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Who's Who for Information About ADHD
Certain professionals know a lot about ADHD but do not make diagnoses or prescribe medications. They can show you how to navigate the educational, medical and insurance systems so you can help your child receive the help he or she needs. When you are ready, they may be able to refer you to professionals who can make an official diagnosis.
School Counselor: You can contact your child’s school to ask for a counselor.
Social Worker: You can call the local county government building (in the telephone directory) for a social worker who is familiar with ADHD.
Case Manager: The human resource department of your company may have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAPs often provide a case manager to help families through the health care system. Your health plan may have a case manager for you.
Some professionals are trained to make an official diagnosis of ADHD, but cannot write prescriptions. These professionals have nonmedication strategies for managing ADHD. Their tools may include:
- Behavior modification activities
- Organizational methods
- Special parenting techniques
- Goal-setting sessions
You can find these professionals in the telephone book under Therapists or Psychologists. You can also find those who specialize in ADHD in the Web directories of
CHADD or ADDA.
Psychologist and/or Therapist: A psychologist has a PhD in the study of behavior or in counseling. Investing in time with a psychologist allows you to cover details of your family history and the special needs of your situation. You can work with a psychologist to try a variety of nonmedication strategies to help better understand and manage your child’s ADHD.
If you don’t already know a doctor, the school may have a list of local doctors in your area who have experience with ADHD. A nearby hospital may have a list of doctors with experience in ADHD also. You can also use the doctor finder on this Web site to locate a doctor in your area. In most states, only medical doctors can prescribe medication for ADHD.
Family Doctor or Pediatrician: Your regular doctor probably already has your child’s medical history, which can help in ruling out other possible medical sources for your child’s symptoms. Your family doctor, however, may not have a lot of experience in treating ADHD, so it is important to ask.
Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist has earned a medical degree and then studied the specialty of diagnosing and treating psychiatric disorders. Some psychiatrists only prescribe medication and rely on other professionals to work with clients on the nonmedication supports.
Child Psychiatrist: These doctors earned medical degrees and then studied how to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders and have chosen to focus their practice on children.
Neurologist: A neurologist is a medical specialist with advanced training in how the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles work. Some neurologists make diagnoses and prescribe medicines.
Find out more about choosing a health care professional.
Read more about visiting the doctor.
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