Diagnosis



ADHD is diagnosed by the child's doctor, with input from the family and other professionals. These professionals include the following:
 * speech-language pathologists (SLPs)
 * regular, special education, and resource teachers
 * nurses
 * psychologists
 * employers (when applicable)

Assessments by the speech-language pathologist (SLP) may include some or all of the following:
 * Observing the interactions with peers and authority figures in the classroom/work setting and during formal testing
 * Observing conversation with parents and other family members
 * Interviewing parents/caregivers about speech and language development
 * Interviewing the child to evaluate self-awareness of needs and difficulties, as age appropriate
 * Formally evaluating speech and language skills, such as fluency (whether or not child stutters), speech articulation (pronunciation and clarity of speech), understanding and use of grammar (syntax), understanding and use of vocabulary (semantics ), awareness of speech sounds (phonemic awareness)
 * Evaluating the ability to explain or retell a story, centering on a topic and chaining a sequence of events together
 * Assessing social communication skills (pragmatic language)
 * Discussing stories and the points of view of various characters
 * Assessing the ability to plan, organize, and attend to details

Back To Home Page