Deciding if a child has ADHD is a several step process. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, and many other problems, like anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) is used by mental health professionals to help diagnose ADHD. The criteria are presented here in modified form in order to make them more accessible to the general public. They are listed here for information purposes and should be used only by trained health care providers to diagnose or treat ADHD.
If a parent or other adult is concerned about a child’s behavior, it is important to discuss these concerns with the child’s health care provider.
Simply fill out the child's name, age and today's date and then check off the signs or symptoms the child has shown. Then click "Create Checklist."