Getting a Diagnosis

An accurate diagnosis is key to getting effective treatment.

About Getting Kids Diagnosed

When a child is experiencing emotional or behavioral problems, an accurate diagnosis is the first step to getting them the help they need. But that’s not always as simple as it sounds. Children can be confusing. They can’t always tell you clearly what they’re feeling. The same symptoms can have different causes, and it’s common for kids to have multiple overlapping issues. Here are some resources to guide you through the process.

Diagnosis Basics

Getting started is often the hardest step of any process. Here’s how to figure out when to seek a diagnosis for your child — and what to look for when getting one.

Finding a Provider

A provider with the appropriate training and experience can make all the difference in both diagnosis and care. Here’s how to find the right mental health professional to help your child.

Diagnostic Lingo

Doctors and other mental health professionals often use diagnostic terminology that can feel like a foreign language. Here’s what various terms and codes mean and why they’re useful.

Diagnostic Challenges

Some diagnoses are more complex than others. Some symptoms have several different causes. Kids can show atypical symptoms; others have more than one disorder. Here are some of the most common diagnostic challenges to look out for.

Ask an Expert

"Our daughter doesn't accept her diagnoses of anxiety and depression, and we aren't thrilled with the psychologist. Any suggestions?"

Answered by: Alan Ravitz, MD, MS

Diagnosing Learning Problems

It often takes a bit of detective work to arrive at a diagnosis for a learning disorder. We walk you through the process, so you know what to expect from a learning disability evaluation.

Autism Diagnosis

Autism is a spectrum, so it doesn’t look the same in every person. While autism can be diagnosed at a young age, some people make it to adulthood before learning that they are autistic. And girls in particular tend to be overlooked.

ADHD Diagnosis

When people think of ADHD, they often picture a kid bouncing off the walls. While that can be one way ADHD can look — the hyperactive/impulsive kind — it’s not the only way. At the same time, not all inattention or hyperactivity is ADHD. Here’s what to know about an ADHD diagnosis — and misdiagnosis.