---
title: Different professionals who help kids with ADHD
description: Learn about professionals and specialists who treat kids with ADHD. See who can diagnose ADHD, provide therapy, prescribe medication, and help kids build key skills.
slug: different-professionals-who-help-kids-with-adhd
author: The Understood Team
reviewer: Thomas E. Brown, PhD
published: '2019-10-16T12:19:40.956Z'
thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/TDp75gsbqduRzEksGwgpL/2e98fd3d7395b56fdb90bb35f4b48fb7/G1283338011.png
source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/different-professionals-who-help-kids-with-adhd
lang: en
---

# Different professionals who help kids with ADHD

If you know your child has [ADHD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-adhd), or [you think your child *might* have ADHD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/does-my-child-have-adhd), there are many types of professionals who can help. Not all professionals have the same level of training and experience with ADHD, however. Some who [diagnose ADHD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/video-how-is-adhd-diagnosed) may not include all the necessary steps for a proper evaluation.

The more you know about the people who help kids with ADHD, the better you’ll be at overseeing your child’s care. This chart is a good place to start learning about the doctors, therapists, and teachers who might work with your child.

| **Type of professional** | **Qualifications** | **How they can help** | **Where they may work** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pediatricians | Medical doctors (MD) | **• **Evaluate for ADHD symptoms and relevant medical problems  **• **Prescribe medications for ADHD  **• **Monitor response to medications  **• **Work with clinical psychologists who help with evaluations and monitoring of medication  **• **Refer to nurse practitioner to prescribe ADHD medications | **• **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](https://prod-v4.understood.org/en/articles/faqs-about-cognitive-behavioral-therapy) 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](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/stress-and-kids-who-learn-and-think-differently), anxiety, and [managing emotions](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/adhd-and-emotions-what-you-need-to-know)  **• **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](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/faqs-about-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 | **• **Conduct [educational evaluations](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-evaluations); some may even use rating scales for ADHD  **• **Attend IEP meetings to help plan [school supports and interventions](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/classroom-accommodations-for-adhd)  **• **Work with kids on academics, social skills and [behavior management](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/behavior-contracts-what-you-need-to-know) | **• **Schools |
| 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 | **• **Schools  **• **Private practice |
| [Educational therapists](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-tutors-and-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 | **• **Private practice |
| [Organizational coaches](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/organizational-coaches-what-you-need-to-know) | Consultants with no specific credentials or training | **• **Teach organizational, time-management, and study skills and strategies | **• **Private practice |

Getting outside help for your child with ADHD can be expensive. And not all private health practitioners take insurance. Some may base their fees on a sliding scale, however. It’s a good idea to ask about financial options when you’re looking for a specialist.

Meanwhile, there are many things you can do to help your child with ADHD. Talk to your child’s teacher about [informal supports](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/help-in-school-without-evaluation) that might help in class. Look into [getting an evaluation](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-steps-for-requesting-a-school-evaluation) for either an [IEP or a 504 plan](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-ieps-and-504-plans) that might provide formal accommodations.

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