| An ADHD diagnosis is not accurate until formal tests | | | | step will be to meet with a psychologist or other |
| have been given by a licensed psychologist or other | | | | licensed mental health professional. They will be able to |
| mental health professional. Unfortunately, it is often | | | | give your child the necessary tests to diagnose ADHD. |
| school teachers who make the diagnosis, although | | | | You can find specialists through CHADD, which is |
| they usually have no qualifications to do so. It is best to | | | | national organization operating in the USA, which |
| be cautious in labeling children with ADHD when this | | | | educates and helps people with ADHD. |
| may not truly be the case. | | | | When you find a qualified mental health professional, |
| Often times, symptoms of ADHD are similar to many | | | | your first initial meetings will involve your child and a |
| other things, and it is extremely important to be careful | | | | family member that has known the child since they |
| in the process of evaluation. It is essential that school | | | | were young. The mental health professional will get a |
| teachers keep their eyes and ears open. If they notice | | | | detailed personal history from your child's point of view |
| that a child is having difficulties, they must inform the | | | | as well as from the family member's point of view. |
| parents, so that the child can get tested for ADHD and | | | | After this, tests such as TOVA (Tests of Variable |
| other learning disabilities early on. Some children do not | | | | Attention) will be given to check for the presence of |
| get tested, and end up unnecessarily struggling in | | | | ADHD. This is a 23 minute test, and is accurate in |
| school and later in life. | | | | distinguishing whether or not a test subject has ADHD. |
| After is has been decided that a child should be tested | | | | It is important to get formal testing to determine |
| for ADHD, a decision should be made regarding which | | | | whether the child is struggling with ADHD, or possibly |
| ADHD test should be taken to evaluate for the | | | | something else, such as a learning disorder. |
| disorder, of the several different effective ones that | | | | Other disorders that may look like ADHD are |
| are available. However, the first step that should be | | | | depression and anxiety disorders, Tourette's |
| taken, should be to rule out a physical disorder that has | | | | Syndrome, early onset bi-polar disorder, conduct |
| similar symptoms to ADHD, such as a thyroid problem. | | | | disorder and possibly other emotional problems or |
| A general physician or pediatrician will be able to rule | | | | disorders. It is very important to keep this in mind during |
| this out. | | | | the process of evaluation. |
| After the child has seen a medical doctor, the next | | | | |