How to Get a Checklist for ADHD

Since there is no objective criteria for the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), there is no universally accepted checklist covering its diagnosis and treatment. You can find a variety of checklists from credible sources, and by noting the common information that is included in most of those checklists, you'll be able to determine what is most valid.

Instructions

• 1

  Read the checklist for ADHD diagnosis in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders. This is the book used by psychologists and psychiatrists to diagnosis mental disorders. The checklist may change as new editions are released, so make sure you consult the most recent version.

• 2

  Read the most current information from the National Institute of Mental Health, a government agency that funds research into ADHD. Although the exact causes of ADHD are still not known, new information is constantly being discovered. By consulting the agency that funds much of this research, you can see the most up-to-date checklists.

• 3

  If your child is in school, talk to the school counselor or psychologist to see if the school uses a checklists. If so, review them and ask where the information comes from to make sure that it is a legitimate source.

• 4

  Review information from Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). CHADD is the largest support organization for people with ADHD, and it provides a variety of checklists and other information.

• 5

  Talk to your doctor or psychiatrist. Physicians typically have checklists of criteria they use to diagnose ADHD. Your doctor can share this information with you and explain why he feels it is credible.