Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly known as ADHD, is a term that you may have heard before but might not know very much about. ADHD is a disorder that is characterized by a distinct pattern of signs, but you may just associate it with someone who can't sit still for an extended period of time. If you have a child that seems to be much more rambunctious than the other children in their age group you might start to believe that they have ADHD. Before you jump the gun, there are a few things you need to do so you can get a proper diagnosis.
Go See An ADHD Specialist
Because the Internet is filled with so many different symptoms about all kinds of illnesses and diseases, it's easy to read a few web pages and automatically assume that your child does indeed have ADHD. So many of the sites might contain information that absolutely confirms your suspicions about the wellbeing of your little one. After you've gotten a few virtual confirmations, you probably feel like you know for certain that your child has the disorder.
Although it is tempting to become an armchair doctor or psychiatrist, you must resist that urge and get a professional opinion. An ADHD specialist is a great medical expert to visit. They have spent additional time beyond their regular medical school education to focus on learning as much as they can about how to diagnose and treat ADHD. These doctors run specific tests and based on the output of the examination they can determine if your child does indeed have ADHD.
Find Out Your Child's Learning Style
If you are concerned about your child because their teachers constantly send home notes detailing the behavior that your child is displaying at school, it's a good idea to find out if there could be a learning discrepancy. Your child might have a different learning style than the one they are being presented at school, and because of this, they act out when the teacher is trying to lead instruction.
This website contains a few links to virtual pages you can visit to take a quiz and find out what your child's learning style is. Compare the results against the regular teaching methods at the local school to see if maybe your child needs to be in an environment that more closely matches their style.
Being patient with your child and letting them know you are there is the most important step in the process. If it is determined that your child does have ADHD, you can get them on a treatment plan right away.
