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How Do Doctors Diagnose ADHD in Kids?
If you think your child could be experiencing an attention issue which is impacting their performance in school and social life, you should reach out to either your family doctor or pediatrician. Not all doctors will treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), however, in that case, they will refer your child to a specialist, such as a child psychiatrist.
Licensed professionals should be the only ones diagnosing your child with a learning disorder such as ADHD. For example, psychologists provide services such as assessments which can help clarifying if a child has ADHD or not. It is important not to mistake online surveys as psychological assessments. There are three forms or types of ADHD;
1. Inattentive
2. Hyperactive
3. Both
According to a 2015 article in the Harvard Medical Journal, if an adolescent meets 6/9 of the following criteria, they could be a candidate for “inattentive” type of ADHD:
- Difficulty showing attention to details.
- Difficulty maintaining attention to activities.
- Difficulty listening when directly spoken to.
- Difficulty following through with instructions.
- Difficulty completing tasks/assignments/projects requiring organization.
- Will avoid long-period tasks that call for extended spans of mental concentration.
- Often loses items which are required for schoolwork or activities.
- Is easily distracted by others or stimulus in their surroundings.
- They will be forgetful.
According to the same article, if an adolescent meets 6/9 of the following criteria, they could be a candidate for “hyperactive and impulsive” type of ADHD:
- Will leave or get up from their seat in a situation where they are meant to stay seated.
- These children will have difficulty staying still, or be fidgety.
- They will be seen running around or playing at inappropriate moments/settings.
- These children will be seen having trouble playing quietly.
- They may be described or appear as running on or driven by a “motor.”
- They will speak a lot and talk excessively.
- They will speak out prematurely before questions are completed.
- Difficulty taking turns with other or waiting in line.
- Difficulty waiting; interrupting others.
If you believe your child needs to be evaluated by a licensed medical professional for ADHD or any other learning disorder(s), please call Transitions Center in Tempe, AZ at 480.491.1898. You may also fill out the “Need an Appointment” box on the left side of the screen.
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