ADHD and Finding a Psychologist

Dear Dr. Bill:

Our adoptive 8-year-old son has trouble concentrating and staying on task in school. My husband and I are considering having him tested for ADHD, but I have reservations about negative effects that a psychologist can have on a child. Are my concerns totally out of balance? What are some guidelines for selecting a psychologist? And should we make sure he is a Christian?

— Glenda

Dear Glenda:

Your son's attention problems could be caused by a variety of different things. ADHD is one possibility. So are learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, and even family problems. I would suggest that you arrange to have your son evaluated by a professional who specializes in ADHD. This could be a child psychologist, a child psychiatrist, a pediatrician, or a licensed family counselor.

I always advise parents to get a referral from a medical professional that they trust, such as their family doctor. If your city has a children's hospital, they will be able to refer you to a specialist in treating ADHD. If you live in a rural area, this may mean traveling to a larger city in your state.

Many Christian parents have concerns about taking their child to a non-Christian therapist. Certainly, you're wise to be wary of any therapist who may be anti-Christian or hostile to your faith. But there are many fine non-Christian physicians and psychologists who are excellent professionals and may be able to help your son. What's important is that they respect your Christian beliefs and don't attempt to undermine your faith.

By the way, a great place to find comprehensive information about ADHD is an organization called CHADD, Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder. You can visit their Web site at www.chadd.org. You also might want to order a new book we have here at Focus on the Family called Why ADHD Doesn't Mean Disaster. It's co-written by my colleague, Dr. Walt Larimore, who is a family physician.

Thanks for writing, Glenda. By the way, Focus on the Family's Counseling Department can refer you to a licensed Christian counselor in your local area. To reach our counseling department by phone, call (719) 531-3400 ext. 2700 weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MST).

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