| If you are the parent of a child with ADHD, when did | | | | When you go to one of these individuals for a |
| you first "discover" that your child had the disorder? | | | | diagnosis they will evaluate your child using the DSM-IV |
| When they were overactive, oppositional toddlers? | | | | (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) |
| Troublesome schoolchildren? Did the suggestion that | | | | criteria for ADHD. The DSM evaluates each child for |
| your child might suffer from ADHD come from you, | | | | consistent symptoms of classic forms of ADHD, |
| your physician, a family member or an outside source, | | | | focusing on impulsivity, inattention and hyperactivity. |
| such as a teacher or daycare provider? | | | | Children who display a large quantity of these |
| All too often teachers, parents, caregivers and other | | | | symptoms in a manner sufficient to affect their ability |
| family members are far too quick to jump on the | | | | to accomplish what they need to accomplish are |
| ADHD bandwagon when children start displaying | | | | considered to have ADHD, and an official "diagnosis" is |
| symptoms, immediately whisking them away to a | | | | made. It is at this point, and no sooner, that the use of |
| physician and demanding drugs to "keep them calm" | | | | natural and medicinal treatment options should be |
| before any medical determination about the source of | | | | explored and implemented. |
| their behavior has been made. The temptation to label | | | | It's easy to look at a child who is hyperactive and |
| a child's behavior as ADHD is undeniable, the "quick fix" | | | | oppositional and slap the title of ADHD on them with |
| all but irresistible; however, in the long run these well | | | | little concern for the reality of who diagnoses ADHD. |
| meaning individuals may be doing more harm than | | | | It's much harder to take the time to thoroughly explore |
| good. | | | | their behavior and determine whether or not there are |
| Who Should be Diagnosing ADHD? | | | | underlying conditions before initiating treatment. If you |
| The answer to who diagnoses ADHD is simple: | | | | believe your child may suffer from ADHD, take the |
| physicians and psychiatrists. This may be a family | | | | time to get them fully evaluated by a medical or |
| doctor, a neurologist, a child counselor or a professional | | | | mental health professional before being labeled as |
| child psychiatrist, each and every one of which is | | | | ADHD. |
| qualified to offer a professional diagnosis on your | | | | It may be the most important thing you ever do for |
| child's condition-and more importantly, to give them | | | | them. |
| they help they need to succeed. | | | | |