What Can You Do If You Suspect That Your Child Has AD/HD?

Many parents who suspect that their child has AD/HD feel overwhelmed. It may seem difficult to decide whom to consult and what to do. A worthwhile first step can be discussing your concerns with your child’s pediatrician. This can be done either directly in the office: with or without your child present, or you can arrange for a telephone consultation. You can talk to your doctor about your child’s symptoms and he can refer you to a specialist if you both feel that it is necessary. The specialist may be a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a neurologist or a licensed mental health professional proficient in the area of assessing and diagnosing pediatric disorders. In addition, many universities have child-study departments where your child can be observed in-depth and diagnosed.

Although you may wish it were possible, there is no definitive physical diagnosis of AD/HD. There are no blood tests, no X-Rays, no special procedures. Your doctor may conduct a variety of tests to rule out other health conditions and he will base his diagnosis on his and your observations of the child’s behaviors. The doctor may request your permission to discuss your child’s condition with his teachers.

After you have obtained a diagnosis, there are variety of treatment options available. These options generally include combinations of medication, behavior modification programs and therapy. Some parents chose to include alternative complementary methods of treatment, but it is important to be aware of possible side effects and to make sure that the treatment has been tested by reliable experts. It will probably take some time to establish what the best method of treatment is for your child.

As a parent, you are probably finding it difficult to control and manage AD/HD. You are not alone. You may find it helpful to browse through the links posted in our resource section, particularly those sites offering support forums and resources.