It use to be thought that most children with ADHD would outgrow this disorder within a few years, would only require treatment for a brief period of time and the emphasis should be Monday through Friday during school. There are a number of professionals who are skilled in diagnosing and treating ADHD including primary care physicians such as pediatricians and family physicians, psychiatrists, and neurologists as well as mental health therapists, including psychologists, social workers and counselors. Diagnosis is usually made in collaboration between the professional, parents and school officials. Presentation in the professional's office may or may not be remarkable. Frequently, laboratory and other testing data are not that helpful.
Professionals often use various rating scales and check lists to help in the diagnosis.
Lastly, parents frequently can benefit from the support of others who have gone through similar issues and an increase in knowledge is very helpful. There is a national organization - C.H.A.D.D., which has a local support group which meets on a regular basis to help parents become more educated and effective advocates for their children. This is often very beneficial for many families, and helps dispel the notion that these problems are unique to their own family. Copyright 1999 LDDA . All Rights Reserved.