I think my child has ADHD. What should I do? | Expert Opinion

If your child struggled in school this year, you may be wondering whether they have ADHD, a learning disability, or another problem interfering with their learning.

As the school year winds down, it may be tempting to shelve your concerns until fall and simply enjoy summer. But it’s important to get ahead of any problems now so your child can start their next class with all the tools they need to succeed.

Too often, parents let the stigma of learning and behavioral challenges delay their intervention. Others mistakenly believe their child will outgrow their troubles. In my experience as both a parent and pediatrician, students thrive best when the adults in their lives communicate early, often, and honestly.

So, how do you figure out what’s wrong? As a parent of a child with a learning disability, I have learned that communication is key. That’s why much of my advice as a pediatrician is focused on talking with your child, their teacher and doctor, and school administrators.

» READ MORE: How can I help my child with ADHD have a successful school year?

Ask what they like about school and when it feels hard. Is anyone being mean? Is it hard to see or hear the teacher? Depending on your child’s age, you may or may not get helpful insight about what is going on. Either way, this shows your child that they can talk to you about school concerns.

The end of the school year is a good time to gather more data because their current teacher knows them well at this point. Did your child struggle academically? Did staff notice behavioral challenges? Was there bullying in the classroom? Did your child seem tired, hungry, or otherwise distracted? The teacher is your window into your child’s day and may be able to offer some problem-solving solutions.

» READ MORE: Activists with ADHD push for a world more friendly to those with the disorder

Your child’s doctor can investigate whether there is a medical cause for concern. They can refer you to specialists and provide tools to help evaluate your child’s needs, such as the Vanderbilt Assessment Scale, which screens for symptoms of ADHD.

» READ MORE: ADHD in adults is challenging but highly treatable. A clinical psychologist explains

After gathering information from these sources, you still may not have an answer, but you will have a better picture of what type of learner your child is.

Your next step may be requesting a multidisciplinary team evaluation through your school district. This evaluation will provide a more comprehensive review of your child’s learning and determine whether they need any school-based services, such as reading support, emotional support, occupational therapy, or classroom accommodations.

Together, you, the school, and your pediatrician can develop a plan to make the next school year more successful.

Katie Lockwood is a pediatrician with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and associate professor of pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.