how long does it take to diagnose adhd in a child with absence seizure epilepsy

Hi Angela,

This is a difficult situation because the two conditions mimic each other and can be hard to differentiate. In other words, absence seizure epilepsy can look very much like the inattentive subtype of ADHD and vice versa.

I am assuming your child is seeing a neurologist, who has diagnosed the seizures and is assessing for ADHD. My understanding is that two features that differentiate the two disorders often help in the diagnostic process:

Children with ADHD often do not complete homework and have difficulty remaining on task. However, it sounds from your question that your child might have both disorders. If you're uncertain about your neurologist's findings, I would consult with a pediatric neuropsychiatrist or neuropsychologist who may be able to help determine whether ADHD is also part of the picture.

You might want to consider contacting your local children's hospital for names. You can also call your local CHADD chapter for names of professionals who have expertise in ADHD: 800-233-4050, or visit their website at www.chadd.org and look for their Chapter Locator.

This is a tricky one- let us know what happens.

Terry