Assessment and diagnosis
The starting point is not necessarily to identify any specific condition if your child is displaying difficulties at home and at school.
Before contacting any professional, write a list of bullet points with aspects of your child’s behaviour that concern you.
Speak to the school to determine what they themselves have observed and have a discussion about the possibility of a referral for further assessment.
Referrals can also be made by your GP if he or she thinks that the problems are so significant that they are causing genuine difficulties for you or your child.
Clinicians will usually ask for information from home and school and ask you to complete an initial screening assessment and then a rating scale. It is important that both symptoms and impairment can be demonstrated for a diagnosis.
If the diagnosis of ADHD is given, it does not mean that medication will be necessary and much will depend upon how severe the presentation is, and whether or not you want to explore that treatment route.
It is good practice to consult with your child and explain to them what the options are, and how medication may help them.