| An ADHD diagnosis is not formal until formal tests | | | | physician will be able to rule |
| have been given by a | | | | out that your child has some sort of physical |
| licensed psychologist or other mental health | | | | problem, such as a |
| professional. | | | | thyroid problem.After the child has seen a |
| Unfortunately, these days school teachers are | | | | medical doctor, the next step will be to |
| the ones making the | | | | meet with a psychologist or other licensed |
| diagnosis when they usually have no qualifications | | | | mental health |
| to be able to do | | | | professional. They will be able to give your child |
| so. I think it is good to be cautious in diagnosing | | | | the necessary |
| disorders and | | | | tests to diagnose ADHD. You will be able to find |
| loosely labeling children with ADHD when that | | | | specialists through |
| may not truly be the | | | | CHADD, which is national organization that |
| case. Often times symptoms of ADHD look like | | | | educates and helps people |
| a lot of other | | | | with ADHD.When you find a qualified mental |
| things, and it is extremely important to a child's | | | | health professional, your first |
| well-being to be | | | | initial meetings will involve your child and a family |
| careful in the process of evaluating them. It is | | | | member that has |
| important and | | | | known the child since they were young. The |
| essential, though, that school teachers are | | | | mental health |
| keeping their eyes and ears | | | | professional will get a detailed personal history |
| open while teaching. If they notice that a child is | | | | from your child's |
| having more | | | | point of view as well as the family member's |
| difficulties than other kids, first tell the parents. | | | | point of view.After this, tests such as TOVA |
| Then make sure | | | | (Tests of Variable Attention) will |
| that something is done about getting the child | | | | be given to see if there is the presence of |
| tested for ADHD and | | | | ADHD. This test is a |
| other learning disabilities. Some children do not get | | | | 23 minute test, and is accurate in distinguishing is |
| tested, and they | | | | a test subject has |
| struggle in school and life when they don't have | | | | ADHD or not. I believe it is important to get |
| to. Education | | | | formal testing to know |
| and counseling early can really prevent children | | | | for sure whether the child is struggling with |
| with ADHD in having as | | | | ADHD or possibly |
| many struggles that tend to hold them back in | | | | something else such as a learning disorder.Other |
| various ways.After is has been decided that a | | | | disorders that could look like ADHD are depression |
| child should be tested for ADHD, it | | | | and anxiety |
| needed to be decided which ADHD test should | | | | disorders, Tourette's Syndrome, early onset |
| be taken to evaluate for | | | | bi-polar disorder, conduct |
| the disorder. There are a few different tests | | | | disorder and possibly other emotional problems |
| that will | | | | or disorders. It is very |
| effectively diagnosis the presence of ADHD. The | | | | important to keep this in mind during the process |
| first step that | | | | of evaluation.Keith Londrie II is a well known |
| should be taken, though, should be to rule out a | | | | author. For more information on ADHD, please |
| physical disorder that | | | | visit ADHD for a wealth of information. |
| has similar symptoms to ADHD. A general | | | | |