Diagnosing Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention Deficit Disorder can be a debilitating ailment for children. ADD causes children to lose their ability to focus and a loss of concentrate. This can cause problems both in school as well as at work. So how do you know if your child suffers from ADD in order to treat it properly?

ADD is not like a flu or cold where you can go to a doctor and get a confirmation that you have it. It can actually be difficult to diagnose. Usually it takes direct observation, and consideration. The first thing you should consider is if your child is suffering from other ailments, such as poor eye sight or trouble hearing. If you receive word from your child’s teacher that his/her attention span is short, the school may request testing of your child for a learning disability with the school psychologist. The school psychologist is trained to look for signs that may result in a diagnosis of ADD. Usually, if the tests come up showing evidence of ADD, the psychologist will usually refer your child to a pediatrician where a treatment plan can be drawn up.

It is important to note that diagnosis does not come over night and can be a long process for a proper diagnosis and treatment. If you feel your child is suffering from ADD, it is best to contact your child’s school psychologist or pediatrician.