How to Diagnose ADHD in Toddlers

Many toddlers have problems sitting still, concentrating and controlling impulses. These could be normal behaviors, or they could be signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. To receive a reliable diagnosis of ADHD for your toddler, you must consult a health care professional who specializes in psychological and behavioral disorders in children. A specialist can determine if your toddler's behaviors are normal for her age or signs of ADHD. Unfortunately, there are no clinical tests that can accurately diagnose ADHD. Your toddler's doctor will observe your toddler, interview family members, and rule out other psychological disorders in order to determine if she suffers from ADHD.

Instructions

• 1

  Get a referral from your family doctor or your toddler's pediatrician for a specialist who works with children who suffer from ADHD and other attention deficit disorders. Your insurance company can also provide referrals. The health care professional who diagnoses your toddler with ADHD may be a pediatrician, psychiatrist or psychologist.

• 2

  Contact the health care professional you were referred to and schedule an appointment for your child. The health care professional will determine if your child meets the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD. Your toddler must have had a combination of ADHD symptoms for at least six months, according to Help Guide. These symptoms include difficulty following directions and paying attention, not listening or easily distracted, inattention to detail, disorganization, losing things frequently, forgetfulness, and an inability to plan ahead. For a diagnosis of ADHD, your toddler needs to exhibit six or more of these symptoms, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Other criteria for diagnosis include the symptoms being present in at least two environments, such as at home and in preschool, and the symptoms having a negative impact on your toddler, such as not being able to play with other children. For an ADHD diagnosis, these symptoms also cannot be explained by your toddler's normal developmental level for her age, according to Help Guide.

• 3

  Understand that your child may be suffering from another disorder with the same symptoms as ADHD. Once your toddler fits the criteria for ADHD, the health care professional will rule out other disorders that could explain the symptoms using a multitude of psychological tests. Examples of disorders that exhibit similar symptoms of ADHD include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, and a reaction to a psychological trauma or crisis.

• 4

  Be prepared to be interviewed by the doctor. To confirm a diagnosis of ADHD, the health care professional will conduct extensive interviews with your toddler, you, your spouse, and other adults who've spent significant time with your toddler, such as a nanny, grandparent, or teacher. These interviews will confirm that your child has exhibited at least six symptoms of ADHD for at least six months in multiple environments. Once this is determined and other disorders are ruled out, the health care professional can diagnose your toddler with ADHD and treatment can begin.