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