| Parents usually see signs of ADHD in their children long | | | | parent and child deal with it. Then, the specialist collects |
| before they start school. Children have different rates | | | | information related to the child's recent behavior and |
| in their level of maturity and they have very different | | | | compares it with the warning signs of ADHD. The |
| personalities, attitudes, and energy rates, so it's helpful | | | | specialist also observes the child's behavior in different |
| to get an expert's outlook of whether the behavior is | | | | environments, such as at home, school or in the |
| appropriate for the child's age. Parents can ask their | | | | community. People who are in contact with the child |
| specialists to evaluate whether the child has an ADHD | | | | are asked for their observations on the child's behavior. |
| or is just being immature, childish or unusually energetic. | | | | They are presented with evaluation forms or behavior |
| If ADHD seems like a possibility, the family can turn to | | | | rating scales. After the data gathering and observation, |
| health professionals in the field of ADHD training or in | | | | the specialist can now compare the child's behavior to |
| mental disorder diagnosis. There are different | | | | that of other kids in the same age group. |
| specialists trained in different areas, such as | | | | Most of the time children with ADHD are evaluated for |
| psychiatrists and psychologists, developmental and | | | | mental health and social adjustment. A specialist |
| behavioral pediatricians, neurologists and even clinical | | | | conducts tests to check for a learning disability. Once |
| social workers. Parents should determine which | | | | all the information is gathered, the specialist answers |
| specialist will be most suitable for their child by talking | | | | different sets of questions to help him or her identify |
| to their family physician and getting recommendations | | | | whether the child's hyperactivity, impulsivity, and |
| from him or her. | | | | inattention are significant and long-standing. Some of |
| There are a lot of specialists who deal with ADHD. | | | | these questions are: Which ADHD-like behaviors does |
| Psychiatrists can prescribe medications and | | | | the child show? In what situations? How often? How |
| treatments and provide a therapy program. | | | | long has the child been doing them? How old was the |
| Psychologists are qualified to diagnose and treat | | | | child when the problem started? Are the behaviors |
| ADHD through therapy (but cannot prescribe | | | | seriously interfering with the child's relationship in home, |
| medication). Neurologists are doctors who deal with | | | | school or community? Or does the child have any |
| disorders of the nervous system and brain, and they | | | | other related problems? |
| are also trained in diagnosing ADHD and can prescribe | | | | Providing recommendations to school staff, selecting |
| medication, though they don't usually provide therapy | | | | the right medication, seeking a more appropriate |
| for the emotional side of ADHD. In choosing a | | | | classroom setting, and helping parents and teachers to |
| specialist, it's important to look for someone with | | | | manage the child's behavior are vital for an effective |
| specialized training who has experience dealing with | | | | social medication. Once the disorder is identified, the |
| the disorder. | | | | child and family can get whatever help they need, |
| In getting the child ready for evaluation of his or her | | | | whether it's emotional, educational or medical. |
| ADHD, the specialist first checks the child's records, | | | | Truly no single treatment is the answer for every child |
| both educational and medical. The child's needs and | | | | having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. If a child |
| personal history are carefully considered and analyzed. | | | | with ADHD has anxiety or depression, a combined |
| The specialist determines what effect the child's | | | | treatment medication and behavioral therapy is usually |
| environment has on his or her behavior and how the | | | | best. |