ADHD Screenings in Glenn Dale, MD
Children can be easily distracted and it’s normal for them to not always be focused, especially at a young age. However, when is it something more serious that they might be dealing with? ADHD can affect your child’s ability to focus and pay attention on things like school or important discussions. If you notice that your child is fidgety, has trouble focusing, or their teachers let you know that they’re constantly distracted, it’s important to talk to your child’s pediatrician as soon as possible to get an exam and see if your child might be dealing with ADHD.
Diagnosing ADHD
ADHD can manifest in each child differently and there isn’t a direct test that can be done. It’s important to talk to your child’s pediatrician if you start noticing any common signs of ADHD. These could include:
- Impulsive behavior
- Inability to focus
- Constant forgetfulness
- Fidgeting
- Hyperactivity
- Easily distracted
You should be sure to keep track of any of these behaviors so that you can discuss it with your child’s pediatrician. From there, they may continue to see if your child does display signs of ADHD. Testing for ADHD is usually done through play. Your child’s pediatrician might observe your child playing to see what behaviors may be exhibited.
Their pediatrician will also talk to them and watch for any specific behaviors or signs of ADHD. From there, once your child is officially diagnosed, you and their pediatrician can discuss the next steps. It’s important to help your child manage their ADHD so that they can succeed and have the best chance of being able to focus and live their best life.
What To Expect From An ADHD Screening
- An initial meeting with you and your child-This step will help identify your child’s strengths and challenges. We will look at challenges in the three key areas of home, school, and social relationships. It’s important to talk about your child’s strengths, interests, and passions as well
- Detailed health information- Your doctor will ask about any developmental milestones, allergies, appetite, sleep patterns, and previous medical problems
- Checking how your child is doing in school- We will look at report cards and teacher evaluations
- Making sure official criteria for diagnosis are met- People of different ages need to have a certain number of symptoms to get an ADHD diagnosis
- A follow-up meeting-This is to go over the results and explore possible treatments. Your doctor might talk about changing family routines and getting support at school
The first step in treating ADHD is getting a diagnosis from your doctor. Once a diagnosis is made, we develop a plan by making treatment recommendations and collaborating with other professionals and important adults in your child’s life. In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of medication and behavior therapy, such as limiting the amount of daily screen time, developing healthy eating habits, and participating in physical activities. Following this treatment plan reduces your child’s symptoms.