Children with attention-deficit disorder (ADD) or attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) suffer from the limited ability to focus and control behavior and impulses. If left untreated, these disorders can lead to social problems, low self esteem and problems in school. Although no cure for ADD or ADHD exists, a variety of treatments, including medications and therapy, can help manage the condition. There are no formal tests for ADD or ADHD, but, as a parent, there are several factors you can ask your doctor to examine to help diagnose your child for either condition.

Diagnosis Criteria

ADD and ADHD are often diagnosed using criteria listed for the conditions under the DSM-IV, or the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. The manual provides several examples of inattentive behavior such as listening when being spoken to, hyperactive behavior such as constant fidgeting or squirming and impulsive behavior such as difficulty waiting for turns. Review these criteria and discuss any listed behaviors you've noticed in your child with your doctor.

Assessments

Ask your doctor to assess your child using one of several behavioral assessments designed to determine if your child exhibits typical ADD or ADHD mannerisms. The 55-question Vanderbilt Assessment Scale asks questions about a child's behavior according to the DSM-IV criteria for diagnosing ADD/ADHD. The BASC provides a scale by which to evaluate common ADD/ADHD behavior such as hyperactivity, aggression and anxiety. The Child Behavior Checklist assesses the child's conduct for delinquent behavior and/or withdrawal.

Interviews

In addition to talking with you about your child's behavior, have your doctor talk with your child's teachers, other authority figures such as your child's athletic coach or babysitter and your child. Conducting these interviews can also help the doctor identify ADD and ADHD. The evaluating physician will ask questions about the child's health, medical history, symptoms and behaviors in school, at home and in other social situations and evaluate answers against the DSM-IV criteria.

Analyzing Findings

After conducting interviews and assessments that reveal typical ADD/ADHD behaviors in the child, have your doctor make sure that your child's behavior is not caused by another condition with similar symptoms such as depression, Asperger's Syndrome or Tourette's Syndrome. In many cases, these conditions co-exist with ADD or ADHD. If your child is diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, ask your doctor if he can make specialized ADD/ADHD diagnoses based on your child's behavior. For instance, a child with predominately inattentive type ADHD exhibits many of the inattentive behavior criteria listed in the DSM-IV. Further analyzing these behaviors will help the doctor come up with treatment that is appropriate for the nature of the condition.

Source:

Mayo Clinic: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children

HelpGuide.org: Diagnosing ADHD in Children

WebMD: ADHD Tests, Evaluation and Exams

Resource:

BehaveNet.com: Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD