| Most parents who suspect that their child has | | | | social worker is necessary. |
| ADHD have many questions about signs, | | | | You might need to be referred to a psychiatrist if |
| symptoms, and where to turn for help. Getting a | | | | you want to pursue a combination of medication |
| diagnosis and ruling out other medical or | | | | and counseling for treatment. A psychiatrist is a |
| psychological problems is the first step in treating | | | | medical doctor who specializes in psychiatric issues |
| ADHD. There are many places parents can go for | | | | and can diagnose ADHD as well as treat it by |
| help, including medical doctors, psychologists, | | | | prescribing medication and by counseling. |
| psychiatrists, and clinical social workers. All of | | | | Psychologists can also diagnose ADHD and treat it |
| these professionals can diagnose ADHD and help | | | | with counseling. Psychologists cannot prescribe |
| children deal with their condition with either medical | | | | medication, however, but they can refer patients |
| or non-medical treatments. | | | | to medical doctors for prescriptions if they think |
| The first step in determining whether or not your | | | | medication is necessary. Clinical social workers also |
| child has ADHD is taking your child to their | | | | specialize in counseling and can diagnose ADHD as |
| pediatrician or family doctor. Physicians can | | | | well as provide non medical treatment. |
| diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication if it is | | | | The treatment that is right for ADHD varies from |
| necessary for your child's certain symptoms and | | | | child to child but studies show that counseling |
| circumstances. Physicians cannot, however, | | | | combined with medication has the highest rate of |
| provide counseling, training, or other behavioral | | | | effectiveness. It is important to get a combination |
| modification programs that are also useful for | | | | of treatment methods and the methods you |
| dealing with ADHD. For this type of treatment a | | | | choose should be the ones you feel the most |
| referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or clinical | | | | comfortable with and will most benefit your child. |