Ruling Out ADHD

AD/HD is a serious diagnosis that may require long-term treatment with counseling and medication. Children may exhibit AD/HD-like behaviors that are not truly caused by AD/HD. For example, underachievement in school may actually be caused by a learning disability, a middle ear infection that causes intermittent hearing problems, petit mal seizures, or depression, all of which can lead to a misdiagnosis of the disorder.

It is important for your child’s physician to rule out or treat any other possible causes of these behaviors, including:

* Allergies, asthma and respiratory problems
* Diabetes/hypoglycemia
* Hearing and visual problems
* Iron deficiency anemia
* Lead intoxication
* Medications
* Neurological problems
* Other psychiatric problems
* School or learning problems
* Thyroid problem