How to Screen for ADD

If your child has trouble paying attention or behaving at school or home, it's possible that he has ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder. These days, ADD and ADHD, which stands for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, are used interchangeably. While there is no specific test for ADD, having your child examined by a physician can help to determine if he shows the symptoms and meets the criteria for ADD as spelled out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV). For an accurate diagnosis, your child must display six or more signs from both the "Inattention" and "Hyperactivity" categories of symptoms.

Instructions

• 1

  Monitor your child's behavior if you suspect that he has ADD. Your child must be showing the symptoms for at least six months and the behavior in question needs to be considered not normal for his age. For example, if many of your child's friends are able to behave or pay attention in a particular setting, but he is not, then he may have ADD.

• 2

  Notice if the symptoms in question were present before the age of seven. The signs may have been present at a young age yet were more acceptable by thinking that your child was young and would grow out of it. If the same symptoms continue, then it may be a sign to have him tested.

• 3

  Notice if your child's behavior is prevalent in more than one setting, such as at both home and school. If he acts up only in one place, such as school, then the problem may be a school-related issue. But if his behavior is consistent in numerous settings, then the diagnosis may be ADD.

• 4

  Look for symptoms of inattention in your child, such as whether he disregards details, doesn't finish tasks, has difficulty organizing tasks and activities and avoids things that require focus.

• 5

  Notice if your child has signs of hyperactivity, such as often fidgeting and squirming, not sitting in her seat for long periods of time, constantly running around, has trouble with quiet activities, talks excessively and has trouble waiting her turn.

• 6

  Take your child to a physician for a thorough screening if you believe that he may have ADD. A physician can determine if the problem is ADD or something else, such as a learning disorder, depression or anxiety.