Different professionals who help kids with ADHD
Expert reviewed by Thomas E. Brown, PhD
If you know your child has ADHD, or you think your child might 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 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 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 | • Conduct educational evaluations; some may even use rating scales for ADHD • Attend IEP meetings to help plan school supports and interventions • Work with kids on academics, social skills and behavior management | • 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 |
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 | |
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 that might help in class. Look into getting an evaluation for either an IEP or a 504 plan that might provide formal accommodations.