Making the Diagnosis
ADHD is diagnosed on the basis of a combination of the symptoms listed above. These symptoms must interfere seriously with at least two major areas of a person's life, such as school, home, or another setting (e.g., an extracurricular activity). Also, the child must show these symptoms constantly. There are no specific blood tests, scans, or electronic tests of brain activity that are particularly helpful in making the diagnosis. A specialist determines whether the behavioral problems associated with the condition are a continuous problem that requires treatment. This should be done with questionnaires and rating scales completed by the child's parents and teachers.
It's possible that people not diagnosed with ADHD may show the symptoms as adults. Studies show that many children with ADHD show signs of the condition in their adult lives.