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CONFIRMING ADHD

INFOPARENTS.COM: If ADHD is suspected, the child should be carefully screened for the condition by a physician. Since there is still no biological test that can identify ADHD, a series of evaluations are needed to make an accurate diagnosis. A full physical examination is necessary to determine whether the child has other conditions that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD, such as hearing or vision problems, eczema, allergies, or epilepsy. The child may also need to be examined by a child psychologist, neurologist, or other health professional. Through direct discussions with parents, teachers and the child himself, and with questionnaires such as the Conner's Form, the physician will gather information about:

  • the history and nature of the child's behavioural difficulties
  • the quality of the child's relationships with his family and peers
  • the family's medical and personal history
  • the child's social and academic performance at school, including any learning disorders.

    Other conditions which can produce ADHD-like symptoms will need to be ruled out before a diagnosis of ADHD can be made. But conditions such as learning disorders, physical disabilities, or emotional problems can sometimes occur in combination with ADHD. These other conditions if present need to be identified and treated as well. Information gathered from the team's input should be used to determine the nature, severity, and possible causes of the child's condition.

    Parents need to describe the history and nature of the child's behaviour. Although ADHD symptoms often become most apparent and problematic in the school setting, they may have been present earlier in the child's life. Parents should also provide details about the quality of the child's relationships with family members and peers.

    Information about the family's history is also important. Parents or siblings may have experienced symptoms similar to the child's, or may have themselves been diagnosed with ADHD. The family history should also take into account events at home, such a recent divorce or other stressful life events which may be causing the child to experience emotional difficulties, or may be interfering with his or her ability to concentrate. This is very important because certain emotional disturbances may produce ADHD-like symptoms, but need to be treated differently.

    The child's performance at school must also be evaluated. Teacher input is crucial for helping to determine whether the child's social and academic development are appropriate for his or her age. Reports about the child's activity in the classroom, and his ability to pay attention during instruction are highly useful- as are any reports from school psychologists or special educators.

    REMEMBER, THERE IS NO SINGLE TEST FOR ADHD. THE DIAGNOSIS OF ADHD CAN BE MADE ONLY AFTER A COMPLETE AND COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION.

    This answer is provided by Infoparents.com,the Multimedia Online Parent Resource, for more parenting resources and information please visit www.infoparents.com


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    The information provided above is designed to be an educational aid only. It is not intended to replace the advice and care of your health and/or allied health professional, nor is it intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.
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