Diagnosing ADHD
Andrea Jones, RN
February 2010
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common pediatric disorder with symptoms including difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior and hyperactivity.
If you or your child’s teachers question if your child has ADHD we suggest you make an appointment with your child’s doctor to discuss it. If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD we do ask that they try to stay with the same doctor for as long as they are being treated, so please pick a doctor you feel they will be most comfortable seeing.
Before the appointment we will ask that the parent(s) and your child’s teachers fill out some questionnaires called “Vanderbilt’s.” We are now having parents fill out these questionnaires online through a secure website developed by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center called the ADHD portal. In order to access the web portal and fill out the questionnaires, we will need your email address and will email you an activation code developed for your child only. This will allow you to log into the portal. On this page you can also enter their teacher’s email addresses so they can complete the questionnaires as well. In order for your child to get the best treatment possible, these questionnaires should be filled out before every appointment. This allows the physicians to better track the progress your child is making with medications or if there is any side effects.