Who can diagnose ADHD?
ADHD is diagnosed by either a psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist who specialises in ADHD. General practitioners can identify symptoms of ADHD and give a primary diagnosis, but they may not necessarily have the knowledge to identify the signs of ADHD to accurately diagnose and treat ADHD, often, they will refer you to specialists of ADHD. Teachers or parents are not able to diagnose ADHD but can help identify children that may have ADHD (Frank, 1998).
Symptoms to look out for
If you suspect that a child in your class with ADHD keep a record of the child’s behaviour that will act as evidence when the child is sent for formal diagnosis.
According to the American Psychiatric Association (2013), 6 of the following symptoms must have persisted for at least 6 months to be identified as possible ADHD: …show more content…
To determine whether the behaviour is displayed in all settings and if it interferes with or reduces the quality of the child’s so¬cial, academic, or occupational functioning teachers, caregivers or parents ought to be consulted (ADHD Awareness Month Coalition, 2011; APA, 2013).
“It is important that the symptoms occur consistently and not during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder and are not better explained by another mental disorder (e.g., mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, personality disorder, substance intoxication or withdrawal)” (APA, 2013, p.60).
ADHD can be a combined presentation of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, or it can present as predominantly inattentive or predominantly hyperactive/impulsive (APA,
ADHD is diagnosed by either a psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist who specialises in ADHD. General practitioners can identify symptoms of ADHD and give a primary diagnosis, but they may not necessarily have the knowledge to identify the signs of ADHD to accurately diagnose and treat ADHD, often, they will refer you to specialists of ADHD. Teachers or parents are not able to diagnose ADHD but can help identify children that may have ADHD (Frank, 1998).
Symptoms to look out for
If you suspect that a child in your class with ADHD keep a record of the child’s behaviour that will act as evidence when the child is sent for formal diagnosis.
According to the American Psychiatric Association (2013), 6 of the following symptoms must have persisted for at least 6 months to be identified as possible ADHD: …show more content…
To determine whether the behaviour is displayed in all settings and if it interferes with or reduces the quality of the child’s so¬cial, academic, or occupational functioning teachers, caregivers or parents ought to be consulted (ADHD Awareness Month Coalition, 2011; APA, 2013).
“It is important that the symptoms occur consistently and not during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder and are not better explained by another mental disorder (e.g., mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, personality disorder, substance intoxication or withdrawal)” (APA, 2013, p.60).
ADHD can be a combined presentation of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, or it can present as predominantly inattentive or predominantly hyperactive/impulsive (APA,