What If My Child Begins to Exhibit Symptoms of ADHD?

Call a doctor if:

• You notice that you or your child has symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that began before age 7.
• Your child is showing signs of ADHD, such as inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity, that are causing problems at home or school. Parents and teachers often notice this behavior during the child's first few years in school.
• Your child shows signs of other mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety, that last more than a few weeks or seem to be getting worse.
• Your child is having academic or behavioral problems at school.

Watchful Waiting

Preschool children

For young children who show signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, watchful waiting is appropriate. It is difficult to diagnose ADHD in children younger than age 5. Young children generally have short attention spans, and their normal range of behavior includes periods of high activity and impulsivity. If you notice any ADHD symptoms in your preschooler that do not seem age-appropriate, work with your child to improve behavior. Keep a record of your child's behavior for 6 months to see if it improves. If it continues or has consequences, such as being expelled from day care or preschool, talk with your doctor about having your child evaluated.

School-age and teen years

Watchful waiting is not appropriate for school-age children and teens with ADHD symptoms. Children need attention from a doctor if they have behavior problems that occur in more than one setting, such as poor relationships with parents and poor academic performance.

Problems caused by inattention may not become significant until the teen years, when greater self-reliance is expected. A change in school (such as advancing to junior high or high school) or a new environment (such as moving to another city) can trigger problems with inattention. If you think your child may have an inattention problem, see a doctor to find out if ADHD is the cause.

Adults

Watchful waiting may not be appropriate if you are an adult and think that you may have ADHD. Consider how long you have experienced symptoms, and think about any major changes or difficult situations that are affecting your life. Your symptoms may improve when you have addressed and worked on those issues. But talk to a doctor if your symptoms concern you. If you have other symptoms, such as depression or anxiety, a doctor can help diagnose and treat your problems.

Who To See

Health professionals who can diagnose and treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with medicine include:

• Family medicine doctors.
• Pediatricians (may specialize in developmental problems).
• Psychiatrists (may specialize in adults or children and adolescents).
• Neurologists (may specialize in child or adult nervous systems).
• Nurse practitioners who specialize in psychiatry.

Health professionals who do not prescribe medicines but can provide behavioral therapy or family counseling include:

• Psychologists. Psychologists also frequently diagnose ADHD.
• Behavioral specialists.
• Social workers.
• Psychiatric nurse specialists.
• Licensed professional counselors.
• Family therapists.

Ask your health professional about his or her training and experience related to ADHD. Diagnosing and treating ADHD requires an ability to identify and distinguish behaviors that can be subtle and complicated. In addition, make sure your health professional has enough time to evaluate you or your child. Accurate diagnosis and successful treatment of ADHD takes repeated office visits and observations. It is also necessary that your health professional be able to coordinate between other health professionals, family members, teachers, and caregivers.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.