What are the criteria for diagnosis of ADHD? If a therapists suspects a student has ADHD and is not currently diagnosed what would you recommend?
Answer
A child is diagnosed using four main criteria listed in the DSM-IV. These criteria are poor motor coordination given the child's age, having some type of interference with academic achievement or interference with daily living activities, the motor coordination cannot be due to another general medical conditions such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, and if the child is diagnosed with mental retardation, the motor difficulties have to be in excess of those usually associated with mental retardation. This is done by a clinician, usually by a psychiatrist or phsychologist. The therapist should make sure that the delay of motor coordination is in excess of what is suspected for that child's specific development level. If this is the case, the therapist should refer the child's parents to see a psychologist or physician as the next step in ensuring the child receives the appropriate treatment.
Alicia Fedewa, PhD, NCSP
Alicia Fedewa received her PhD from Michigan State University and completed her post-doctoral training in School Psychology at Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District outside of Houston, Texas. Her research interests include the relationship between curricular physical activity and children's academic, behavioral, and mental health outcomes.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/qikids-qigong-for-pediatrics-4866QiKIDS™ - Qigong for PediatricsIn “QiKids: Qigong for Pediatrics”, participants will learn gentle, effective mind & body-based movements, breaths and acupressure points proven to decrease stress, calm anxiety, improve mental focus, boost immune system function, and build resiliency. Qigong is the perfect therapeutic movement exercise for both clinicians and clients wanting to create a regular mindfulness practice that supports mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being.auditory, textual, visual
In “QiKids: Qigong for Pediatrics”, participants will learn gentle, effective mind & body-based movements, breaths and acupressure points proven to decrease stress, calm anxiety, improve mental focus, boost immune system function, and build resiliency. Qigong is the perfect therapeutic movement exercise for both clinicians and clients wanting to create a regular mindfulness practice that supports mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/impact-motor-learning-for-child-3870Impact of Motor Learning For The Child With Autism Spectrum DisorderMaster skills to implement in your practice immediately with continued Master Class. Children with ASD face challenges as they form the motor programs that serve as the basis for daily life and play. This interdisciplinary course series will expand upon the theory of praxis and the child’s ability to adaptively respond to their environment in a way that is meaningful and efficient. Through practical and clinical demonstrations, the learner will develop a deeper understanding of the importance of motor learning for the child with ASD. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Master skills to implement in your practice immediately with continued Master Class. Children with ASD face challenges as they form the motor programs that serve as the basis for daily life and play. This interdisciplinary course series will expand upon the theory of praxis and the child’s ability to adaptively respond to their environment in a way that is meaningful and efficient. Through practical and clinical demonstrations, the learner will develop a deeper understanding of the importance of motor learning for the child with ASD. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/supporting-respiratory-equipment-on-wheelchair-4894Supporting Respiratory Equipment on Wheelchair BasesMany people who require respiratory equipment, such as oxygen and ventilators, use a wheeled mobility base. This course will address how to support respiratory equipment on an adaptive stroller, manual wheelchair, or power wheelchair safely and as a part of a team.auditory, textual, visual
Many people who require respiratory equipment, such as oxygen and ventilators, use a wheeled mobility base. This course will address how to support respiratory equipment on an adaptive stroller, manual wheelchair, or power wheelchair safely and as a part of a team.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/power-to-go-meeting-needs-3615Power to Go: Meeting the Needs of Pediatric Power Mobility LearnersRecent research identifies three different groups of pediatric power mobility learners. Clinically-based intervention strategies, including tools to monitor intervention outcomes, to meet the specific learning needs of children in each power mobility group will be presented and discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Recent research identifies three different groups of pediatric power mobility learners. Clinically-based intervention strategies, including tools to monitor intervention outcomes, to meet the specific learning needs of children in each power mobility group will be presented and discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/tools-you-can-use-enhancing-3616Tools You Can Use: Enhancing Outcomes Assessment in Children with Cerebral PalsyThis session will focus on outcome measures reflecting the various domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) that can be used with children who have cerebral palsy. Guidelines related to the use and application of these various tools will be presented and discussed whilst case scenarios and vignettes will be used to illustrate the application of these evidence-based tools to pediatric practice. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
This session will focus on outcome measures reflecting the various domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) that can be used with children who have cerebral palsy. Guidelines related to the use and application of these various tools will be presented and discussed whilst case scenarios and vignettes will be used to illustrate the application of these evidence-based tools to pediatric practice. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
