Diagnosing ADHD In Children – Criteria and A Scenario You Might Expect
Little Johnny has forgotten his homework for the umpteenth time this year and you
have finally had enough of what you suspect could be a flow blown case of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. So you pick up the phone and make an appointment with your child's pediatrician just knowing that he will understand your dilemma and provide helpful solutions.As the appointment approaches you start to make a list of the inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive behavior you have been dealing with since little Johnny was a baby. A smile comes to your face as you fanaticize that your precious little boy was so hyperactive that he likely escaped from his crib in the paternity ward causing an all out search by security and provoking a 24 hour lockdown for all other hyperactive babies. Then you fade back into reality completing your list of symptoms and concerns.
The big day arrives
Once at the doctor's the nurse informs you that to be diagnosed with ADHD, your child will have to meet the basic criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) which is published by the American Psychiatric Association. She goes on to say that in order for the Doc to confirm this diagnosis little Johnny must have six or more signs and symptoms from the ADHD symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. She then hands you a copy of the list and asks you to read over it and check the ones that you think Johnny has.
The questions on the list look something like this:
*Inattention
Does Johnny often: make care mistakes, fail to pay close attention to detail, fail to sustain attention in tasks and play, does not listen when spoken to directly, fails to follow through on instruction, fails to finish schoolwork assignments, exhibits poor organizational skills, avoids any task requiring sustained mental effort, loses things necessary for tasks or activities, become easily distracted, is forgetful in daily activities.
*Hyperactivity
Does little Johnny often: blurt out answers before questions have been completed, squirm and fidget with hands and feet when seated, just can't seem to wait his turn, talks endlessly, is on the go or acts like he is driven by a motor, disrupts quite time activities, runs and climbs excessively in situations which are inappropriate, can't seem to stay seated even when told to do so, violates others private space or interrupts conversations.
You finish checking and easily exceed the six needed.
The doctor walks in
Your doctor looks at your list, and then much to your surprise says he needs a little more information from you. You say okay, and he asks:
*Do you believe your sons behavior is abnormal for a child his age?
*Has he had these symptoms for at least six months?
*Are his symptoms getting in way of making good grades in school?
*Are his symptoms impeding his ability to function in more than one setting? For example: home and school.
/>*At what age did you first start to notice that his behavior was different?
In conclusion, while there will be some variations in the way the diagnostic criteria above is presented, and the height of the bar for a positive diagnosis, these are the steps and the basic criteria for getting your doctor on board and confirming the presence of ADHD. If your child's pediatrician or your family doctor feels he/she is either unable or unqualified to make a diagnosis don't be surprised if you are referred to a specialist for a second opinion.
Diagnosing ADHD In Children Criteria and A Scenario You Might Expect
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