Pediatric ADHD Evaluation and Management Clinic Q&A
If you have concerns that your child is displaying symptoms of ADHD contact us for an evaluation. We have convenient locations to serve you. For more information, call us or request an appointment online.
Table of Contents:
What are the symptoms of ADHD in children?
How do I get my child tested for ADHD?
What tests are done to confirm ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood and can profoundly affect children’s academic achievement, well-being, and social interactions. Pediatricians will diagnose your child if they have ADHD by following the standard guidelines that were developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It can be difficult to diagnose ADHD in children, specifically if they are younger than 4 years old, as children consistently change at a rapid pace.
There is not a single test available that will immediately diagnose a child with ADHD. The process that has been created requires many steps of gathering information from many varying sources. A few of the sources will include the parents, child, any other caregivers, and the school, all of which will be involved in the assessment process. ESD Pediatric Group Pediatricians are experienced in both diagnosing and helping to manage ADHD.
The following guidelines are followed that have been provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics to diagnose ADHD in children, including:
– Symptoms that occur in 2 or more settings, these settings could be at school, at home, or in social settings, and cause impairment whether mild or severe.
– Child aged 4 to 17 years of age is showing 6 or more symptoms
– A child aged 17 years or older is showing 5 or more symptoms
– Symptoms are impairing the child’s ability to function during activities in their daily life, including relationships with siblings, friends, parents, caregivers, schoolwork, or the ability to function in a group setting like sports teams
– Symptoms that are starting to show before the child reaches the age of 12 may not be recognized as ADHD until the child is older
– Symptoms have continued for 6/mo or more
When diagnosing children with ADHD, we do not just review symptoms; the pediatrician may also refer the child to a pediatric subspecialist or a mental health clinic if there are any concerns in any of the following areas:
– Intellectual disability
– Developmental disorders include speech issues, learning disabilities, or motor problems
– Chronic illnesses that are treated with medication can interfere with learning
– Issues with hearing or seeing
– History of abuse
– Major anxiety or major depression
– Severe aggression
– Possible seizure disorders
– Possible sleep disorders
The symptoms of ADHD that are able to help diagnose children are often noticeable before the age of 6, and they often occur in more than one noticeable area, like school, sports, home, etc. Children may showcase symptoms of both hyperactivity and impulsiveness as well as inattentiveness. These symptoms include:
Inattentiveness
– Short attention span
– Easily distracted
– Careless mistakes
– Losing things or appearing forgetful
– Unable to stick to certain tasks that may be time-consuming or tedious
– Children appear to be unable to listen to and/or carry out instructions
– Consistently changing tasks or activities
– Difficulty organizing tasks
Hyperactivity and impulsiveness
– Unable to sit still, particularly in situations that should be relaxing and quiet
– Constantly fidgeting
– Unable to concentrate on tasks
– Physically moving excessively
– Excessive talking
– Unable to wait their turn
– Acting without thinking
– Interrupting other’s conversations or their own
– No sense or a little sense of danger
If you believe or are concerned that your child may have ADHD, the first step to getting your child tested is speaking to their pediatrician to see if the child’s symptoms fit the diagnosis.
Our pediatricians will review the child and let you know if an assessment may be necessary if they see symptoms that match the diagnosis of ADHD. You are also able to ask any questions you may have in regard to your child’s behavior, speech, or learning.
An ADHD evaluation typically consists of one of our providers reviewing the patient’s medical history, taking a detailed history of the concerning behaviors while noting family history, and then collecting data on symptom rating scales to assess whether a diagnosis is supported.
Contact us if you are concerned that your child may have ADHD. We have convenient locations to serve you. For more information, call us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Milford OH, Hyde Park OH, Cincinnati OH, Blue Ash OH, Montgomery OH, Loveland OH, Mt. Orab OH, Newtown OH, and Kenwood OH.
