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How is ADHD diagnosed? Monday, December 1, 2008 If you suspect your child, or a child in your life has ADHD, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis. Children mature at different rates, with different personalities, temperaments and energy levels, so it is important to get an expert’s opinion of whether the behavior is appropriate for the child’s age. If a parent has a concern, the parent can talk to the child’s pediatrician or family doctor who may refer the child for further evaluation. A number of specialists may be involved in the diagnosis of ADHD including: pediatricians or family doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists and clinical social workers. The specialist’s first task is to rule out other possible reasons for the child’s behavior. There are four possible causes of ADHD-like behavior and include:
The specialist gathers information on the child’s ongoing behavior and compares these behaviors to the symptoms and diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Often the child’s teachers are asked to rate their observations of the child’s behavior on a standardized evaluation forms, known as behavior rating scales, to compare the child’s behavior to that of other children the same age. Interviews are conducted with the child’s teachers and parents. Parents are asked to describe their child’s behavior in a variety of situations and may also fill out a rating scale to indicate how severe and frequent the behaviors seem to be. The specialist then pieces together the information from any medical examinations or records, the interviews and behavior rating scales to determine if the child has an attention deficit disorder. If you have a concern that your child, or a child in your life may be struggling with ADHD, please contact your local Area Education Agency today. Help is waiting. |