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Author:
Keith Londrie

An ADHD diagnosis is not formal until formal tests have been given by a licensed psychologist or other mental health professional. Unfortunately, these days school teachers are the ones making the diagnosis when they usually have no qualifications to be able to do so. I think it is good to be cautious in diagnosing disorders and loosely labeling children with ADHD when that may not truly be the case. Often times symptoms of ADHD look like a lot of other things, and it is extremely important to a child's well-being to be careful in the process of evaluating them. It is important and essential, though, that school teachers are keeping their eyes and ears open while teaching. If they notice that a child is having more difficulties than other kids, first tell the parents. Then make sure that something is done about getting the child tested for ADHD and other learning disabilities. Some children do not get tested, and they struggle in school and life when they don't have to. Education and counseling early can really prevent children with ADHD in having as many struggles that tend to hold them back in various ways.

After is has been decided that a child should be tested for ADHD, it needed to be decided which ADHD test should be taken to evaluate for the disorder. There are a few different tests that will effectively diagnosis the presence of ADHD. The first step that should be taken, though, should be to rule out a physical disorder that has similar symptoms to ADHD. A general physician will be able to rule out that your child has some sort of physical problem, such as a thyroid problem.

After the child has seen a medical doctor, the next step will be to meet with a psychologist or other licensed mental health professional. They will be able to give your child the necessary tests to diagnose ADHD. You will be able to find specialists through CHADD, which is national organization that educates and helps people with ADHD.

When you find a qualified mental health professional, your first initial meetings will involve your child and a family member that has known the child since they were young. The mental health professional will get a detailed personal history from your child's point of view as well as the family member's point of view.

After this, tests such as TOVA (Tests of Variable Attention) will be given to see if there is the presence of ADHD. This test is a 23 minute test, and is accurate in distinguishing is a test subject has ADHD or not. I believe it is important to get formal testing to know for sure whether the child is struggling with ADHD or possibly something else such as a learning disorder.

Other disorders that could look like ADHD are depression and anxiety disorders, Tourette's Syndrome, early onset bi-polar disorder, conduct disorder and possibly other emotional problems or disorders. It is very important to keep this in mind during the process of evaluation.

Keith Londrie II is a well known author. For more information on ADHD, please visit ADHD for a wealth of information. You may also want to visit keith's own web site at http://keithlondrie.com/

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A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to ADHD News... ADHD Help ADHD is an acronym that stands from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This disorder is more common in males. It is generally diagnosed by the age of seven and is usually accompanied by a learning disability. There has been a great debate when it comes to the primary cause of this disorder. Most medical experts agree that ADHD is attributed to a chemical imbalance in the part of the brain that controls the ability to maintain attention. Most also blame genetics as a contributing factor in developing ADHD. Others argue that a child's diet has a tremendous impact on whether they are susceptible to ADHD. They believe that the intake of processed sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavoring is the main cause of this disorder. Studies from both sides have resulted in similar results. A definite cause is yet to be found. Where do I get help? The most common treatment for ADHD is behavioral therapy and emotional counseling combined with medication to counteract the chemical imbalance in the brain. Once formally diagnosed, you should seek the help from a psychiatrist or a psychologist that has experience with ADHD. If the doctor tells you that medication is required, be sure to do research first before committing to anything. Drug research is very biased, and the efficacy of drug treatment is now being questioned by the scientific community. Be sure to read extensively about any drug that you or your child is going to take. There might be side effects that could damage the sufferer in the long run, regardless if they stopped taking the drug or not. There are also many support groups available for children who suffer from ADHD as well as for their parents. These groups are forums where people get together with others who are suffering from the same thing and...