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Parenting and Behavioural Issues
: Diagnosis of ADHD
If ADHD is suspected, the child should be carefully screened for
the condition by a physician. Since there is still no biological
test that can identify ADHD, a series of evaluations are required
to make an accurate diagnosis.
A complete physical examination by a physician is necessary to
make sure the child doesn't have hearing or vision problems, allergies,
eczema, or epilepsy - all of which can cause symptoms similar
to ADHD.
The physician will also study the child's medical history to see
whether an earlier experience such as childhood disease or injury,
or prenatal exposure to toxins, may have caused ADHD. The child
may also need to be examined by a neurologist, child psychologist,
or other health professional.
Gathering information
It's essential that the physician also has detailed information
about the child's developmental, behavioral and academic history.
Through direct discussions with parents, teachers and the child
himself, and with questionnaires such as the Conner's Form, the
physician will gather information about:
- The history and nature of the child's behavioral difficulties
- The quality of the child's relationships with his family
and peers
- The family's medical and personal history
- The child's social and academic performance at school, including
any learning disorders.
Ruling out other conditions
Other conditions which can produce ADHD-like symptoms will need
to be ruled out before a diagnosis of ADHD can be made. But conditions
such as learning disorders, physical disabilities, or emotional
problems, can sometimes occur in combination with ADHD. Information
gathered from the team's input should be used to determine the
nature, severity, and possible causes of the child's condition.
Parents need to describe the history and nature of the child's
behavior. Although ADHD symptoms often become most apparent and
problematic in the school setting, they may have been present
earlier in the child's life. Parents should also provide details
about the quality of the child's relationships with family members
and peers.
Family history
Information about the family's history is also important. Parents
or siblings may have experienced symptoms similar to the child's,
or may have themselves been diagnosed with ADHD. The family history
should also take into account events at home, such as a recent
divorce or other stressful life events which may be causing the
child to experience emotional difficulties, or may be interfering
with his or her ability to concentrate. Certain emotional disturbances
may produce ADHD-like symptoms, but need to be treated differently.
Performance at school
The child's performance at school must also be evaluated. Teacher
input is crucial for helping to determine whether the child's
social and academic development are appropriate for his or her
age.
The teacher can also help discern whether the child has an underlying
learning disorder which may be causing - or contributing to -
ADHD-like symptoms. Reports about the child's activity in the
classroom, and his ability to pay attention during instruction
are highly useful - as are any reports from school psychologists
or special educators.
The child's input
The child himself is usually another excellent source of information,
and so he should not be ignored in the diagnostic process. Questions
about how he perceives himself in relation to his environment
might provide some important insights.
Other Behavioural Issues
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The information provided in this site is
designed to be an educational aid only. It is not intended to
replace the advice and care of your child's physician, nor is
it intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. If
you suspect that your child has a medical condition, always
consult a physician.
© Autograph Communications Inc.,
All rights reserved
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