ADHD - Identification & Treatment

How Do You Know if a Child Has AD/HD?

When a child shows signs of AD/HD, he or she needs to be evaluated by a trained professional. This person may work for the school system or may be a professional in private practice. A complete evaluation is the only way to know for sure if the child has AD/HD. It is also important to:

• rule out other reasons for the child’s behavior, and
• find out if the child has other disabilities along with AD/HD.

What About Treatment?

There is no quick treatment for AD/HD. However, the symptoms of AD/HD can be managed. It’s important that the child’s family and teachers:

• find out more about AD/HD;
• learn how to help the child manage his or her behavior;
• create an educational program that fits the child’s individual needs; and
• provide medication, if parents and the doctor feel this would help the child.

Adapted from information published by the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities