I think my child may have ADHD. How do I find out for sure? | by Dr. Nicholas Kyriazi

Colorado Health & Wellness magazine, Ask The Dr

Posted on Thu, May 17, 2018

A child may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) if there is an issue with a lack of attention, hyperactivity and/or impulse control. A child can have any combination of one, two or three of these problems to have ADHD; however, a lack of attention is central to having ADHD.

Dr. Nicholas Kyriazi, 
Littleton Pediatric Medical Center

Dr. Nicholas Kyriazi

Children who have attention problems but no hyperactivity or impulsivity will be more difficult to notice because they usually do not cause any problems with the normal flow of the classroom. To have ADHD, the symptoms must cause a problem to the point that it is a disorder: it disorders the normal home, school or extra-curricular activities of life.

A child’s pediatrician is usually equipped with starting and completing an evaluation for ADHD. An in-depth interview with the child and parents, along with using specific forms to collect data from parents and teachers, starts the process. The pediatrician will also look for signs of a possible learning disability since there’s a correlation between the two. Half of children with a learning disability also have ADHD, and a quarter of children with ADHD have a learning disability.

Littleton Pediatric Medical Center
Highlands Ranch

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