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How is ADHD Diagnosed?
The Evaluation Process
Consult with your child's healthcare professional to receive a proper ADHD diagnosis
ADHD symptoms must be present for at least 6 months
When properly diagnosed and treated, ADHD symptoms can be improved
Take the ADHD symptom screener to see if your child shows signs of ADHD
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How is ADHD Diagnosed?
The Evaluation Process
Consult with your child's healthcare professional to receive a proper ADHD diagnosis
ADHD symptoms must be present for at least 6 months
When properly diagnosed and treated, ADHD symptoms can be improved
Take the ADHD Symptom Screener to see if your child shows signs of ADHD
Do you suspect that your child's problems could add up to more than just typical childhood behavior? If yes, it may be time to schedule an evaluation with a healthcare professional. Because most children show signs of these behaviors at one time or another, a complete medical evaluation is necessary to make a proper ADHD diagnosis.
In children and teenagers, the symptoms of ADHD must be more frequent or severe than in other children their age. ADHD symptoms must be present for at least 6 months. And the symptoms must create significant difficulty in at least 2 areas of life, such as home, school, or social settings.
Studies show that between 30% and 70% of children with ADHD continue to have symptoms as adults. When properly diagnosed and treated, ADHD can be significantly improved.
There's no single test used to diagnose ADHD. Healthcare professionals typically use checklists for rating ADHD symptoms and ruling out other possible medical conditions with symptoms similar to those of ADHD.
Your child's healthcare professional may obtain information about your child's behavior from people your child interacts with regularly, like teachers, coaches, and caregivers. And, because ADHD is thought to be an inherited condition, your child's family history can offer important clues, too.
Take the ADHD symptom screener to see if your child shows signs and symptoms of ADHD. Then make an appointment with your child's healthcare professional and prepare for the visit by creating a customized Doctor Discussion Guide.
If it turns out that your child does have ADHD, ask about managing the daily challenges of ADHD with CONCERTA®. CONCERTA® is a once-a-day prescription medication that can help your child focus at school and at home.
CONCERTA® is a prescription product approved for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as part of a total treatment program that may include counseling or other therapies.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Talk to your healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Only a healthcare professional can decide whether medication is right for you or your child.
CONCERTA® should not be taken by patients who have: allergies to methylphenidate or other ingredients in CONCERTA®; significant anxiety, tension, or agitation; glaucoma; tics, Tourette's syndrome, or family history of Tourette's syndrome; current or past use of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI); esophagus, stomach, or intestinal narrowing. Children under 6 years of age should not take CONCERTA®.
Abuse of methylphenidate may lead to dependence. Tell your healthcare professional if you or your child has had problems with alcohol or drugs; has had any heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems; has had depression, abnormal thoughts or visions, bipolar disorder, or seizure. Contact your healthcare professional immediately if you or your child: develops abnormal thinking or hallucinations, abnormal or extreme moods and/or excessive activity; or if aggressive behavior or hostility develops or worsens while taking CONCERTA®. Your child's healthcare professional should check height and weight often and may interrupt CONCERTA® treatment if your child is not growing or gaining weight as expected.
Stimulants may impair the ability of the patient to operate potentially hazardous machinery or vehicles. Caution should be used accordingly until you are reasonably certain that CONCERTA® does not adversely affect your ability to engage in such activities.
The most common adverse reaction (>5%) reported in children and adolescents was upper abdominal pain. The most common adverse reactions (>10%) reported in adults were dry mouth, nausea, decreased appetite, headache, and insomnia.
CONCERTA® and OROS® are registered trademarks of ALZA Corporation
© Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2009. All rights reserved.
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Questions or comments? Call 1-888-440-7903
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Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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What is ADHD