Diagnosing ADHD

For Everyone

Key points

  • Diagnosing ADHD is a process with several steps.
  • If you think your child might have ADHD, the first step is to talk with a healthcare provider.
A mother and daughter visiting the doctor's office

How is ADHD diagnosed?

Deciding if a child has ADHD is a process with several steps. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, and many other problems, such as sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can also have symptoms similar to ADHD.

Talk with a doctor

If you are concerned about whether your child might have ADHD, the first step is to talk with a healthcare provider to find out if the symptoms fit an ADHD diagnosis. The diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional, like a psychologist or psychiatrist, or by a primary care provider, like a pediatrician.
Concerned about your child's development?

Diagnosing ADHD in children

Diagnosing ADHD involves several steps. One step of the process involves having a medical exam, including hearing and vision tests, to rule out other problems with symptoms like ADHD. Your child's healthcare provider might recommend screening tests or other next steps based on your child's family health history.

An ADHD diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional, like a psychologist or psychiatrist, or a primary care provider, like a pediatrician. You can also contact a local early intervention program for a free or low-cost evaluation (children under age 3) or school system for a free evaluation (children 3 years or older). A doctor's referral is not needed for connecting with an early intervention program.

For children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that healthcare providers ask parents, teachers, and other adults who care for the child about the child's behavior in different settings, including at home, school, or with peers. The healthcare provider will look to determine whether the child has another condition or conditions that might explain the symptoms better, or that can often occur at the same time as ADHD.

Clinical care for children and adolescents with ADHD

Doctor meeting with parents and their child.
Find out more about AAP's recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD. Read more.

Act Early!

Acting early when there's a concern can have a significant impact on a child's ability to learn new skills and overcome challenges and can increase success in school and life.

CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." program free, family-friendly, high-quality, and research-based resources to engage families and providers in monitoring children’s developmental milestones from ages 2 months through 5 years. These resources can help families learn the signs of child development and encourage them to act early and get help for their child when they have questions or concerns.

Image of a baby being held by a caregiver with the text "Help your child grow and thrive with CDCs free Milestone Tracker app." Visit cdc.gov/MilestoneTracker
Talk to your child's doctor first if you have concerns about their development.

Resources

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Content Source:
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities