Diagnosis of ADHD in Children

ADHD in children is determined by a short conversation with parents and with the child. A number of fixed subjects are discussed and the complaints are considered. There are several useful questionnaires to determine ADHD. Points of interest at diagnosing ADHD are:

• The symptoms must occur at school, at home and/or during playing time. For this reason ADHD can be determined only after a conversation with the parents, a research at the child (psychiatrically and physically), and conversations with for example teachers.
• The information must be systematically collected according to a certain method.
  ADHD frequently gives rise to other mental impairments. These must be examined as well.
• Physical causes of the phenomena must be excluded.
• The seriousness of the phenomena, the consequences on child and family is determined, and the duration of the problems.

A problem at determining ADHD is that often contradictory information between the child, teachers and parents is given. When parents and teachers give contradictory information, the information of the teacher is of the most value. At contradictory information between child and parent, the information of the parent is usually most reliable.