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Medical and psychiatric history
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Complete medical and mental exam
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History of physical or emotional trauma
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Family history of physical and mental health
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Review of symptoms and general concerns with parents
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Timeline of child's developmental progress
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Academic history
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Interview with parents
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Conversations with and observations of the child
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a guide published by the American Psychiatric Association, provides criteria for making a diagnosis based on the nature, duration and impact of signs and symptoms. Another commonly used diagnostic guideline is the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) from the World Health Organization.Diagnosing mental illness in children can take time because young children may have trouble understanding or expressing their feelings, and normal development varies. The doctor may change or refine a diagnosis over time.
