In addition to the challenges, there are also some positive traits associated with people who have ADD or ADHD:

• Creativity – Children who have ADD / ADHD can be marvelously creative and imaginative. The child who daydreams and has ten different thoughts at once can become a master problem-solver, a fountain of ideas, or an inventive artist. Children with ADD may be easily distracted, but sometimes they notice what others don’t see.
• Flexibility – Because children with ADD / ADHD consider a lot of options at once, they don’t become set on one alternative early on and are more open to different ideas.
• Enthusiasm and spontaneity – Children with ADD / ADHD are rarely boring! They’re interested in a lot of different things and have lively personalities. In short, if they’re not exasperating you (and sometimes even when they are), they’re a lot of fun to be with.
• Energy and drive – When kids with ADD / ADHD are motivated, they work or play hard and strive to succeed. It actually may be difficult to distract them from a task that interests them, especially if the activity is interactive or hands-on.

Keep in mind, too, that ADD/ADHD has nothing to do with intelligence or talent. Many children with ADD/ADHD are intellectually or artistically gifted.

Diagnosing ADD / ADHD in children

At present, no laboratory or imaging test exists to determine if your child has ADD / ADHD. Clinicians base their diagnosis on the signs and symptoms they observe and by ruling out other disorders. In order to get an accurate diagnosis, it is important to have a full medical and psychological evaluation. The doctor should interview you, your child, and any adults who can provide insight, such as teachers or nannies.

When choosing a specialist to diagnose your child, it’s a good idea to get recommendations from other doctors, therapists, and parents. You can also call your insurance company for referrals and information about what is covered by your insurance plan. Mental health professionals who can diagnose ADD / ADHD include psychologists, pediatricians, and psychiatrists.

Criteria for an ADD / ADHD diagnosis

The professional criteria for a diagnosis of ADD / ADHD requires the following:

• Early onset – Symptoms must have been present before age 7.
• Duration – A combination of symptoms must have been present for at least 6 months.
• Settings – The symptoms must be present in two or more settings, such as home, school, and other social settings.
• Impact – The symptoms must have a negative impact on the individual’s school, family, and/or social life.
• Developmental level - The symptoms are not due to the child’s normal developmental level.
• Alternative explanation - The symptoms are not caused by another physical, mental or emotional disorder.

For more information see Diagnosing ADD & ADHD: Making the Diagnosis in Children and Adults.http://www.almotamar.net/news/64343.htm