There is no single test for ADHD. It is diagnosed after a child has shown some or all of 18 symptoms of ADHD on a regular basis for more than six months.
Health care providers can diagnose ADHD with the help of standard guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The diagnosis of ADHD involves the gathering of information from several sources, including school, caregivers, and parents. The health care provider will consider how a child's behavior compares with that of other children the same age.
Children with ADHD show signs of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity in a variety of ways. Many children with ADHD:
Are in constant motion
Squirm and fidget
Do not seem to listen
Are easily distracted
Do not finish tasks.
In addition, the doctor will do a physical examination. A full medical history will screen for other conditions that might affect a child's behavior. Among the possible causes of ADHD-like behavior are:
A sudden life change (such as divorce, a death in the family, or moving)
Undetected seizures
Thyroid disorders
Lead toxicity
Sleep dysfunction
Medical disorders affecting brain function
Anxiety
Depression
The medical history also will help put a child's behavior in context. In addition, sharing the family history can offer important clues about a child's condition. The doctor will ask what symptoms a child is showing, how long the symptoms have occurred, and how the behavior affects a child and his/her family.
Types of ADHD
Doctors might classify symptoms as the following types of ADHD:
Combined inattentive/hyperactive/impulsive — Children with this type of ADHD show all three symptoms. This is the most common form of ADHD.
Hyperactive/impulsive — Children show both hyperactive and impulsive behavior, but usually do not have problems paying attention.
Inattentive only (formerly known as attention deficit disorder) — These children are not overly active. They do not disrupt the classroom or engage in other disruptive activities, so their symptoms might not be noticed.
2006-07-03 14:35:48
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answer #1
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answered by purple 6
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I fully grasp that you simply mentioned the health care professional identified him, however I have a buddy who has a 4 12 months ancient with the identical disorders. Her health care professional mentioned that a baby can not be correctly identified till the age of 5. I have no idea, and I am certain different father and mother have had well evaluations even beneath that age, however probably check out once more in a 12 months and notice what they are saying at that factor. I believe for you and the frustrations that you simply have to be feeling. I feel the principal factor you'll do as a mom is to like your son. Sounds visible, however we must not ever make our kids believe as though they're a obstacle despite the fact that they've a obstacle. Good success!!
2016-08-20 10:27:09
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answer #2
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answered by ? 4
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Absolutely not! Your 4 yr old has a VERY good chance of having ADHD and is not too young to Diagnose or treat. diagnosis can be done by inventories as well as observation and your report as a parent. The Key here is NOT to use a regular pediatrician who is not trained to diagnose or treat this problem. Rather look for a board certified child psychiatrist even if you have to travel it is soooo worth it to get this right. He/She will know the correct dosage (based on weight and sensitivity to thee medication used.)there are new non stimulant meds that can be tried but if you and your other child responds from the stimulant class of medications then most likely this child will as well. Good Luck!
2006-07-03 14:30:45
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answer #3
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answered by mkl2695 1
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How old were you when you were diagnosed as having ADHD? How about your 10-year old? How were they diagnosed? Was this just a clinical analysis or did both of you actually go through some kind of testing to figure out what your problem was?
I have a son who has symptoms of ADHD and a husband with full-blown ADHD that he takes medication for. I am reluctant to put my son on any kind of medications for it, but as he gets older I am starting to worry about some of his behaviours ...
If your 4-year old is unusually inattentive and distracted, you may want to get an assessment done. However, there may be a million reasons why he/she is like this.
2006-07-03 14:22:17
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answer #4
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answered by Angela B 4
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I recognize that you stated the health care provider identified him, however i've a pal who has a four yr historic with the identical problems. Her healthcare professional stated that a baby cannot be adequately identified unless the age of five. I have no idea, and i am sure other father and mother have had good opinions even beneath that age, however possibly are attempting again in a yr and see what they are saying at that point. I think for you and the frustrations that you simply have to be feeling. I feel the primary factor you can do as a mom is to love your son. Sounds apparent, but we should never make our kids feel as if they're a quandary even if they have a quandary. Just right good fortune!!
2016-08-08 23:34:51
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answer #5
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answered by reeve 2
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I noticed ADHD in my son when he was 5. Daughter did not show any signs of it. It is more common in boys than girls for some reason.
After reading all the symptoms and watching my son, his biological father AND I have it. I never knew what it was. I did not get ANY kind of treatment because it was not a common thing in the 60's. I was treated differently and picked on by parents and teachers.
Be careful of the drugs used. Took my son off ridalin after a couple of years. He had to work much harder in school and he was in "contained" (fewer students) classes for most of his subjects. Guess you already know about the IEP meetings.
He is now heading off to college studying what he loves to do. Computers. It will keep him interested, have hands on, and will have a good job and retain it when he graduates.
Consult your doctor...and a councelor. That also helped him manage his anger during puberty.
2006-07-03 14:24:23
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answer #6
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answered by menndebi 2
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I do not forget that you pronounced the health practitioner clinically determined him, yet I truly have a buddy who has a 4 12 months previous with an same subject matters. Her health practitioner pronounced that a new child won't be able to be perfect clinically determined until eventually the age of 5. i do no longer comprehend, and that i'm certain different father and mother have had strong critiques even lower than that age, yet possibly attempt back in a 12 months and be conscious what they say at that element. i trust for you and the frustrations that is needed be feeling. i imagine the biggest element you may want to do as a mom is to love your son. Sounds glaring, yet we could consistently under no circumstances make our youthful ones sense as if they're a project in spite of in the adventure that they have got a project. strong success!!
2016-10-14 02:28:46
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answer #7
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answered by valderrama 4
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Technically to get a diagnosis the pattern has to be there before the age of 7. It depends on who you ask in the field if they would d/o your child with ADHD. Since you and your 10 y/o have it you should defenitely get some help on dealing with it as a family.
2006-07-05 06:46:05
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answer #8
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answered by stargirl 4
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It is a little early. 4 yr olds are supposed to be hyper and curious. Just watch him close. I have 2 kids that are ADD. But, the Dr. chose to wait until 6 yrs to evaulate because of the normal behaviors of kids.
2006-07-03 14:16:23
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answer #9
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answered by AMY L 4
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They diagnosed my son when he was four years old. If he is starting to school this year they will probably go ahead and test him so he will get off to a good start. If he is not starting to school yet they will probably wait another year.
2006-07-03 14:19:38
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answer #10
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answered by Dee 1
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