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Process of Diagnosis - ADD and ADHD

For the process of diagnosis there are a few observations that need to be done. The child’s past and present teachers are asked to rate their observations of the child’s behavior.  Also a specialist interviews the child’s teacher and parents. They are asked how the child reacts in certain situations.

Diagnosis

The child's teachers, past and present, are asked to rate their observations of the child's behavior on standardized evaluation forms, known as behavior rating scales, to compare the child's behavior to that of other children the same age. While rating scales might seem overly subjective, teachers often get to know so many children that their judgment of how a child compares to others is usually a reliable and valid measure.

The specialist interviews the child's teachers and parents, and may contact other people who know the child well, such as coaches or baby-sitters. Parents are asked to describe their child's behavior in a variety of situations. They may also fill out a rating scale to indicate how severe and frequent the behaviors seem to be.

In most cases, the child will be evaluated for social adjustment and mental health. Tests of intelligence and learning achievement may be given to see if the child has a learning disability and whether the disability is in one or more subjects.

Related Keywords:  observations, interviews, behavior, tests, ADD, ADHD

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