| Do you think ADHD is overdiagnosed? Perhaps now | | | | Apart from the medical examination, checking the |
| that much more information is available about ADHD, it | | | | child's medical history and also the parents, a range of |
| is becoming easier to diagnose. So, what are the tests | | | | tests are given. These are known as rating scales. |
| to diagnose ADD and ADHD First of all, the doctor will | | | | The basic idea is that they can be compared to other |
| want to eliminate other possible conditions which may | | | | children who are the same age. There are two scales |
| mimic to a certain extent ADD and ADHD symptoms. | | | | for parents which try to find out what exactly the |
| There is also the possibility of a co-morbid disorder | | | | child's symptoms are (this is called Conners' Parent |
| which means that two or more disorders may be | | | | Rating Scale) and also a sort of checklist for |
| affecting the child. This is why it is so important to | | | | behavioural problems known as the Child behaviour |
| have a reliable test for ADHD done. | | | | Checklist. The same checklists and rating scales are |
| The most common co-morbid disorders are ODD | | | | also given to the teachers to record how the child |
| which stands for Oppositional Defiant Disorder. It is | | | | behaves in the classroom. As you can see a test for |
| estimated that up to 35% of kids with ADHD may also | | | | ADHD is quite complex. |
| have ODD and as its name suggests, temper | | | | Then the SNAP checklist (called after its inventors, |
| tantrums and rule breaking are to the forefront. | | | | Swanson, Nolan and Pelham) is used to assess all the |
| Anxiety may also co-exist and the percentage here | | | | answers as set down in the manual DSM IV. These |
| too is high as it accounts for about a quarter of ADHD | | | | rating scales and tests are not totally reliable and |
| children. Excessive worry, fear and even panic attacks | | | | indeed the The American Academy of Pediatrics |
| may be present. | | | | recommends that rating scales are used in conjunction |
| Before actually organizing the tests to diagnose ADD | | | | with other means as they are not the only tests to |
| and ADHD, the doctor will want to rule out other | | | | diagnose ADD and ADHD. |
| possible conditions. These could be lead poisoning | | | | Once an ADHD diagnosis has been made you may |
| which tends to occur in less advantaged families as | | | | wish to do some research on the ADHD medications |
| they live in older derelict homes where old leaded paint | | | | which your doctor may prescribe. As you know, the |
| can be chewed or even swallowed. A simple blood | | | | side effects of these drugs (they are mind altering |
| test can exclude this possibility. There may be | | | | drugs after all) may cause more problems that they |
| problems with eyesight or hearing. It could be a low red | | | | resolve as the side effects can sometimes be |
| cell blood amount (anemia) which will make the child | | | | alarming to say the least. You will also want to do |
| listless or it could be a thyroid problem although this | | | | research on ADHD natural cures which are free of |
| latter condition is much more common in adults than in | | | | side effects and absolutely safe. |
| children. | | | | |