A child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) usually shows symptoms of the problem even before he or she enters pre-school. The parent, or another adult who primarily acts as a caregiver, may notice signs of hyperactivity, inattentiveness and impulsiveness in the child during his or her toddler years. Warning signs such as suddenly losing interest in a game or in watching a TV show after just a short time or excessively fidgety or uncontrollable behavior may indicate the onset of the problem.

However, at this very early stage, it is difficult for the parent to ascertain whether the child has a problem with ADHD or is just being extremely energetic or painfully immature. Different children

have different personalities and mature at different rates. If you suspect your child has ADHD, it is therefore imperative that you confer with your family pediatrician or a child psychologist or psychiatrist immediately to determine whether or not the child has ADHD.

ADHD is strongly manifested in school settings. So when the child reaches school age, the teacher is the one who primarily notices the deviant behaviors of the child (his or her hyperactivity or inattentiveness) and reports it to the parents or the school psychologist. Since teachers work primarily with a lot of children, they know how an “average” child would normally act under normal learning situations requiring attention and self-control.

Diagnosing ADHD should best be

referred to a qualified professional. The family pediatrician or physician can be a good starting point. At times, some pediatricians can assess the condition themselves or they will refer you to a credible mental health specialist. There are several specialists who can diagnose the problem but you must choose one whom will best fit your needs. A child psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologist can all diagnose the presence of ADHD. Child psychiatrists have the ability to provide therapy and prescribe any needed medications relative to the problem while a psychologist may be limited to providing therapy sessions. A neurologist, on the other hand, can prescribe medications but is not qualified to deal with the emotional aspect of the condition.

In the course of diagnosing the problem, the specialist may follow these stringent steps to carefully identify the root cause of the observed deviant behavior:

. First, he gathers information to rule out other possible reasons for the child’s behavior. Usually, a child will exhibit ADHD-like symptoms when an extremely stressful event occurred in the family. Undetected seizures, middle ear infections, medical disorders that may have affected the brain, learning disabilities and anxiety or depression may likewise cause ADHD-like symptoms to appear.
. Next, the specialist will gather information on the child’s behavior for comparison with the criteria for ADHD listed in the DSM-IV-TR (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

Disorders, 4th Ed.). This may also entail having conversations with the child and actual observation in different settings. Parents, teachers and other adults who know of the child extensively may likewise be interviewed to get their observations of the child.

. The child may be given tests to identify whether or not he or she has a learning disability and if the learning disabilities persist in one or more areas. Evaluation of the child’s social adjustment and mental health may likewise be taken into account.

. After this exhaustive evaluation, the specialist will then create the profile of the child’s behavior to rule out or establish the presence of ADHD.

A complete and accurate diagnosis

of the problem is just the first step towards helping the child in his probably life-long battle with this condition. Help, guidance and understanding from his parents, teachers and the community will be needed for the child to be able to develop his full potential.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to [http://add.treatment-and-guides.com/]ADD