15 years and more than 300 contributions in this publication, he answered questions about everything from co-occurring conditions to treatment options for adults and teen medication refusal to potential side effects. An early and trustworthy contributor to the ADHD medical conversation, Silver dedicated his life to helping people with mental health diagnoses, ADHD, and learning differences. He died on April 7 at age 92.
Over his five-decade-long career, Silver held leadership roles including Acting Director and Deputy Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine in New Jersey. He served as Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he also directed the training program in child and adolescent psychiatry. In addition, Silver maintained a private practice in the Washington, D.C., area for more than 30 years.
As past-president of the Learning Disabilities Association of America, Silver worked tirelessly to advocate for children with learning differences. He was the recipient of The Learning Disability Association Award for outstanding leadership in the field of Learning Disabilities, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s Berman Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the study and treatment of learning disabilities.
He authored two books for caregivers, including The Misunderstood Child: Understanding and Coping with Your Child’s Learning Disabilities (#CommissionsEarned) and Dr. Larry Silver’s Advice to Parents on ADHD (#CommissionsEarned).
Born in Washington, D.C., to Abraham and Ida Silver, Silver graduated from Eastern High School and George Washington University before attending Howard University Medical School. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Clara Silver; his children Dana Silver (Michael Schweitzer), Caren Shein (Mitchell) and son-in-law Scott Wheeler; his grandchildren Justin Schweitzer (Molly), Noah Schweitzer (Kayla Conaty), Erin Silver Wheeler (Pasha Belenky), Ethan Silver Wheeler, and Alana Prato Shein (Chris), Leah Shein and Elliot Shein (Amanda). He was preceded in death by his daughter Marla Silver and by his sister Helen Hollander.
