Diagnosing ADHD: Getting It Right From The Start
April 10, 2010 
3 Comments
Earlier this week, I started a little controversy among our readers about Diagnosing ADHD and how important it really is to have the diagnosis. The responses that came in were quite incredible, and nothing short of what I expected for a condition that is still greatly misunderstood by many (not our readers of course).
I am still reading (and re-reading) the comments to really absorb the different perspectives of ADHD, and getting diagnosed.
One thing to me is clear: Getting the right diagnosis is critical, but it is only a first step! For the record, I always advocate to my clients and anyone I speak to that seeing a professional – an expert who understands ADHD, children, and development – is of the utmost importance when you don’t know what’s going on.
Let me say that again (it was a mouthful): Getting the right diagnosis, from the right* person is the most important first step.
But it’s ONLY a first step because there is so much else going on. The diagnosis can change, and it can be complicated. In my years of working with children and families, I just don’t know how an accurate diagnosis is made in one 15-minute appointment when there is clearly so much to consider.
Here’s just a taste of what makes the diagnosis so difficult to make:
- Bad Information: There is a LOT of bad information that leads to great misunderstanding about what ADHD is and what it is not.
- Signs & Symptoms: As Dr. Kane mentioned in our previous post, there are over 50 other conditions that can mimic ADHD. (Not to mention the things that can complicate what might or might not be ADHD).
- One Size Does NOT Fit All: ADHD is going to be different for almost everyone with the condition. There is NO one right answer…it’s about personal choice (as pointed out by colleague and friend Tara McGillicuddy).
- Life Happens: One cannot overlook the dramatic impact and influence that life has upon symptoms of ADHD. We cannot just attribute everything to the condition…we MUST look at what is going on in a person’s life.
- Explanation NOT Excuse: ADHD (or the right diagnosis) can help explain why a person acts, behaves, or just is a certain way. But it does NOT define them, and it should NEVER be used as an excuse.
Yes…there are plenty more complications to getting the diagnosis right. And that’s why I call it a good and important (critical) first step!
So what’s this all about then?
As I mentioned, it is more important to me (in my humble opinion) that once we have a working diagnosis or understanding of who the person is, we focus on their unique challenges and NOT the diagnosis.
Sometimes we get it right. Sometimes we get it wrong. But behavior and our action / success is a good indication of what is going on. I’ve said before that bad behavior is often a cry for help. Having a bad attitude is often a way of getting attention when we can’t find the words to say what we really want.
No matter how you cut it…it’s just not as a straightforward as we’d like it to be. And that’s the POINT! As a parent of a child with ADHD, you’ve got some great responsibilities. Yes….it might be more than the “average” kid, but as one “different” child (now adult) to others…. I don’t want to be average. I like standing out…and yes…I love causing a little controversy.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Get educated on ADHD / related conditions
- Advocate for your child
- Focus on their differences (not…”my child has ADHD”)
- Question everything (even me).
- Work with your child’s differences (not against them)
- Make it fun.
As hard as all of this sounds…all parents face this every single day. The good news is that ADHD is NOT a life threatening condition. It’s NOT the end of the world. It is however…or could be…another challenge you must face. But hopefully, with this information and the right supports in your life, you will know when to stand up and shout, and when to laugh it off.
At least I hope you can…
Dr. Rory, Thank you for this whole discussion. You and I corresponded about two months ago about this–diagnosis or not, and I am so pleased to see this discussion. I am so happy to see you say that you do think the diagnosis is an important first step because as you know I’ve been concerned that that view did not come across in your biography that you have at the end of your newsletter. In reading the comments to your initial post, I don’t see any real controversy about that.
What I do really like about your view, work, and writings, is that you then turn to treating each person as an individual and not just as a diagnosis. I couldn’t agree with you more, and I have really benefitted from your Sunday newsletter topics!
Hi Rory,
Thanks for addressing the big white elephant in the room. As a learning specialist in private practice I also address the question about diagnosis. I have parents coming in all the time to have their children evaluated for learning problems with all kinds of “diagnosis” and yet no solutions! What difference does the label make if their aren’t answers and solutions? Dyslexia is another one of those “labels”. Often inaccurate and not addressing the skills at the root of the reading problem which schools and many private professionals don’t even evaluate! Working on the symptoms that are most problematic is what needs to be done. Our society and educational institutions need to get beyond this “status quo” approach that demeans and hyper focuses on the limitations and tries to whittle away the specialness of “square pegs” to fit in round holes! I can’t say it enough all that matters is the bottom line, what will be done to help your child function at their best and reach their God given potential! While there are no quick fixes or magic bullets, current research shows that there is a tremendous amount that can be done but it takes “thinking outside the box”.I know you Dr. Rory are committed to parents finding these answers… and so am I! Thank you so much for confronting the “status quo” on behalf of the children and the parents who are very often being misled! Remeber,there is never a “crowd” on the leading edge!
MaryPat Correro, Ed.M
Director
Center For Learning Enhancement.LLC
I agree with what you say here. As a nurse I look at any diagnosis as a place to start. Even though two people may have the same condition they may react to treatments differently so each needs to be tailored to the individual. That is the same with ADHD. Once a diagnosis is made and the person’s needs are assessed the appropriate treatment can be outlined. Educating all involved persons is a vital part that can be difficult with the ADHD diagnosis. I found the help I needed by feeling desperate and searching the web. It would be nice if there was some sort of database of ADHD experts throughout the United States so that no matter where you lived, you could find someone near you. This would make it a little easier to get the diagnosis right from the start. Another part that would be helpful is if there was more education given to teachers or counselors at the schools. I feel we could have gotten a diagnosis sooner if teachers were able to make the connection. Even though my daughter was not a problem in the classroom, she showed organization problems as early as 3rd grade. It took me till middle school to figure out why she was struggling. I suspected ADHD, so when I needed to get continuing education credits to renew my nursing lisence, I did a home study on ADHD. Upon completion, I realized my daughter displayed the classic symptoms of Inattentive ADHD. That is when I sought help from the pediatrician and a psychiatrist to confirm what I suspected. That lead to medication and lots more reading on my part. We still don’t have everything completely figured out but are on our way. We also have other issues we are working with but are slowly sorting it all out. Now that we know more, we have begun the process of focusing on what specific differences she has and working with the school to help her meet her potential.