Who Can Diagnose ADHD?

For individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), receiving a proper diagnosis is critical to getting the necessary treatment. Knowing who can diagnose ADHD is a good first step in this process, as is recognizing who can prescribe ADHD medicine if it's needed.

The good news is that ADHD is highly treatable, often responding well to various types of therapies and medications. A qualified professional can help decide the best course of treatment based on the symptoms present and their severity.

Professionals Who Can Diagnose ADHD

Fortunately, several types of healthcare professionals can diagnose ADHD. This gives us a variety of individuals to reach out to if this condition is a concern.

Physicians

All the physicians on this list have either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, meaning that they have completed medical school.

• Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health disorder diagnosis and treatment. They're also knowledgeable about conditions that often co-exist with ADHD, such as mood and anxiety disorders. This helps them recognize and treat any conditions present.
• Pediatricians: Although qualified to diagnose ADHD in children, general pediatricians might not have the time to do an extensive evaluation. Developmental pediatricians, on the other hand, specialize in this type of disorder. That makes these specialists an excellent source for diagnosing ADHD in children.
• Primary care physicians (PCPs): One benefit of PCPs is that since a relationship is already established, it may feel more comfortable to reach out to them. However, since they don't specialize in ADHD, they may issue a patient referral to other more qualified experts in their network.
• Neurologists: A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the brain and nervous system. This type of professional can use various types of tests to find out if a person's symptoms are due to ADHD or a different disorder with similar symptoms.

Psychologists

While they have a doctorate degree and are addressed as "doctor," psychologists are not doctors of medicine. Instead, this type of professional has an advanced degree in psychology, such as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD).

Regardless, a psychologist is able to diagnose ADHD. Some specialize in working with specific age groups, such as child psychologists. Other psychologists may work primarily with adults with ADHD.

Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who've earned a master's or doctoral degree, enabling them to provide primary or specialty patient care. They often work independently, but consult with physicians when needed. NPs with a specialty in psychiatry can evaluate and diagnose ADHD and other mental health conditions in children and adults.

Counselors

The term "counselor" covers a broad spectrum of professionals with specialized training in particular types of therapy. Counselors able to assess and diagnose ADHD include:

• Licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs)
• Licensed professional counselors (LPCs)
• Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs)
• Licensed social workers (LSWs)
  

Who Can Prescribe ADHD Medicine?

Sixty-two percent of children with ADHD are treated with some type of medication. Medications are also commonly prescribed for adults with ADHD. This makes it important to know how to get ADHD medication if needed.

Only certain medical professionals can prescribe medicines for the treatment of ADHD. They include physicians (psychiatrists, pediatricians, PCPs, and neurologists) and nurse practitioners. Physician assistants (PAs) can also prescribe medication for ADHD if they're working under the supervision of a physician.

In most states, psychologists cannot prescribe medication. The only type of psychologist potentially able to prescribe ADHD medications is a clinical psychologist, and this is only allowed by those practicing in Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico.

Professionals Who Can Help Treat ADHD

The same healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD are also able to help treat it. ADHD treatment typically involves medication, therapy, or a combination of the two.

There are a few additional health professionals who can aid in the treatment of ADHD via various forms of support and assistance. Among them are:

• Occupational therapists: Occupational therapists can help individuals with ADHD develop the skills needed to improve their lives at home, school, work, and even socially. This may involve social skills training, as well as working with patients to strengthen the skills that can help them better manage their ADHD symptoms, such as those related to sensory regulation, stress management, and the development of routines.
• Speech and language pathologists: ADHD frequently co-occurs with language impairment. A speech-language pathologist can assess the communication skills of someone with ADHD, then develop an individualized treatment plan that assists the person in achieving their full potential in terms of language use and communication skills.
• Educational specialists: Students with ADHD may benefit from working with an education specialist. These specialists can help by teaching techniques for succeeding in school, in addition to helping students obtain certain school accommodations. They may also teach organizational skills.
• Dietitians or nutritionists: Research suggests that certain dietary patterns can help reduce ADHD symptoms, with some people also finding improvement when taking vitamins and other dietary supplements. This can make it beneficial to work with a dietitian or nutritionist to create a healthy eating plan.

How to Find the Right ADHD Specialist

Before looking for a healthcare professional who can diagnose ADHD, it's helpful to consider the type of treatment or support that is desired. This can help determine what type of specialist to approach.

A good place to start is talking with a primary care physician. They may be able to do the diagnosis themselves. If not, they can provide a referral to a health professional in the area who specializes in ADHD while also supplying other helpful resources.

When meeting with an ADHD specialist, questions to ask include:

• How well do they communicate? The best mental health providers are well-trained, non-judgmental, and communicative. They should be able to answer your questions, discuss your concerns, and evaluate your needs.
• Do they have experience? Ask if they have experience working with individuals with ADHD. Some may even have experience with ADHD in their own personal lives. Lived experience can be invaluable for providing additional tools and strategies.
• What is their treatment philosophy? Ask about their approach to treating ADHD. This can help you determine if they are a good match for your situation, treatment preferences, and needs.  
• How much will it cost? Find out if the professional accepts your insurance and whether their services will be covered under your plan. If not, ask whether they offer discounts for cash-paying patients or sliding scale fees.

Still unsure who to go to for concerns about ADHD? Choose a healthcare professional you feel comfortable with. Having a good relationship with them is beneficial for managing and living well with ADHD. 

Additional Factors to Consider

While it would be convenient to have one professional who meets all of your ADHD treatment needs, more often, people require a small team of professionals. Each one comes with a unique set of knowledge and skills for managing ADHD.

It is also important to know when to look for a different professional if your current one is not meeting your needs. If you feel like your doctor doesn't listen to your concerns about your ADHD traits, medications, or side effects, seek a second opinion.

Living well with ADHD often involves finding coping strategies and support to help manage traits that might cause disruptions. If your care provider is not supportive and affirming of ADHD's neurodivergent characteristics, consider looking for a professional who better understands this neurotype.