Who Can Diagnose ADHD?

When seeking an Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, it’s important to see a licensed healthcare professional, such as a pediatrician, psychiatrist, neurologist, or psychologist.

A healthcare provider will diagnose the person based on guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

This article will walk through who can diagnose and treat ADHD and how to find a mental health professional.

Who Can Diagnose ADHD?

A number of different medical or mental healthcare professionals can diagnose child and adult ADHD. These include:

A primary care doctor

A primary care doctor, such as a pediatrician, may be able to diagnose ADHD in some cases. Often, this is a good place to start, because they may be familiar with you or child’s medical history.

Even if the doctor isn't able to provide a diagnosis themselves, they may be able to refer you to another medical professional or testing center that offers ADHD testing.

A psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication and diagnose conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, learning disabilities, or mood disorders. Psychiatrists may have different specialties or areas of knowledge. For example, one psychiatrist may specialize in ADHD, whereas another may specialize in, say, bipolar disorder or autism.

Regardless of who you see for an accurate diagnosis, it can be helpful to look for someone who specializes in ADHD psychiatry so that they are more apt to understand symptoms and the various ways they can manifest. Especially in cases where a diagnosis isn't clear-cut or when thorough testing is needed, a specialist can be incredibly helpful.

A neurologist

A neurologist is a specialist in the functions, disorders, and anatomy of the nerves and nervous system. Those who work in neurology deal with the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions that involve the brain.

Since ADHD is a neurodevelopment disorder, it is relatively common for neurologists to specialize in, diagnose, or treat ADHD. Similar to other medical professionals, such as psychiatrists, they may specialize in specific areas (not always ADHD), which is something to keep in mind.

A psychologist

Psychologists can fulfill many roles in medical or mental health care. They can conduct research, work with clients for psychotherapy, and may be able to diagnose or offer testing for a variety of disorders.

Note that other providers who you may see for counseling or therapy sessions (IE, a licensed mental health counselor) may not be able to diagnose ADHD.

If they can't provide a diagnosis, they'll most likely be able to refer you to a colleague or help you find someone who can. Again, psychologists may specialize in many different areas - anxiety disorders, depression and ADHD, or another mental health condition.

When to Seek an ADHD Diagnosis

You may seek a diagnosis if you see symptoms of inattention; such as:

• Being distracted easily (typically on schoolwork)
• Forgetfulness, and making seemingly careless mistakes, failure to see attention to detail
• Symptoms of Hyperactivity/impulsivity (fidgeting, squirming, or trouble remaining seated when expected to do so, interrupting others or blurting out answers to a question, disrupting other people's activities or conversations, and acting as though one's "driven by a motor" or "always on the go")
• Lack of organizational skills impacting daily activities
• Poor time management (read our ADHD time management guide if you or a loved one is struggling to keep track of time).

The cost of an evaluation for ADHD may differ based on who does it and where the tests are done.

Who Can Treat ADHD?

A number of medical and mental health professionals can play a role in the ADHD treatment. These include but aren't limited to:

• Counselors, therapists, social workers, and psychologists
• Medical doctors, such as psychiatrists or primary care physicians
• Neurologists
• Occupational therapists
• Psychiatrists

School and/or educational staff can also be highly supportive for those in school.

If you are a parent, read how to find a children's ADHD therapist near you.

Who can prescribe medications?

A medical doctor, such as a primary care physician, neurologist, or psychiatrist, can prescribe medication. In a few states, psychologists may also prescribe medication with additional training. You must have a doctorate degree to prescribe medication, which is the case for all of these professionals.

How to Find a Mental Health Provider

Mental health providers encompass a range of different mental health professionals. If you're wondering how to find a mental health provider who works with ADHD, here's what you can do:

Contact a primary care doctor

The first step to getting an ADHD diagnosis, or medications and other forms of treatment post-diagnosis, can be as simple as making an appointment with your clinician, or the primary care doctor that the person in your care who has or is suspected to have ADHD sees for regular checkups and exams. For example, your child's pediatrician.

Search the web for specialists near you

Conducting a web search can point you in the right direction, especially if you are looking for a specific professional or a specific form of care. For example, you might conduct a web search for "ADHD testing near me" or "ADHD psychiatrists near me."

If you go this route and want to use your health insurance plan, make sure that you ask the professional you are interested in seeing if they take your insurance. Sometimes, this information will be available on a professional's and/or center's website. If not, there should be contact information or a "contact us" form on the website.

You can also use an online directory, such as the one on psychologytoday.com, to find a mental health professional. Online directories often allow you to search for mental health professionals based on the condition you're seeking care for, your health insurance plan, the age group of yourself or the person in your care, and so on. This can help you explore your options and narrow them down.

Contact your insurance company

If you are covered under a health insurance plan and want to use your insurance for services such as ADHD testing, behavioral therapy, or medication management, one way to go about it is to contact your health insurance company directly.

There should be a phone number on the back of your insurance card, or you may be able to find information on their website. Sometimes, insurance companies even have directories on their website that allow you to search for a particular professional.

When you contact your insurance company, they may also be able to answer questions about which services are covered under your plan in general. For example, you might ask, "is there a behavior therapist near me who works with ADHD and takes my insurance?"

Find an ADHD testing center

You can search for ADHD testing centers in your area if you choose. Once you or the person in your care has a diagnosis, they may also be able to point you in the right direction for any next steps you want to take, such as getting a prescription for medication or working with a therapist.

If you are a college student, the institution you attend may have ADHD tests on campus in some cases, or staff who work in spaces such as the disability office or the counseling center may be able to point you in the right direction. If you already have an ADHD diagnosis (or another diagnosis), they may also be able to help you get accommodations for the condition you have or find other forms of support, like therapy.

The Benefits of a Diagnosis

The benefits of an appropriate diagnosis can be vast. When you receive an appropriate diagnosis, it can:

• Provide personal clarity. When someone receives an appropriate diagnosis, whether it's for ADHD or something else, it can provide personal clarity and understanding. This can be healing and beneficial in a variety of ways.
• Help you find the appropriate treatment(s) or forms of support. When you receive an appropriate diagnosis, it can help you find various forms of care based on what you need. This may mean that you can get a prescription for ADHD medication, find a therapist in your area who offers behavior therapy for ADHD, or find at-home and self-help resources that are appropriate for the condition you or your loved one have. For example, if you know that your child has ADHD, you may find games such as Joon helpful, or you may find parenting techniques and tips (IE, reward systems and behavior charts) beneficial.
• Help you get appropriate accommodations and resources. Sometimes, accommodations are necessary at work or school when you live with a condition like ADHD. If you find that you or a loved one needs a resource such as SSDI now or in the future, a diagnosis will be absolutely necessary. This is something to keep in mind.

There is no shame in having ADHD or pursuing a potential diagnosis of ADHD. You and the medical or mental professionals you work with can work together to help you find the appropriate treatment plan.

Those recently diagnosed with ADHD, or those who have a loved one, such as a child or adolescent, who recently received an ADHD diagnosis, may benefit from peer support options like support groups for individuals and loved ones who live with ADHD. If you have ADHD or know someone who does, you aren't alone, and there are many ways to get the help you need. Read more about how to tell your child about an ADHD diagnosis.

Takeaway

ADHD is a common disorder that can affect anyone, anywhere. If you notice symptoms of ADHD in your child, yourself, or a person in your care, ADHD testing can be the first step to getting the appropriate care. There are a number of different medical or mental health professionals who can diagnose ADHD and related conditions.

This article is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice. Please consult with your or your child's prescribing doctor before changing, starting, or stopping a medication routine.