| Some parents notice signs of inattention, | | | | physical. Physical disorders such as thyroid |
| hyperactivity, and impulsivity in their kids before | | | | problems can mimic ADHD symptoms. A general |
| they even start school. The child may not be able | | | | practitioner can physically evaluate your child to |
| to sit still for very long or pay attention to games | | | | rule this out. After this, it will be necessary to find |
| or television. But just because a parent thinks | | | | a specialist who is qualified to test the child. There |
| their child shows signs of ADHD does not mean | | | | are many types of specialists that can diagnose |
| that they have the disorder. Because children | | | | ADHD, and it is up to the parents in finding one |
| develop and grow at very different rates, it is | | | | that works. Doctors that test for ADHD are child |
| crucial to get a professional's opinion of the child's | | | | psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists and other |
| growth and behavior. You may want to wait until | | | | types of licensed mental health professionals. If |
| the child enters school to definitely diagnose the | | | | you have trouble finding someone who does the |
| disorder. | | | | testing, CHADD can be a great resource for this. |
| ADHD may not be noticed by parents or another | | | | A quick google search will put you in touch with |
| family members, or it may go unnoticed until the | | | | this organization. |
| child runs into problems at school. Because school | | | | After you find a specialist, you will need to bring |
| is very structured and task-oriented, ADHD is | | | | the child being evaluated as well as a family |
| more apparent than anywhere else. Due to these | | | | member who has known them since they were |
| circumstances, it is often a teacher who first | | | | young. A thorough history will need to be taken |
| notices ADHD in a child. Teachers come into | | | | to accurately document when the problems |
| contact every day with all types of children, and | | | | associated with ADHD began. After this has taken |
| over time they become aware of children who | | | | place, several diagnostic tests will be given to test |
| have learning difficulties in comparison to the | | | | the presence of ADHD. |
| average child. Often, a teacher will mention this to | | | | There is no one age that ADHD is diagnosed, but |
| the parents and suggest getting the child | | | | it is very common that once a child enters school |
| evaluated for ADHD. One thing that teachers do | | | | that the symptoms will be more apparent in a |
| not notice, though, are children who are passive | | | | structured environment. But there are many |
| and blend into the woodwork. Children with | | | | individuals who are not diagnosed until adulthood, |
| inattentive ADD are often quiet and spacey, and | | | | and this is becoming more and more prevalent as |
| these qualities do not stand out in the classroom. | | | | the rate of adults diagnosed with ADHD |
| These qualities are also not paired with the picture | | | | skyrockets. |
| of the hyperactive child that comes to mind when | | | | Pay attention to the recommendations of the |
| you think of ADHD. | | | | teachers. They have been around the child for |
| Once it has been suggested that a child may have | | | | some time and are able to tell you if they |
| ADHD, the next step is to rule out that the | | | | suspect that your child needs to be tested. |
| symptoms are not being caused by anything | | | | |