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Parents usually see signs
of ADHD in their children long before they start school.
Children have different rates in their level of maturity and
they have very different personalities, attitudes, and energy
rates, so it's helpful to get an expert's outlook of whether
the behavior is appropriate for the child's age. Parents can
ask their specialists to evaluate whether the child has an ADHD
or is just being immature, childish or unusually energetic.
If ADHD seems like a possibility,
the family can turn to health professionals in the field of ADHD
training or in mental disorder diagnosis. There are different
specialists trained in different areas, such as psychiatrists
and psychologists, developmental and behavioral pediatricians,
neurologists and even clinical social workers. Parents should
determine which specialist will be most suitable for their child
by talking to their family physician and getting recommendations
from him or her.
There are a lot of specialists who
deal with ADHD. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications and treatments
and provide a therapy program. Psychologists are qualified to
diagnose and treat ADHD through therapy (but cannot prescribe
medication). Neurologists are doctors who deal with disorders
of the nervous system and brain, and they are also trained in
diagnosing ADHD and can prescribe medication, though they don't
usually provide therapy for the emotional side of ADHD. In choosing
a specialist, it's important to look for someone with specialized
training who has experience dealing with the disorder.
In getting the child ready for evaluation
of his or her ADHD, the specialist first checks the child's records,
both educational and medical. The child's needs and personal
history are carefully considered and analyzed. The specialist
determines what effect the child's environment has on his or
her behavior and how the parent and child deal with it. Then,
the specialist collects information related to the child's recent
behavior and compares it with the warning signs of ADHD. The specialist
also observes the child's behavior in different environments,
such as at home, school or in the community. People who are in
contact with the child are asked for their observations on the
child's behavior. They are presented with evaluation forms or
behavior rating scales. After the data gathering and observation,
the specialist can now compare the child's behavior to that of
other kids in the same age group.
Most of the time children with ADHD are
evaluated for mental health and social adjustment. A specialist
conducts tests to check for a learning disability. Once all the
information is gathered, the specialist answers different sets
of questions to help him or her identify whether the child's
hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention are significant and
long-standing. Some of these questions are: Which ADHD-like behaviors
does the child show? In what situations? How often? How long
has the child been doing them? How old was the child when the
problem started? Are the behaviors seriously interfering with
the child's relationship in home, school or community? Or does
the child have any other related problems?
Providing recommendations to school
staff, selecting the right medication, seeking a more appropriate
classroom setting, and helping parents and teachers to manage
the child's behavior are vital for an effective social medication.
Once the disorder is identified, the child and family can get
whatever help they need, whether it's emotional, educational
or medical.
Truly no single treatment is the
answer for every child having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder. If a child with ADHD has
anxiety or depression, a combined treatment medication and behavioral
therapy is usually best.
For more information about understanding and managing the effects
of ADHD please visit Recognizing and Treating
ADHD at http://www.ourfamilyshealth.com/recognizing-adhd
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