| ADD children and ADHD children are often diagnosed | | | | ADD or ADHD. In some cases, the pediatrician may |
| when they begin school. Most people today have | | | | make the diagnosis themselves. In most cases, a |
| heard of ADD and ADHD as this type of diagnosis is | | | | counselor or psychologist who is familiar with ADD and |
| not uncommon and first began to be diagnosed in | | | | ADHD is the most qualified to make such a diagnosis. It |
| children and adults as early as the 1930s. While Ritalin | | | | will be based upon behavior and observation of the |
| was the common solution in the past, as well as | | | | child as well as past patterns of behavior. |
| medication stimulants, more parents today are saying | | | | A diagnosis of ADD or ADHD for your child does not |
| "no" to mind altering drugs for their children when it | | | | mean that he or she must start taking medication. |
| comes to treating the ADD child. | | | | While we all tend to look for the "magic pill" or the |
| There have been studies performed regarding the | | | | easy solution to a problem, many feel that drugs are |
| difference in the brain of the ADD or ADHD child. PET | | | | not the answer when it comes to ADD or ADHD in |
| scans have revealed a significant difference. But ADD | | | | children. Drugs such as Ritalin, one of the most |
| and ADHD is not diagnosed with blood tests or x-rays. | | | | commonly prescribed drugs for this condition, often |
| It is a clinical diagnosis that is usually based upon the | | | | make children tired. These are meant to modify the |
| child's actions and behavior. Often, at the urging of a | | | | behavior of the child, but end up taking away their |
| teacher, the parents will take the child to the doctor for | | | | uniqueness and individuality, something that has many |
| testing. Teachers are often the first people to spot | | | | parents concerned. |
| ADD and ADHD in children because parents, having | | | | If you have received a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD for |
| gotten used to their child's behavior, are not looking for | | | | your child, you may want to consider therapy |
| the symptoms. In school, ADD and ADHD become | | | | approaches that allow you to teach your child to work |
| more apparent as the ADD child struggles to pay | | | | with his or her condition rather than try to mask it with |
| attention in class and often has wandering thoughts. | | | | drugs. The diagnosis of ADD and ADHD is very |
| He or she may have a very difficult time in school and | | | | common and nothing to be alarmed about. Many |
| may be seen as an underachiever. | | | | people with ADD and ADHD have thrived, but the |
| Your doctor may send you to a pediatric psychiatrist | | | | secret is to get the right diagnosis and learn how to |
| or psychologist who will then make the diagnosis of | | | | deal with it on a permanent basis. |