Of course a lot has yet to be learned when it comes to the ADHD brain and the causes of ADHD in so many children. There appears to be a genetic component as very often a child that is diagnosed with this common disorder will have at least one or both parents with the disorder as well. It is not uncommon for a parent to discover that they have ADHD when their child is diagnosed with it. Unfortunately diagnosing ADHD in adults is not as easy as it is diagnosing it in children although even then the diagnostic process is a drawn-out and lengthy one. Before a diagnosis can be made the symptoms of the disorder need to have been noticeable from early on in the child's life. More often than not the child will be diagnosed once they reach school-going age. Usually either the parent or teacher will suspect that the child has ADHD. The symptoms become easier to identify when the child is confronted with the added responsibilities and structure of school life.

The child also needs to exhibit the symptoms and behaviors common with ADHD in more than one environment which means that their symptoms must manifest both at school and at home. If the symptoms have not been present for an extended period (longer than six months) chances are good that there could be another explanation for the symptoms other than ADHD. The child will need to have a medical examination as there are medical issues that can account for ADHD-like symptoms. If no other cause is identified the child will be observed in various settings and reports from various professionals will be considered before the diagnosis is made. The diagnostic criteria are laid out by the American Psychiatric Association in their DSM-IV manual. Most children assessed with these criteria end up being diagnosed with the disorder. Thereafter medications are invariably prescribed unless the parents wish to pursue other alternative treatments.

http://theunbreakablebrainbookreview.com