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While many diseases and conditions can be diagnosed through clinical or imaging tests, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder must be assessed instead by evaluating a patient's medical history and behavior and conducting an interview.
Often a classroom teacher notes the first signs of ADHD. Parents may also note signs of ADHD, including the child's inability to concentrate, frequent impulsive actions or intense bouts of activity and energy. Details of these events, often the impetus for a physician visit, should be written down to share with a physician. Such observed behaviors include if the child is able to take turns, listen in class or had trouble in a particular subject. -
Because ADHD symptoms often are not exhibited while in the doctor's office, a physician may rely on questionnaires that ask the parent about observed behaviors, medical conditions or other factor. Physicians create a baseline with the questionnaire. They are able to measure the patients' responses compared to those of children who do not have ADHD.
Typically those with ADHD share three common traits: inattention, which manifests itself as the inability to pay close attention to details, being forgetful, or difficulty organizing even basic tasks; hyperactivity, in which the child is constantly fidgeting or unable to sit still, talking excessively, or cannot play quietly; and impulsivity, in which the child cannot wait his turn and interrupts others.
The questionnaire, as well as physician examination, will seek to address how these three traits are present in the child being tested for ADHD. These characteristics are often what distinguishes a child with ADHD from a child with attention deficit disorder (who typically displays inattention difficulties) and a child who has a learning disability (who has a learning problem in a specific area, not necessarily across the board). -
The physician will also ask questions concerning the child's medical history. These questions may include: Was the child born prematurely? What was the child's birth weight? Did the mother experience pregnancy complications? When did the child first begin crawling/walking/etc? Has there been a history of any serious medical illnesses in the child?
The interview is a necessary portion because to diagnose ADHD, the physician must find that the child's symptoms are so severe that they impact her ability to function, especially in school. The symptoms also must have been in a continual pattern, occurring for at least six consecutive months before testing. The doctor should find that the symptoms are present in every aspect of a child's life: at home and school. If symptoms only occur at one or the other, it is unlikely the condition is ADHD. - A physician uses all the information gathered to reach a conclusion of whether a child has ADHD. The physician will also rule out conditions such as oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety, depression or a learning disability. Because ADHD can manifest with varying symptoms, the diagnosis may be for ADHD or potentially a learning disability focusing on a particular subject. The condition's severity as well as the child's medical history is often used to determine next steps concerning treatment.
