There is no simple medical test, such as a blood or urine analysis, that can diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. Therefore, if parents suspect that their child might have ADHD, the child's doctor will have to perform a complete evaluation of the child's habits and behaviors in order to make a diagnosis.
Preliminary Qualifications
In order to be considered a candidate for an ADHD diagnosis, a child must exhibit certain behaviors. First of all, he must exhibit behaviors or traits from two out of a possible three subtypes: inattentive, hyperactive-compulsive, or combined. An inattentive subtype is basically a child who has difficulty paying attention, staying on task, listening and keeping himself organized. A hyperactive-compulsive child is one who has difficulty waiting his turn, holding still, playing quietly, and refraining from blurting out or excessive talking. A combination subtype involves a few traits from both of the first two options. Any child who exhibits at least a few of the characteristics from one or more subtypes may be considered for further tests to determine whether or not he has ADHD.
In addition to exhibiting these behaviors, there has to be a pattern of consistency present in order for doctors to pursue an ADHD evaluation. These behaviors must last for at least six months; otherwise, they may be only a temporary phase, rather than an indicator of a health condition. The behaviors must interfere with the child's life at home and school, and they must be more serious than similar behaviors exhibited by other children his age. If a child meets these criteria, your doctor probably will decide to conduct further testing.
Initial Screening
When a doctor considers an ADHD diagnosis for your child, he will begin by taking a full medical history. He may ask about your child's health, in addition to the health of your other family members. He probably will also check your child's hearing and vision, to make sure that her inattention isn't a result of an associated condition. He also will want to know what medications she has been taking.
Your child's doctor will ask about her behavior, eating habits and personality traits. He will want to rule out other emotional or stress-related disorders, which often can have similar symptoms to ADHD.
Further Testing
After an initial consultation with you and your child, your doctor will probably move to involve other people. She may refer you to a specialist, such as a child psychologist or a behavior specialist. She also will want the other people involved in your child's care to provide input. She will ask you to give surveys to your child's teachers and other caretakers, and will use their answers as part of the diagnosis.
This range of testing procedures will help your doctor determine if your child has ADHD, how severe his case may be, and what kinds of treatment options you should explore.
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