Teacher's Role in Making First Diagnosis of ADHD/ADD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) affect millions of school age children. For many children, the diagnosis of ADHD comes only after there has been a significant decline in the performance at school, both academically and socially.

Because parents have lived, and coped, day in and day out with ADHD in their child, they often do not even realize the complication exists. Passing the mental health complication as a "normal" part of child growth and development, parents are often surprised to learn of a confirmed ADHD or ADD diagnosis in their child.

Since parents are often not the first to diagnose a child with ADHD, who is? Because a child's performance in school, both academically and socially, relies heavily upon the ability to concentrate and focus, often, teachers are the first to make the ADHD or ADD diagnosis recommendation to the parent.

However, in some educational settings we find educators or teachers are often uncomfortable with making the suggestion of ADHD or ADD to a parent. As a result, if your child suffers from the mental health complication, it is most likely you will receive the information from either the school nurse or a school guidance counselor.

If your child's school guidance counselor, teacher or school nurse has suggested ADHD or ADD as a potential complicating factor, it is important to remain open-minded to the concept and complications associated with the complication when left untreated. With over 75 percent of the cases of ADHD and ADD involving young boys, your child's teacher may be the most familiar with the symptoms of the mental health complication and can easily compare the behaviors of the child with peers.

As a parent, if you can remain open minded to the concept of ADHD and ADD, your next step is to seek the appropriate diagnosis and treatment from a healthcare provider. Often, with teachers or educators on board, and a parent who is receptive to the idea, the physician may begin the child on ADHD or ADD medications in an effort to "watch and see" how the symptoms, behavior and social interaction improve, both and school and at home.

For children who suffer from ADHD and ADD, the delay in identification and diagnosis can only lead to further complications, academically and socially. With educators or teachers who are willing to speak up about the risks and symptoms of ADHD and ADD, and parents who are open to the concept, your child's physician may be able to provide a daily therapy to improve the symptoms of ADHD or ADD and, ultimately, improve your child's academic and social experiences.