Understanding ADHD - Treatment

How Is ADHD Diagnosed?

ADHD is a complex condition and is therefore sometimes difficult to diagnose. Because so many of the symptoms are related to child development, they can be normal at one age and not at another. Moreover, they may be appropriate to one child and not to another of the same age. In many cases, a child will show signs of the disorder in early childhood but go undiagnosed until first or second grade, when the demands of schoolwork make them more apparent. And occasionally, ADHD is not recognized until adulthood.

Even in adults, symptoms of ADHD look different depending on the person experiencing them.

A diagnosis of ADHD in childhood and adolescence is usually made after discussing symptoms at length with the child and parents -- and possibly teachers -- and observing the child's behaviors. Information about any family history of similar problems will also be gathered and the doctor will consider other possibilities, including other medical or psychiatric conditions. Like most psychiatric problems, there is no specific test for ADHD.

A diagnosis of ADHD is often first suggested by teachers. Schools are federally mandated to perform an appropriate evaluation if a child is suspected of having a disability that impairs academic functioning. This policy was recently strengthened by regulations implementing the 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), which guarantees appropriate services and a public education to children with disabilities from ages 3 to 21.

For the first time, IDEA specifically lists ADHD as a qualifying condition for special education services. If the assessment performed by the school is inadequate or inappropriate, parents may request that an independent evaluation be conducted at the school's expense. Furthermore, some children with ADHD qualify for special education services within the public schools, under the category of "Other Health Impaired." I n these cases, the special education teacher, school psychologist, school administrators, classroom teachers, along with parents, must assess the child's strengths and weaknesses and design an Individualized Education Program. These special education services for children with ADHD are available though IDEA.

A battery of tests is given to assess a child's neurological and psychological status. The tests should be administered by a pediatrician with experience in diagnosing and treating ADHD and include:

• A medical and social history of both the child and his family.
• A physical exam and neurological assessment including screenings of vision, hearing, and verbal and motor skills. Additional tests may also be performed if there is a possibility that hyperactivity is related to some other physical problem.
• An evaluation of intelligence, aptitude, personality traits, or processing skills. These evaluations are often completed by the parents and teachers if the child is of school age.
• An evaluation of intelligence, aptitude, personality traits, or processing skills. These evaluations are often completed by the parents and teachers if the child is of school age.
• In adults, ADHD is diagnosed after careful clinical evaluation by your physician.