Have you noticed that your child is having difficulty paying attention or staying still?
Or have you observed that they act impulsively and interrupt others in the classroom or in other social situations?
If this is the case, they may have ADHD, otherwise known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by persistent behaviors related to impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention.
If you suspect that your child may have ADHD, it can be scary and overwhelming.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help.
At New Horizon Wellness Services, we offer mental health teletherapy so that you can easily have access to treatments for mental disorders, like ADHD.
Furthermore, our psychological diagnostic services include comprehensive assessments to identify your child’s struggles and symptoms and evaluate the presence of ADHD.
Keep reading to learn more about how to tell if your child has ADHD and the services available to you.
How Can You Tell If Your Child Has ADHD?
As we mentioned, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects your child’s ability to focus and/or stay still.
Knowing what symptoms to look for and which of those are present in your child, can help determine what kind of treatment they could benefit from.
Symptoms of ADHD can include those related to hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulties holding attention.
Here are some overall common symptoms of ADHD to look out for:
- Difficulty sitting still
- Difficulty focusing
- Issues with impulsivity control
- Not paying attention to details
- Talking excessively
- Physical hyperactivity
- Interrupting others when talking
- Being impatient
- Intruding on other people’s activities
- Procrastinating completing tasks
- Losing things frequently
- Difficulty following instructions
- Forgetfulness
- Being disorganized
- Trouble listening
- Fidgeting and squirming while sitting
- Being easily distracted
You should be aware that the signs and symptoms of ADHD may also be present in other conditions as well.
Some of these conditions include:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Sensory processing disorder
- Mood disorders
- Language and learning problems
- Behavioral problems
- Traumatic brain injury
- Sleep disorders
It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between your child having ADHD or another condition, especially at a young age.
A psychological evaluation can be beneficial in determining the underlying cause of their symptoms and developing respective treatment plans that meet their particular needs.
How Does A Clinical Psychologist Diagnose ADHD?
It’s a good idea to speak to a clinical psychologist regarding your child’s ADHD diagnosis, or suspected diagnosis.
Aside from screening for ADHD, a trained clinical psychologist will also look at co-existing conditions, like the ones mentioned above, that may have similar signs and symptoms.
Here at New Horizon Wellness Services, we offer psychological and diagnostic evaluations that can help determine your child’s condition.
Let’s go into more detail on the process you can expect from a clinical psychologist when evaluating the presence of ADHD.
1. Initial Consultation
Your child’s ADHD evaluation will begin with an initial consultation.
During this consultation a trained clinical psychologist will sit down and talk with you and your child.
They will generally get additional feedback from other people in your child’s life, such as other adults, nannies, teachers, and others.
The information gathered from your child and the people that they interact with can provide considerable information about various aspects of their life and behavior.
This consultation process is typically used to determine your child’s:
- Strengths and weaknesses
- Social history and interactions
- Family history
- Medical history
- Understanding of ADHD
While this consultation process may provide a good indication regarding the presence of ADHD, additional tests will typically be recommended.
2. Specific ADHD Tests
Specific ADHD tests can be beneficial in determining the presence of ADHD, as well as ruling out any other conditions that may share similar symptoms.
The exact measures needed are determined based on the individual needs of the client.
Some of the tests that may be used here include:
- ADHD rating scales
- IQ testing
- Broad-spectrum scales
- Tests of specific abilities
- Tests of Sensory Processing
At What Age Should My Child See A Clinical Psychologist For ADHD?
If you’ve noticed that your child is having difficulties with maintaining their focus or acting impulsively, it’s a good idea to have them see a clinical psychologist as early as possible.
Evaluating young children for ADHD can be difficult, as they may have other developmental problems that are not ADHD.
Age ten seems to be a good age to formally assess the presence of ADHD.
Typically an ADHD diagnosis has to include symptoms that are present before the age of twelve.
By then a clinical psychologist can evaluate their social interactions, their struggles learning, and other aspects used to determine the presence of ADHD.
However, regardless of age, if you notice any symptoms it’s recommended to go and see a clinical psychologist.
Early intervention can help your child learn how to manage their symptoms and stay on track.
Will My Child Need Medication If They Have ADHD?
Treatment options for ADHD revolve around improving your child’s function and reducing the severity of their symptoms.
Treatments can include therapy, education, and prescribed medication, or a combination of those treatment options.
ADHD medication has been pretty well established for being effective in providing treatment for children with ADHD.
The most common types of medications that are effectively used in the treatment of ADHD are stimulants.
Although non stimulant options are also available.
If you have concerns with your child taking medication for their ADHD, it’s a good idea to look into other treatment options that are available to you.
Does A High IQ Mean My Child Doesn’t Have ADHD?
No.
These are two unrelated things.
Children of all intellectual abilities can be similarly affected by ADHD.
Is There A Cure For ADHD?
There is no cure for ADHD that’s currently known.
However, it’s still a good idea to get a diagnosis.
Working with a clinical psychologist can help you start working on methods to manage your symptoms.
There are numerous treatment options available to help reduce the severity of your symptoms and increase your function.
Book Your Appointment With New Horizons Wellness Services Today
Have you noticed that your child is displaying signs and symptoms of ADHD?
A comprehensive ADHD assessment can help determine the extent of their ADHD and the presence of any co-existing conditions.
Here at New Horizon Wellness services we offer mental health therapy and psychological diagnostic services to help your child live a happier and more fulfilled life.
Book your appointment with New Horizons Wellness Services today.
Yours in Health,
New Horizons Wellness Services13333 SW 68th Pkwy,
Tigard, OR 97223
- https://g.page/newhws
New Horizons Wellness Services provides a true multidisciplinary approach to mental & physical health treatments for children, adults and families.