Attention deficit disorder was the term previously used in the diagnoses of children with ADD. The diagnostic term has sense been changed and the correct diagnostic term for these children is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. A diagnosis of ADHD should only be given by a mental health professional such as a counselor, social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist. To diagnose a child with ADHD information on the child's behaviors will be obtained through observation and consultation.
Step 1
Observe the child's behaviors and interactions. Make note if the child is engaging in impulsive behaviors or constant movement. Pay attention to determine if the child is unable to remain still for extended periods of time. Determine if the child talks excessively. See if the child is capable of waiting her turn. Make note if the child displays any fidgeting behaviors. According to National Institute of Mental Health or NIMH, if the child displays any of these signs he may be symptomatic of the hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD.
Step 2
Find out if the child has difficulty following instructions. Determine if the child often misplaces or losses things. Look at the child's assignments and determine if the child poorly attends to details. Pay attention to the child's ability to become easy distracted. Note if the child often jumps from task to task leaving many things unfinished. Notice if the child has a difficult time listening. Find out if the child lacks organizational skills. NIMH reports that if a child displays any of these signs he may have the inattentive form of ADHD.
Step 3
Consult the parents and teachers of the child to determine how long the child has been displaying the documented symptoms. Children with ADHD must begin to display symptoms prior to the age of seven, notes MayoClinic.com. Determine what type of symptoms the child was displaying prior to the age of seven. Make sure that the child has been symptomatic for a least the six months prior because this is necessary for the child to meet diagnostic criteria.
Step 4
Ask teachers, parents and others involved in the life of the child to tell you about their experiences with the child. Document these individual experiences. Compare them to the symptoms of both forms of ADHD mentioned previously. Determine if the symptoms are being displayed by the child in more than one place such as home and school. Displaying symptoms in two different locations is necessary for diagnosis.
Step 5
Compare the child's behaviors to other children's behaviors in his developmental age group. NIMH reports that for a child to be diagnosed with ADHD she must display symptoms that are more severe that normal behaviors displayed by other children her same age.
Step 6
Document the number of specific ADHD symptoms the child is displaying. Categorize these symptoms into hyperactive-impulsive symptoms and inattentive symptoms. Count the number of symptoms. A child must display at least six symptoms in order to be diagnosed with ADHD. When the six symptoms fall into one category of ADHD the child will be diagnosed with ADHD and that specific type. If the symptoms fall into both categories the child will be diagnosed with the combined form of ADHD.
