What Can a Parent Do If They Suspect Their Child Is ADHD?
First, have the child evaluated by your family physician with a complete physical examination so as to rule out any other medical condition which would cause ADD type symptoms. The Physician should first have the parent remove any foods, chemicals , or preservatives from the childs diet so as to determine whether the child is allergic to these substances and producing hyperactive behavior. Second, have the child evaluated by a clinical psychologist or school psychologist. They will administer and interpret psychological and educational tests of achievement, social /emotional adjustment, cognition, perception, and language development. The later test contains testing of intelligence, attention span, visual-motor skills, memory, and impulsivity. Mental health professionals and psychologist interpret the data collected from teachers and parents who complete behavior rating scales regarding the child in question. These tests can provide information as to whether the childs difficulties are
