| Diagnosing a learning disability or a medical condition | | | | ADHD characteristics for an extended period of time |
| like ADHD can be complicated and inexact. In the case | | | | and in different environments (school, home, play..etc). |
| of ADHD, many of the telltale symptoms are also | | | | Because many of the symptoms of ADHD are also |
| often symptoms of regular childhood behavior -- | | | | common symptoms of depression or anxiety, the |
| restlessness, rowdiness, and a tendency to be easily | | | | doctor or psychologist evaluating your child will want to |
| distracted. ADHD is treated differently from learning | | | | make sure that your child is not simply reacting to |
| disabilities because it is thought to be different in nature. | | | | specific situations. According to the Psychiatric |
| While most learning disabilities can be diagnosed | | | | Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of |
| through specific testing, ADHD requires a more subtle | | | | Mental Disorders, which is often used in ADHD |
| diagnosis through comprehensive evaluation.A learning | | | | research studies, common symptoms include:-Difficulty |
| disability is generally caused by a neurological | | | | organizing tasks and activities-Often losing things |
| difference in the brain structure of a child that makes it | | | | necessary for tasks or activities-Often easily |
| difficult for him or her to process information in the | | | | distracted by outside stimuli-Not listening when spoken |
| same way as others. Learning disabilities rarely have | | | | to directly-Difficulty awaiting turn-Difficulty playing or |
| anything to do with intelligence level and are generally | | | | engaging in leisure activities quietlyThere is no single |
| not treated with medication, as medication can do | | | | specific test that will diagnose ADHD and each child |
| nothing to change a brain's "wiring," or structure. | | | | will exhibit symptoms in a slightly different way. As |
| Children with learning disabilities have to be trained to | | | | there are also no genetic indicators of ADHD, |
| compensate for them, and after they are diagnosed, | | | | diagnosis requires extensive and thorough evaluation. |
| schools can help them by providing extra time on tests | | | | The U.S. Department of Education does not require a |
| or other taking other special measures.ADHD is not | | | | clinical diagnosis, which means that for school |
| considered to be a learning disability as it is thought to | | | | purposes, if a school allows it, a school psychologist |
| be caused by an absence of the neurotransmitter | | | | can diagnose ADHD in your child. If after careful |
| norepinephrine in parts of the brain, and not necessarily | | | | consultation you determine that your child does have |
| by the brain's "wiring." Medication can sometimes be | | | | ADHD, be sure to evaluate multiple behavioral and |
| used as a successful child ADHD treatment because | | | | medical or herbal options for treatment for ADHD |
| certain kinds increase the production of | | | | before deciding on the one you feel is best for your |
| neurotransmitters (such as Ritalin), but these | | | | child.Webmaster: You are authorized to reprint this |
| medications can also cause disturbing side effects in | | | | article providing the author bio/resource box is left |
| some children.In order for your child to be diagnosed | | | | completely in tact - including all hyperlinks. |
| with ADHD, he or she must have consistently exhibited | | | | |