What Parents Should Know About ADHD Diagnosis and Care

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood, affecting approximately 7% to 8% of children and youth in the US. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), this prevalence exceeds the capacity of the mental health system alone, so pediatricians play a key role in evaluation and management.

If your child is at least 4 years old and is having problems with attention, focus, hyperactivity, impulsivity, or a combination of these, schedule an appointment with your child’s primary care doctor. According to the AAP, here’s what your doctor should do:

  1. Take a thorough history. Your doctor should ask many questions about what is going on, and you should be ready to give detailed examples of your child’s behaviors.
  2. Use standardized questionnaires. You will complete a questionnaire about your child’s behaviors, and your doctor will ask you to provide a similar form for your child’s teacher or guidance counselor.
  3. Make a diagnosis. A diagnosis of ADHD is made only if a child has symptoms that are
  4. Apply reliable rating scales. Tools like the Vanderbilt and Conners assessments have been validated and help not only in making the diagnosis but also in tracking progress over time.
  5. Screen for other conditions. Learning disabilities, depression, and hearing problems can mimic ADHD. Children with ADHD may also have these or other issues, so thorough screening is essential.

Treatment and Follow-Up

If a diagnosis of ADHD is confirmed, your pediatrician should discuss treatment options with you, which may include behavioral therapies and medication. Early on, visits should be frequent to finalize the diagnosis, identify any coexisting conditions, and adjust medication type and dose if prescribed.

Once treatment is underway, follow-up appointments should be regular and scheduled—not only in response to problems—to monitor progress. ADHD can present challenges throughout life, and consistent collaboration between you, your child, and your doctor helps meet those challenges effectively.

Watch a video of Dr. Erica Lee discussing behavioral therapies to help children with ADHD.