An ADHD diagnosis often answers some big, life-long questions. Then, it quickly raisesnew ones:What exactly does this mean? What are our options? Where do we go from here?
ADDitude surveyed its community about the important questions you want, and need, answered after you or your child receives an ADHD diagnosis. We asked experts to provide insights and advice to clear up confusion and illuminate a clear path forward.
1. Who is best suited to treat ADHD, and how do I find a qualified professional?
This is the most common question parents and adults ask. It is a reflection of how few experienced ADHD clinicians there are in the world. A survey done at the Mayo Clinic about eight years ago found that the average parents of children with ADHD consulted 11 clinicians before they found one they thought was well prepared.
For a good outcome, ADHD medication and counseling will both be needed. Medications level the neurological playing field so that the person with ADHD has the same attention span, impulse control, and level of arousal as anyone else. The professionals licensed to prescribe controlled substances vary by state. Physicians and nurse practitioners almost always have this authority. Some states also include physician assistants. But you can’t stop at just medication. The work of helping the whole family learn about ADHD, and helping the person with ADHD deal with the emotional aspect, can be done by psychologists, counselors, coaches, and other professionals.
In short, there is no particular specialty or advanced degree that is intrinsically better able to diagnose and treat ADHD. You are looking for someone who wants to treat ADHD — someone who has been willing to put in thousands of hours of her own time to become skilled at it. How do you find one of these rare clinicians?
[The ADDitude Directory: Find ADHD Specialists Near You]
- Start by asking friends, family members, parents of your child’s classmates, and members of nearby CHADD or ADDA support groups who they go to and whether they are happy with the care they are receiving.
- Speak to your shortlist of recommended clinicians and ask: How long have you been working with patients with ADHD? What percentage of your patients have ADHD? Have you received any training in the diagnosis or treatment of ADHD? What is involved in the diagnosis—written tests/interviews? Your typical treatment plan — behavior modification, medication, alternative therapies? What are the costs involved? Do you accept my insurance?
- Be willing to travel to get the initial evaluation from an expert in ADHD. Many can put you in touch with a provider closer to home for recommended services.
— William Dodson, M.D
2. Why wasn’t my ADHD diagnosed earlier?
ADHD is no longer considered a “childhood” diagnosis. Since 2014, more adults have been diagnosed with ADHD than children or adolescents. The average age at diagnosis is now in the early 30s. This evolution is due to a number of reasons.
[Take the ADHD Symptom Test for Adults]
Historically, disruptive hyperactivity has defined the condition, and even now the rowdy little boy comes to mind when ADHD is mentioned. Only a minority of children with ADHD, however, are overtly hyperactive, so the condition often goes undiagnosed.
When the condition’s name was changed to emphasize inattention (in 1980, in DSM-3), hyperactivity was no longer required for the diagnosis. Only then was it acknowledged that girls were equally likely to have ADHD, and that ADHD usually persisted into adult life. But even now, we still do not have diagnostic criteria for adults with ADHD that have been research-validated. Many doctors are unaware that adults can be impaired by ADHD.
ADHD often goes undiagnosed because it carries positive traits as well. Adults with ADHD are gifted in creativity, inventiveness, and out-of-the-box problem-solving. The current term for this is “cognitive dynamism.” Although distractible, when people with ADHD “get in the zone,” they have relentless determination and become deeply engaged in the task they have found to be so fascinating. These people find a multitude of executive function compensations for their ADHD impairments, which allow them to perform at a high level and not be recognized as having ADHD.
Having a supportive family is vital. The most important thing is to have parents who consistently make the distinction between you as a person and the struggles and failures that come with ADHD. They help, encourage, and support the child who must work twice as hard for half as much. Some families can afford private schools, with lower student-teacher ratios and extra academic help. They subscribe to enrichment programs that allow the child with ADHD to pursue things that interest him.
All of these factors delay the realization that ADHD is an unseen cause of life struggles. Ironically, most adults come in for diagnosis due to a success rather than a failure. Some new demand for coping with ADHD occurs, and someone doesn’t know how to compensate any further. From the outside, it appears as if the inability to find further compensations seems to happen suddenly. But in reality it is the last straw that causes all of the executive function compensations, built up over a lifetime, to collapse. —William Dodson, M.D.
3. What are my treatment options aside from stimulant medication?
It depends on the severity of ADHD symptoms and the level of impairment. Stimulant medications are the main treatment for ADHD symptoms — especially when symptoms are significant and impairing—but there are alternative ways to address mild to moderate ADHD in children or adults without using medication. The first step is optimizing attention, executive functions, and emotional self-regulation through psychotherapy, skill training, parent training, or coaching.
The second is creating a healthier lifestyle to promote brain health. Here are some things that help.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you understand your symptoms and learn strategies for managing them. There is solid evidence that CBT benefits adults, though some children and teens may benefit as well, especially if there are additional difficulties like oppositional defiant disorder or anxiety.
- Improve sleep by exercising during the day, creating a regular sleep schedule, practicing good sleep hygiene (e.g., not using electronics an hour before bedtime), and/or using melatonin.
- Eat clean by eliminating sugary or processed foods and adding whole foods (the Mediterranean diet is a good option).For some, reducing or eliminating gluten, dairy, or eggs, which can cause brain fog in sensitive individuals, makes a difference.
- Support the brain with micronutrient supplements. If a healthy diet is hard to implement (e.g., picky eating) or if someone is at risk for deficiencies, then adding micronutrients such as zinc, magnesium, or iron can be helpful. Your clinician can help you evaluate for deficiencies.There is also research that suggests that broad micronutrient supplementation helps ADHD symptoms.
- Exercise helps cognitive function and hyperactive/restless symptoms while promoting healthy sleep and stress reduction.
- Mindfulness improves core ADHD symptoms and emotion regulation. The evidence is more robust for adults with ADHD, but there are also studies with children and adolescents. For best results, find a mindfulness resource (app, book, therapist, coach) that incorporates knowledge of ADHD challenges into its training.
If the above strategies prove hard to follow or are ineffective, or if there is a degree of urgency due to failing grades or a risk of being fired, discuss stimulant medication (methylphenidate or amphetamine-based) and/or non-stimulant medication with your doctor. Medication supports executive function skills and health habits, and as that happens, the dose and the overall need for medication can be re-evaluated. — Lidia Zylowska, M.D.
4. How can I tell if the ADHD medication is working? How long does it take to see benefits?
One of the best ways to gauge a person’s progress while taking ADHD medication is to monitor the medication’s effects on the individual’s target symptoms: These are the symptoms that impair the person the most in his everyday life.
With each dosage increase, the person should see improvement in his target symptoms with no side effects — except perhaps for a mild and transient loss of appetite. The dose can be increased once a week or so for children as long as you see improvement without side effects. Late adolescents and adults, who are more observant and articulate about their response to medications, can increase their dose more quickly. At some point there will be no further improvement when the dose is increased. At that point, the previous dose is the optimal dose — the one that produces the highest level of performance without side effects.
- The best way to monitor a child’s taking medication is the Conners 3 Global Index (Conners 3GI). This assessment compares your child’s impulsivity and emotional lability to other children of the same age and gender who do not have ADHD. The index should be completed each week on each new dose of medication by both the parent and the teacher. As long as the score keeps going down and there are no significant side effects, you can increase the dose of medication. When the score no longer improves, you have found the optimal dose.
- Adults can monitor their progress using the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS) –Self Report, which is free and in the public domain.
- The Computerized Continuous Performance Test (CPT) can give an objective snapshot of the effects a single dose of medication has on impairments of ADHD for people from age three to 90. A baseline assessment is usually done without medication, followed by tests on various doses of medication until the optimal lowest dose is found.
The various stimulant formulations are effective as soon as they reach the brain. At one hour after taking the pill, what you see is what you get. A parent of a child with ADHD or an adult who has been diagnosed will see many of the benefits and side effects from medication within 60 minutes. — William Dodson, M.D.
5. What are the short-term and long-term side effects associated with ADHD medication?
The most common group of short-term side effects present as overstimulation. People feel revved up, agitated, have a transitory loss of appetite, headaches, and trouble falling asleep. The other set of side effects are the opposite: A person has no motivation to do anything, loses facial expression and appears flat and emotionless. In many cases, these side effects can be resolved by lowering the dose of stimulant or using another stimulant.
A significant short-term risk from the stimulants or the non-stimulant atomoxetine is their ability to trigger manic episodes in adolescents and adults with a biological predisposition to Bipolar Mood Disorder. (Interestingly, if a person is taking a mood stabilizing medication for their Bipolar Mood Disorder, the addition of a stimulant medication actually lowers the frequency of manic episodes by 60%. Similar studies of atomoxetine have not been done.) Asking a patient about a personal and family history of mood disorders should be part of an ADHD evaluation.
Some adults and parents are concerned about an increased risk of cardiovascular problems due to taking stimulants. Three large epidemiological studies — done by the FDA, following 7 million people — found no increased risk. It is always smart to talk with your doctor about any concerns or cardiovascular diagnoses you have before starting ADHD medication.
The concern about methylphenidate slowing the growth of children has been around for decades and is still unresolved. There are as many researchers who find modest growth slowing (less than one inch below projected height) as those who find no growth retardation at all. Even those who find growth slowing note that there appears to be compensatory growth when medications are discontinued. —William Dodson, M.D.
6. How do I explain ADHD to my child who has just been diagnosed?
One of the more difficult topics to explain to a child, in words they can understand, is that the child has ADHD and that the parents are trying to figure out options. This is a fairly technical discussion, and many parents do not understand the details and science of ADHD. Here are some helpful hints on how to bring up and conduct this discussion:
Think about the conversation from your child’s point of view. What does he need or want to know? What are her natural concerns going to be? This is what your child will remember and what will have a long-term impact on his or her attitude toward having an ADHD nervous system. Use these talking points when discussing ADHD with your child:
- Good news! We have found some solutions to some of the challenges of the past few months.
- This is going to be an extended process. But I will stick with you and be your ally all the way through.
- The whole family is going to learn about this together because you probably got your ADHD from me (or other parent).
- You think differently than most of your friends, but there is nothing wrong with that. You are not broken or damaged. You already know that there are times when you are smarter, more clever, and more fun than anyone you know.
- There may be some medications that can help. We’ll try them and see what they have to offer.
- I am not going to lie to you — you are going to have to work harder than the other kids in your class at school.
- We like you already just as you are. You are not going to be changed into someone you are not. You are going to be the best version of you.
No matter the age of the child, it’s important to remember that the way you present this to him or her is going to be more important than the factual content of the conversation. Tone is key, so aim for a tone that conveys, “We found the puzzle piece we’ve been missing for months” rather than “We’ve discovered that you’re damaged.” Show your child that you are celebrating this discovery because you are no longer fumbling in the dark and that you are excited to move forward together as you both figure things out. —William Dodson, M.D.
7. To what extent does my child with ADHD have control over his or her behavior?
All children past two or three years have some small degree of control over their behavior. Behavior is influenced by many factors: a child’s degree of intellectual development, the presence of developmental disorders, such as ADHD, and situations that have some motivating impact on them.
All of this is to say that there is some control that children have over their behaviors based on their age and level of development. This is also true of children diagnosed with ADHD, which is a disorder of self-regulation (and the executive functions that allow for it). This is why clinicians suggest parent training programs and school management strategies in an effort to alter a child’s behavior.
Children with ADHD are well below neurotypical children intheir range of self-control and their level of development. They cannot be expected to become like other children simply by arranging additional consequences or training them in self-regulation. They can improve, of course, in terms of controlling their behavior, but they are unlikely to catch up.
ADHD medications can temporarily help with self-control. In half or more of the cases, medications can normalize behavior in those with ADHD while it is working in the brain each day that it is taken. But parents should understand that those behavior changes are not permanent. They last only as long as the medication is active. — Russell Barkley, Ph.D.
8. How do I get an IEP or other accommodations to support my child in school?
A note from a pediatrician is not sufficient to get an IEP or accommodations for your child. The school needs to know if and how ADHD affects your child’s school performance. It is also important to determine whether there are other reasons why your child is struggling; ADHD often occurs together with learning disabilities.
Step 1. Speak to your child’s principal or guidance counselor and make a formal request in writing to the school to evaluate your child for attention and learning difficulties. This evaluation can give you and the school the information needed to confirm what might be going on with your child in terms of learning challenges.
Step 2. The evaluation will help you and the school understand whether your child’s difficulties are severe or relatively mild, whether they are limited to attention or also include learning disabilities, and whether they can be helped by accommodations only, or whether your child also requires specialized instructional support.
Students with serious ADHD, or with ADHD and learning disabilities, likely require services and supports under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). To qualify for this federal law, students must have a disability and require special education.
Step 3. If your child needs the supports provided by the IDEA (beyond just accommodations), make sure your school begins arranging an IEP (Individualized Education Program) for your child. You are part of the team that puts together the IEP.
Step 4. If your child doesn’t need the more extensive supports under the IDEA, he will likely qualify for accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This law entitles students with disabilities, including ADHD, to accommodations to enable them to function as well as possible in the classroom. —Susan Yellin, ESQ.
9. What are the long-term outcomes of ADHD?
Any child or adult with or without ADHD has many factors influencing long-term outcomes in his or her life. These include the effects of inherited traits, intelligence, health, quality of parenting and family life, sibling interactions and friendships, quality of education, and many other things over a lifetime.
There is no one outcome that comes from having ADHD. Many with ADHD are regular kids who function well in their family life, in their studies and social interactions throughout their schooling, and in eventually developing a career and adult life, despite some chronic difficulties with restlessness, inattention, and relationships. Over the course of more than 30 years of practice, I have known many children with ADHD who have grown into adults who have had successful, happy lives.
Yet many children with ADHD struggle in school, as well as in social relationships, because of their inattentiveness, restlessness, and impulsivity. Many are inconsistent in their motivation, especially when faced with tasks that are not interesting to them. This may result in chronic frustration and discouragement in their schooling, family life, and social interactions because ADHD is not just a problem with behavior, it is an inherited problem with executive functions.
Getting accurately diagnosed and receiving appropriate support and treatment can make a positive difference in a person’s long-term outcome, even if his diagnosis does not come until he is in mid-adolescence or beyond.
Treatment Leads to the Best Outcomes
For those who do not receive adequate treatment and support for their ADHD, there is a significantly increased risk of problematic longer-term outcomes, such as weaker performance in school, difficulties in employment, more risk of involvement in a motor vehicle accident, and significantly increased likelihood of developing a drug or alcohol disorder. Effective treatment makes a positive difference in the outcome of those who struggle with ADHD. — Thomas Brown, Ph.D.
10. What are the biggest risks associated with untreated ADHD symptoms?
Virtually all of the risks of ADHD come from not treating ADHD aggressively with a commitment to long-term management. To get an ADHD diagnosis, there must be impairment in at least two areas of life functioning — at home, at work, at school, in relationships, etc. This is an easy criterion to meet because ADHD impairs just about every area of life functioning.
Parents worry constantly about their children. Will they be safe? Will they have friends? Will they stay out of trouble with drugs, pregnancy, and juvenile justice? Will they marry happily and be able to raise children who will thrive in the world? Untreated ADHD makes all of these less likely, but early- and long-term treatment lowers the following risks dramatically:
- Driving accidents: Young adults with ADHD are at a 45% greater risk for car crashes than those who do not have the condition. However, research shows that around 22.1 percent of possible crashes were prevented by the use of ADHD medications.
- Academic failure: Most people with untreated ADHD do graduate from high school, but adults with ADHD earn approximately 17% less than their peers without ADHD.
- Substance abuse: People with childhood ADHD are nearly twice as likely to develop a substance use disorder as are individuals who don’t have childhood ADHD.However, the risk ofsubstance abuse decreases substantially when patients are treated with stimulant medication.
- Trouble with the law: Teens and adults with ADHD are four to seven times more likely than those without the condition to break the law, but are much less likely to commit a crime if they are being treated with ADHD medication.
- Suicidality: Nearly one in four women with ADHD has attempted suicide, according to Canada’s Archives of Suicide Research study, which found that adults with ADHD in general are five times more likely to attempt suicide than are their neurotypical peers. Luckily, other research has shown that suicidality in children with hyperactivity, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and other behavioral disorders may be decreased by ADHD medication.
- Relationships: Some studies suggest that the divorce rate among couples touched by ADHD is as much as twice that of the general population. — William Dodson, M.D.
ADHD Diagnosis Questions and Concerns: Next Steps
- Download: Free Expert Overview of Common ADHD Diagnosis Mistakes
- Symptom Checker: Could Your Symptoms Point to a Diagnosis Beyond ADHD?
- Understand: The Building Blocks of a Good ADHD Diagnosis
SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.
Previous Article Next Article
FAQs
What questions to ask after ADHD diagnosis? ›
What are the treatments for ADHD and how will I know if the treatments are working? What are the possible side effects of different ADHD medications? What types of therapy may help? Do exercise, sleep, and diet make a difference in ADHD?
What happens after a diagnosis of ADHD? ›If the GP thinks your child may have ADHD, they may first suggest a period of "watchful waiting" – lasting around 10 weeks – to see if your child's symptoms improve, stay the same or get worse. They may also suggest starting a group-based, ADHD-focused parent training or education programme.
How do you compensate for ADHD? ›- Declutter your home and office. Give yourself an appealing work environment and keep important items easily accessible.
- Reduce distractions. ...
- Jot down ideas as they come to you.
...
ADHD: 7 Life Skills Your Child Needs to Master
- Independence. ...
- Time Management. ...
- Organization. ...
- Money. ...
- Medications. ...
- Relationship Skills. ...
- Wise Decision-Making.
If your doctor dismisses your concerns regarding yourself or your child, trust your gut — if you have challenging symptoms that interfere with your life, you deserve help, and should seek a second opinion.
How do you feel after ADHD diagnosis? ›Receiving an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood can evoke a range of emotions. Common feelings include relief over finally understanding life-long challenges, anger over not getting help sooner, and grief over the lost years and opportunities.
How long does an ADHD evaluation last? ›An ADHD evaluation usually takes around three hours. That includes the initial visit, a follow-up, and filling out paperwork. (That doesn't include any travel time to get to the doctor's office.)
Is ADHD diagnosis permanent? ›Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, lifelong condition that affects people of all ages. Although it can affect your child's behavior and attention, it's treatable with therapy and medication.
How does an ADHD diagnosis affect your life? ›ADHD can make you forgetful and distracted. You're also likely to have trouble with time management because of your problems with focus. All of these symptoms can lead to missed due dates for work, school, and personal projects.
Does SSI pay for ADHD? ›If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, or ADD, he or she can qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits if the severity of the child's ADHD meets the Social Security Administration's childhood impairment listing for neurodevelopmental disorders (listing 112.11).
Can I claim benefits with ADHD? ›
ADHD is recognised as a condition which qualifies for disability benefits and funding.
Does Social Security pay for ADHD? ›ADHD is considered under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and by the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you have ADHD and it impacts your ability to work full time and you are able to prove that, the SSA will consider your ADHD as a disability and you be able to receive Social Security disability benefits.
How do ADHD people learn best? ›Napping, Breaks, and Memory
Taking a break helps all kids learn more, especially those with ADHD. Studies show that students remember more when they take breaks between study sessions instead of studying straight through for an extended period.
- Impulsiveness.
- Disorganization and problems prioritizing.
- Poor time management skills.
- Problems focusing on a task.
- Trouble multitasking.
- Excessive activity or restlessness.
- Poor planning.
- Low frustration tolerance.
Others with ADHD show mostly hyperactive-impulsive symptoms like fidgeting and talking a lot, finding it hard to sit still for long, interrupting others, or speaking at inappropriate times. Many people with ADHD have a combination of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
What often gets misdiagnosed as ADHD? ›Bipolar disorder and ADHD. The most difficult differential diagnosis for doctors to make is between ADHD and bipolar disorder. These two conditions are often hard to distinguish because they share several symptoms, including: mood changes.
How many ADHD diagnosis are false? ›Overall, the study found that about 20 percent – or 900,000 – of the 4.5 million children currently identified as having ADHD likely have been misdiagnosed.
Should I disclose ADHD as a disability? ›You must disclose your documented diagnosis, and show that ADHD “substantially limits a major life activity” — in this case, your job. Formal requests for an accommodation must be made in writing, and the accommodation(s) you ask for shouldn't place an undue hardship on the operation of the employer's business.
Does ADHD get worse after diagnosis? ›Can Your ADHD Get Worse as You Age? ADHD is a developmental disorder that's typically diagnosed during childhood. While the symptoms of ADHD may change with age, this condition often persists into adulthood. Rather than intensifying with age, ADHD tends to improve, especially with ongoing treatment and management.
What medication do you take after ADHD diagnosis? ›Stimulants: Stimulant drugs like methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate are the most widely used type of medication in the treatment of ADHD. They work by influencing the parts of the brain responsible for attention, concentration, and behavior.
How long does it take for ADHD to get better? ›
It releases medication slowly over several hours and can be taken once daily. A significant reduction in ADHD symptoms may be seen in one to six weeks.
What is a full ADHD evaluation? ›A thorough ADHD diagnosis includes symptom tests and interviews, plus a through medical history and evaluations for conditions commonly diagnosed alongside ADD — namely ODD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorder. It's a complicated process — as it should be to ensure accuracy.
What is an ADHD meltdown? ›ADHD meltdowns are sudden outbursts of frustration and anger that seem to come out of nowhere. If your child is struggling to control their emotions, there are ways to help them. For children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), impulsivity can present in many ways.
How does an ADHD evaluation go? ›Most evaluations will include a patient interview, possible interviews with or questionnaires for friends or family members and a written assessment form, such as the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV or the Connors for adults.
Do you have to take ADHD medication forever? ›You might be able to stop taking your ADHD medication if the circumstances of your life change. For example, if managing your job plus managing your children's' schedules was the trigger for you to seek ADHD treatment, you may be able to discontinue your stimulant medication when your children are older.
Can you lose ADHD diagnosis? ›Many children (perhaps as many as half) will outgrow their symptoms but others do not, so ADHD can affect a person into adulthood.
What age does ADHD peak? ›The symptoms may peak in severity when the child is seven to eight years of age, after which they often begin to decline. By the adolescent years, the hyperactive symptoms may be less noticeable, although ADHD can continue to be present.
Can an ADHD diagnosis harm you? ›Research has shown that, if left untreated, ADHD can destroy a person's mental and physical health for decades before they even know they have it.
Does ADHD affect memory? ›Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been associated with large magnitude impairments in working memory, whereas short-term memory deficits, when detected, tend to be less pronounced.
How does ADHD affect social skills? ›Social Skills in Adults with ADHD. Individuals with ADHD often experience social difficulties, social rejection, and interpersonal relationship problems as a result of their inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Such negative interpersonal outcomes cause emotional pain and suffering.
When is ADHD considered a disability? ›
ADHD is only a protected disability when it interferes with a person's ability to work and participate in society but not for mild conditions that don't interfere with functionality. The Centers for Disease Control considers ADHD to be a developmental disability.
Is ADHD something you are born with? ›Genetics. ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition. Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.
Does ADHD qualify for disability tax credit? ›As we mentioned earlier- yes! ADHD does qualify as a disability, provided that the impairment is severe enough. Many cases of ADHD are mild or moderate in nature.
Can you drive if you have ADHD? ›While additional years of experience can help to improve driving habits, adults with ADHD must constantly be aware of how symptoms can affect their driving. Adults with ADHD tend to be at greater risk for having accidents, receiving traffic tickets, and driving without a license or on a suspended license.
Can you drive on ADHD medication? ›We know that stimulant medication for ADHD significantly improves the driver's ability to pay attention to traffic on the road and to better follow traffic laws. Experts in the field of ADHD strongly recommend that drivers who have ADHD take their medication as directed before driving.
Is ADHD a special need? ›Regardless of how well he or she performs in school, a student who has trouble concentrating, reading, thinking, organizing or prioritizing projects, among other important tasks, because of ADHD may have a disability and be protected under Section 504.
What are the positives of ADHD in adults? ›Living with ADHD may give the person a different perspective on life and encourage them to approach tasks and situations with a thoughtful eye. As a result, some with ADHD may be inventive thinkers. Other words to describe them may be original, artistic, and creative. Being hyperfocused.
Can you get disability for ADHD and anxiety? ›If you or a loved one with ADHD meets the triggers as listed by the SSA's impairments under neurological conditions for ADHD or other disorders, you may qualify for SSDI. The SSA updated its listing for anxiety disorders under neurological disorders to include other disorders such as OCD.
How do you hold a job with ADHD? ›- Find peace. Ask to work in a quiet space where you won't be easily distracted.
- Buddy up. Work with a manager or colleague who is well-organized and can help guide you through projects from start to completion.
- Book it. ...
- Write it down. ...
- Schedule interruptions. ...
- Set realistic goals. ...
- Reward yourself. ...
- Delegate.
- How long have you been a coach?
- What is your knowledge of and experience with ADD/ADHD?
- What kind of training do you have?
- What is your background?
- What associations do you belong to?
- What other experience do you bring to coaching?
- Approximately how many people have you coached?
What should I expect from an ADHD assessment? ›
Most evaluations will include a patient interview, possible interviews with or questionnaires for friends or family members and a written assessment form, such as the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV or the Connors for adults.
What should I prepare for an ADHD evaluation? ›Tips to Prepare for Your Child for an ADHD Assessment
Dressing your child in comfortable clothes. Bring a water and snack for the break (your child can bring their water into the testing room) Schedule testing period during time of day when your child is most attentive, if possible.
Ask teachers how familiar they are with ADHD and whether they've taught kids with ADHD before. If their knowledge is limited, or if their examples don't resemble your child, you can explain that ADHD affects kids in different ways. For instance, not all kids with ADHD are hyperactive.
How do you pass interview for ADHD? ›Watch your nonverbal cues.
Adults with ADHD aren't always mindful of their own social skills. Remember to make and keep eye contact, walk and sit with a confident air, lean toward an interviewer to show interest and enthusiasm and speak with a well-modulated voice.
ADHD Test Facts
The World Health Organization* has prepared a self-screening questionnaire you can use to determine if you might have adult ADHD. The Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener will help you recognize the signs and symptoms of adult ADHD.
- What's alive in you today?
- What would make this a powerful conversation today?
- What would be the best use of our time today?
- What goal would you like to set for our session today?
- What's on your mind today?
- What would you most like to talk about?
- How often do you have trouble wrapping up the final details of a project, once the challenging parts have been done? ...
- How often do you have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organization? ...
- How often do you have problems remembering appointments or obligations?
A psychological test for ADHD includes assessment if your intelligence, memory and attention, language, executive functioning, and even your personality. Each of these areas of cognition is incredibly important to help create a more accurate picture of your struggles with inattention and hyperactivity.
How long does an ADHD evaluation take? ›An ADHD evaluation usually takes around three hours. That includes the initial visit, a follow-up, and filling out paperwork. (That doesn't include any travel time to get to the doctor's office.)
What should I ask for in an IEP meeting for ADHD? ›- How can I contact you?
- When is a good time to have an informal conversation about my child's progress?
- What do you see as my child's strengths? ...
- What type of progress can I expect to see? ...
- What can I do at home to support our goals?
How do teachers diagnose ADHD? ›
But teachers can't diagnose ADHD. They can tell you what they've noticed, but after that, you would need to get a professional to evaluate your child to see if they have ADHD or if something else is going on. There is no one test for ADHD.
What do students with ADHD struggle with? ›School can present challenges for many children with ADHD. Because ADHD symptoms include difficulty with attention regulation, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which can affect planning, organizing, and managing behavior, many children with ADHD struggle with change.