AD/HD
Diagnosis
In order to ensure an accurate diagnosis of AD/HD, a joint approach
between clinical and educational professionals is essential. There are
guidelines used internationally by highly trained clinicians (child and
adolescent psychiatrists, neurologists or paediatricians) to diagnose
children with AD/HD (Knivsberg, Reichelt, & Nodland, 1999). Such medical
guidelines detail the criteria for diagnosis. In the UK, clinicians use
the World Health Organisation’s ICD-10 (International Statistical
Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems). In America,
clinicians use the American Psychiatric Association DSM-IV (The
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (ADDISS, 2004;
Myttas, 2004).
Initially clinicians will obtain a comprehensive developmental history
followed by an assessment of current behavioural characteristics of the
child by parents and teachers. This is usually followed by a
neurological examination. When professionals look for indicators of
AD/HD, they exclude behaviours or conditions that could be misconstrued
as AD/HD. They must distinguish between AD/HD and other conditions, and
also determine the primary condition sorting out what may be secondary
or tertiary (co-morbid) conditions. A detailed psychological profile may
also be required and conducted by a clinical or educational psychologist
(Flick, 1998). Due to other problems that may co-exist with AD/HD as
mentioned above, diagnosis may remain a matter of trial and error.
Clinicians must monitor the response to treatment carefully (Thomson,
2000).
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Last Updated 9/2/2006