A Ritalin prescription may not be the key to your child's success in school. In fact, it may be doing more harm than good. As the number of cases of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) rise, so do questions about the accuracy of those diagnoses.

The Trouble with ADHD
The biggest challenge in successfully diagnosing ADHD is the lack of any physical markers. Doctors generally begin with a full physical to eliminate obvious causes of short attention spans, such as hearing loss, ear infections and brain injuries. When an obvious physcial cause cannot be found, doctors must rely on a questionnaire and observations to make a diagnosis. This can easily lead to misdiagnosis, since the results are subjective and open to interpretation.

Complicating matters, the symptoms of ADHD are not unique to the condition. The restless and short attention span of ADHD can be caused by other ailments or environmental factors, including

• Extremely high intelligence that leaves the child bored at school
• Insomnia or other sleep disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Autism
• Epilepsy
• Depression
• Substance abuse
• Mood disorders
• Personality disorders

Hearing and cognitive problems without obvious physical signs could also be causing ADHD-like symptoms. The first check for parents is to make sure that a complete physical examination is carried out on the child to rule out these physical causes. Only then should an ADHD evaluation take place.

Getting a Second Opinion
When something's causing your child to suffer or struggle, the first reaction is to find a solution as quickly as possible. In the case of an ADHD diagnosis, this usually means behavior therapy or prescriptions.

A better first step is to seek a second opinion from a doctor who is unaffiliated with the doctor who made the initial diagnosis. You may want to seek out a specialist who deals in mental illnesses or cognitive disabilities. Finding the right doctor can be a challenge; choosing one who specializes in ADHD treatment may only get you a confirmation of the original diagnosis, while choosing a doctor who rarely diagnoses ADHD could leave you believing that your child is normal.

Try to find a doctor who is experienced in treating a range of childhood conditions. If the ADHD diagnosis is confirmed, you can begin treatment for your child knowing that you've ruled out other possible causes.