| Pediatricians | | | - Private or group practices
- Health centers
- Hospitals
- Clinics
|
| Developmental and behavioral pediatricians | - Medical doctors (MD)
- Pediatricians with additional training in behavioral, developmental, and mental health issues
- May have more education, training, and experience with ADHD than regular pediatricians
| - Evaluate for ADHD symptoms and relevant medical problems
- Prescribe medications for ADHD
- Monitor response to medications
- Work with clinical psychologists who may help with evaluations and monitoring of medication
| - Private or group practices
- Clinics
- Hospitals
|
| Nurse practitioners (NP) | - Advanced-degree nurses (APRN or DNP)
| - Evaluate and diagnose ADHD
- Prescribe and monitor medication for ADHD
| - Private physician or NP practices
- Health centers
- General health or mental health clinics
- Schools
|
| Child/adolescent psychiatrists | - Medical doctors (MD)
- Specialize in mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in kids and adolescents
| - Evaluate and diagnose ADHD and other mental health issues that may be involved
- Determine if symptoms could involve a co-occurring condition, such as anxiety or depression
- Prescribe and monitor medication for ADHD and other mental health problems involved
- Provide psychotherapy for child and/or parents
| - Private or group practices
- Hospitals
- Mental health clinics
- Schools
|
| Pediatric neurologists | - Medical doctors (MD)
- Specialize in brain and nervous system disorders in kids and adolescents
- Some are trained to treat neurodevelopmental issues like ADHD and learning differences
| - Evaluate and diagnose
- Prescribe and monitor medication
- Work with clinical psychologists, who may help with evaluations and monitoring of medication
| - Private or group practices
- Hospitals
- Medical centers
|
| Pediatric neuropsychologists | - Psychologists (PhD)
- Have additional education and training in the relationship between brain development and learning or behavior issues in kids and adolescents
- Trained to administer and interpret psychological and educational tests
| - Evaluate and diagnose both ADHD and learning differences
- Administer a wide range of tests to reveal issues that impact learning and attention
- Refer to clinical psychologists or cognitive behavior therapists for therapy (some provide therapy themselves)
- Don’t prescribe medications
| - Private or group practices
- Hospitals
- Schools (not common)
|
| Clinical child psychologists | - Psychologists (PhD or PsyD)
- Trained to treat kids with a range of mental health and behavioral issues
- Can administer psychological and/or educational testing
- Many have experience with or expertise in kids with ADHD
| - Evaluate and diagnose ADHD, learning differences, and mental health issues
- Meet with parent and child to discuss strengths and difficulties
- Provide psychotherapy for issues like depression, stress, anxiety, and managing emotions
- Don’t prescribe medications for ADHD or mental health issues, but may work with medical professionals who do
- Monitor medication responses
| - Private or group practices
- Schools
- Mental health clinics
- Hospital clinics or medical center
|
| Cognitive behavior therapists or behavior therapists | Mental health counselors. These might be: - Psychologists
- Licensed social workers (MSW)
- Mental health nurse practitioners
| - Provide individual or group therapy
- Cognitive therapy: Work on issues like depression, stress, anxiety, and managing emotions
- Behavior therapy: Work on strategies to manage or change behavior
- May provide social skills groups
- Refer to specialists who can prescribe and monitor medication
| - Private or group practices
- Mental health clinics
|
| Clinical social workers | - Social workers who work with kids, adults, couples, families, groups, and schools
- Have master’s degree (MSW); the most qualified are licensed independent clinical social workers (LICSW)
| - Diagnose ADHD and provide therapy
- Don’t prescribe medication
- May provide social skills groups
| - Private practice
- Mental health clinics
- Schools
|
| School psychologists | - Psychologists trained in psychology and education
| | |
| Special education teachers | - Teachers trained to work with kids who have ADHD and learning differences
- Often have a master’s degree and certification in reading programs for kids who also have dyslexia
- May be certified as a learning disability teaching consultant
| - Conduct educational evaluations
- Attend IEP meetings
- May help with behavior plans
- Work with kids on academics, social skills, and behavior management
- May also provide outside tutoring and teach organizational skills
| |
| Educational therapists | - Tutors with an education background
- Often are special education teachers with a master’s degree
| - Work on academic skills
- May also teach organizational skills
| |
| Organizational coaches | - Consultants with no specific credentials or training
| - Teach organizational, time-management, and study skills and strategies
| |
