| A lot of parents have questions about who to | | | | mentioned, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor |
| consult when they suspect their child might have | | | | specializing in psychiatric issues. A psychiatrist can |
| ADHD. Who can diagnose? Who can treat? What's | | | | diagnose ADHD, prescribe ADHD medications if |
| the difference between a psychiatrist and a | | | | needed, and might provide ADHD counseling or |
| psychologist? | | | | training. |
| Let's start with the last one first. A psychologist is a | | | | A psychologist can also diagnose ADHD, and often |
| non-medical therapist or counselor. This person may | | | | does. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication, but |
| have a Ph.D. and be called "Dr." but is not a physician. | | | | do provide counseling or training for ADHD clients. |
| A psychiatrist, on the other hand, is a physician and | | | | Clinical social workers, like psychologists, can diagnose |
| can prescribe medications. | | | | ADHD and provide counseling, but cannot prescribe |
| Let's talk about who can diagnose and what they can | | | | medication. |
| do. | | | | Neurologists may be the least common doctors seen |
| Basically, five groups of people can diagnose ADHD. | | | | for ADHD. They can diagnose and prescribe, but do |
| To begin with, you might take your child to the | | | | not provide counseling or training. |
| pediatrician or family doctor. As a physician, he or she | | | | In the end, it comes down to who you're most |
| can diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication if | | | | comfortable with. Certainly it makes sense to begin |
| needed, but would not provide counseling or training | | | | with your child's pediatrician and ask for a referral to |
| for dealing with ADHD. | | | | a specialist who deals with ADHD if necessary. |
| You might be referred to a psychiatrist. As | | | | |