| An ADHD diagnosis is not accurate until formal tests | | | | step will be to meet with a psychologist or other |
| have been given by a licensed psychologist or other | | | | licensed mental health professional. They will be able |
| mental health professional. Unfortunately, it is often | | | | to give your child the necessary tests to diagnose |
| school teachers who make the diagnosis, although | | | | ADHD. You can find specialists through CHADD, which |
| they usually have no qualifications to do so. It is best | | | | is national organization operating in the USA, which |
| to be cautious in labeling children with ADHD when | | | | educates and helps people with ADHD. |
| this may not truly be the case. | | | | When you find a qualified mental health professional, |
| Often times, symptoms of ADHD are similar to many | | | | your first initial meetings will involve your child and a |
| other things, and it is extremely important to be | | | | family member that has known the child since they |
| careful in the process of evaluation. It is essential | | | | were young. The mental health professional will get a |
| that school teachers keep their eyes and ears open. | | | | detailed personal history from your child's point of |
| If they notice that a child is having difficulties, they | | | | view as well as from the family member's point of |
| must inform the parents, so that the child can get | | | | view. |
| tested for ADHD and other learning disabilities early | | | | After this, tests such as TOVA (Tests of Variable |
| on. Some children do not get tested, and end up | | | | Attention) will be given to check for the presence of |
| unnecessarily struggling in school and later in life. | | | | ADHD. This is a 23 minute test, and is accurate in |
| After is has been decided that a child should be | | | | distinguishing whether or not a test subject has |
| tested for ADHD, a decision should be made | | | | ADHD. It is important to get formal testing to |
| regarding which ADHD test should be taken to | | | | determine whether the child is struggling with ADHD, |
| evaluate for the disorder, of the several different | | | | or possibly something else, such as a learning disorder. |
| effective ones that are available. However, the first | | | | Other disorders that may look like ADHD are |
| step that should be taken, should be to rule out a | | | | depression and anxiety disorders, Tourette's |
| physical disorder that has similar symptoms to ADHD, | | | | Syndrome, early onset bi-polar disorder, conduct |
| such as a thyroid problem. A general physician or | | | | disorder and possibly other emotional problems or |
| pediatrician will be able to rule this out. | | | | disorders. It is very important to keep this in mind |
| After the child has seen a medical doctor, the next | | | | during the process of evaluation. |