Diagnosing Learning Disabilities: Is Your Child Exhibiting ADHD
Characteristics?
By Tess Thompson
Diagnosing a learning disability or a medical condition like
ADHD can be complicated and inexact. In the case of ADHD, many
of the telltale symptoms are also often symptoms of regular
childhood behavior -- restlessness, rowdiness, and a tendency to
be easily distracted. ADHD is treated differently from learning
disabilities because it is thought to be different in nature.
While most learning disabilities can be diagnosed through
specific testing, ADHD requires a more subtle diagnosis through
comprehensive evaluation.
A learning disability is generally caused by a neurological
difference in the brain structure of a child that makes it
difficult for him or her to process information in the same way
as others. Learning disabilities rarely have anything to do with
intelligence level and are generally not treated with
medication, as medication can do nothing to change a brain's
"wiring," or structure. Children with learning disabilities have
to be trained to compensate for them, and after they are
diagnosed, schools can help them by providing extra time on
tests or other taking other special measures.
ADHD is not considered to be a learning disability as it is
thought to be caused by an absence of the neurotransmitter
norepinephrine in parts of the brain, and not necessarily by the
brain's "wiring." Medication can sometimes be used as a
successful child ADHD treatment because certain kinds increase
the production of neurotransmitters (such as Ritalin), but these
medications can also cause disturbing side effects in some
children.
In order for your child to be diagnosed with ADHD, he or she
must have consistently exhibited ADHD characteristics for an
extended period of time and in different environments (school,
home, play..etc). Because many of the symptoms of ADHD are also
common symptoms of depression or anxiety, the doctor or
psychologist evaluating your child will want to make sure that
your child is not simply reacting to specific situations.
According to the Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is often used in
ADHD research studies, common symptoms include:
-Difficulty organizing tasks and activities
-Often losing things necessary for tasks or activities
-Often easily distracted by outside stimuli
-Not listening when spoken to directly
-Difficulty awaiting turn
-Difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
There is no single specific test that will diagnose ADHD and
each child will exhibit symptoms in a slightly different way. As
there are also no genetic indicators of ADHD, diagnosis requires
extensive and thorough evaluation. The U.S. Department of
Education does not require a clinical diagnosis, which means
that for school purposes, if a school allows it, a school
psychologist can diagnose ADHD in your child. If after careful
consultation you determine that your child does have ADHD, be
sure to evaluate multiple behavioral and medical or herbal
options for treatment for ADHD before deciding on the one you
feel is best for your child.