The diagnosis of ADHD is not easy to make because there is no specific test or medical examination.
- Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity affects up to 5% of children in France.
- The consequences of this disorder are important in the daily life of the child and can disrupt his schooling.
- To make a diagnosis of ADHD, collaboration between doctors, psychologists and teachers is necessary.
Between 3.5 and 5.6% of school children suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity (ADD/H) in France. Even if it is better known and diagnosed nowadays, consulting a professional as soon as possible allows for multidisciplinary care that is beneficial for the child.
What are the characteristics of ADHD?
Although it manifests itself in different ways, ADHD has consequences in all areas of a child’s life, whether at home, at school or in other environments. While some show more hyperactivity and impulsivity, others have more symptoms of inattention.
Being considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, ADHD is not a curable disease, however the maturation of the brain during adolescence would allow some children to see their symptoms diminish or even disappear.
The importance of early diagnosis
If inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity can be observed in many children, they are more pronounced and chronic in those with ADHD, often alerting parents and those around them or the teacher.
However, the diagnosis is not easy to make because there is no specific test or medical examination. The specialist performs a thorough assessment of the child and his environment, examining his development from birth, his behavior at home, at school and elsewhere as well as his evolution in school.
To facilitate the diagnosis, certain tools are used according to the behavioral criteria defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), but also psychological and neuropsychological tests as well as behavioral scales completed by parents and teachers.
The multidisciplinary approach for the diagnosis
The evaluation of a child with ADHD must involve several health and education professionals such as doctors, psychologists, teachers, educators, social workers or occupational therapists. Each professional brings his expertise to obtain a global vision of the child, his needs and his functioning in different contexts.
Contrary to what one may sometimes think, ADHD is not seen as a simple fad but it is a real disorder that requires appropriate care and appropriate support in all aspects of the child’s life. .
Find out more: “ADHD in children – practical advice for hyperactive children” by Elizabeth Sophie Wright and Christelle Graciot.
