my sister took my niece to the therapist to see if she had it. the therapist spent time with my niece and she had most of the symptoms. the therapist was going to put her on medication but my sister stop going.

It's best to go to a psychiatrist who specializes in ADD/ADHD.. My son is the classic case of ADD. When he was young he had the ADHD. The difference is that ADD is an attention deficite disorder, meaning you have trouble concentrating, usually in school. ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This is usually found in younger children who have trouble concentrating and sitting still long enough to even finish a task. There are a lot of different medications for ADD or ADHD. My son takes Concerrta which has helped him tremendously. He had such a problem concentrating that school would have been torture for him if he didn't get the medication. He never seemed doped up or tired when taking the medication. He's 18 now so he only takes it when he goes to school. Anyway, I hope this helps. You can go to a psychologist or a psychiatrist...it's your choice. If you want meds to concentrate you might want to see the psychiatrist. I recommend that before deciding to medicate a child for ADHD, make sure that child is really having problems concentrating and not just hyperactive. Many young children are very hyperactive and teachers want these children diagnosed. If they are able to concentrate, finish a task, finish homework, sit in their seat at school long enough to learn something, they are probably not ADHD. This label is thrown around quite a bit so make sure it is the right diagnosis.

Generally speaking, an individual gets diagnosed with ADHD if he or she meets the diagnostic criteria as stated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder. However, diagnosing ADHD is a little more complicated than just checking a laundry list of symptoms. This is because a number of health conditions share the three core symptoms of ADHD: hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. To simply diagnose an individual with ADHD is not enough either; it’s more important to find the cause of the disorder than to find the right label for it.
For a more effective and holistic approach, the first step to evaluating ADHD should involve getting to know the individual child through his or her medical history, and an interview with the parents. During the interview, we can learn a lot about the person’s unique symptoms and lifestyle habits. For children, we usually ask key indicator questions about the mother’s pregnancy and early childhood experiences. Often, the causes of childhood ADHD have to do with traumatic childbirth, a lack of nutrients, or exposure to certain toxins in the womb.

After the interview, the person goes through a rigorous testing program to identify the causes of ADHD and rule out other conditions. The next step is to make a precise definition of the individual’s behavior using behavioral scales and checklists. These are useful in identifying which symptoms need to be treated. We may also use a computer test called Test of Variables of Attention, which can provide an objective measure of the person’s impulsivity and inattention. Afterwards, we obtain a neuropsychological profile in order to identify co-morbid conditions like dyslexia or learning disorders. A comprehensive physical and neurological exam can also provide us with a complete picture of the nervous system, which is helpful for detecting other conditions.

The last two tests are best performed by medical doctors trained in nutrition, functional medicine, or a chiropractor specializing in functional neurology. A basic blood test can rule out other abnormalities like thyroid dysfunctions, as well as identify nutritional deficiencies that may be triggering ADHD. Another step called advanced functional testing can see if a problem in bodily functions, chemical exposure, or food allergies is related to the person’s ADHD symptoms.
All these tests might sound tedious, but they are all needed to find out the root cause and exact conditions afflicting the individual. ADHD is a very complex disorder and there is no single test that can diagnose it. The first step to overcoming ADHD is to find out its underlying causes. From there, you can work with your doctor on the appropriate treatments for your symptoms.