Is It Really ADHD? Why a Proper Assessment Matters More Than You Think

Meta description: Wondering if your child has ADHD? It’s not just about medication. A proper assessment looks at the whole picture—because ADHD rarely travels alone.

As a parent, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Maybe your child’s teacher has raised concerns about concentration, impulsivity, or emotional outbursts. Or perhaps you’ve noticed struggles with sleep, anxiety, or falling behind at school. You might be wondering, “Does my child have ADHD?” or “Should we see someone about this?” And then comes the worry: “Will they just stick a label on my child and give them medication?”

Let’s take a deep breath together. Because here’s the truth:

ADHD is not just about giving Ritalin.
And an ADHD assessment—done properly—is never just a quick diagnosis and a prescription pad.

ADHD Rarely Travels Alone

Here’s something many parents don’t know:
Up to 80% of children diagnosed with ADHD have other underlying issues too.
That might include:

• Anxiety
  
• Learning difficulties (like problems with reading or writing)
  
• Sensory challenges
  
• Sleep disturbances
  
• Mood issues such as sadness, frustration or irritability
  
• Emotional regulation difficulties
  
• Medical concerns such as tics, migraines, or gut problems
  

And if these aren’t identified, no amount of ADHD medication will solve the real problem. In fact, focusing only on the attention issues can miss the bigger picture entirely.

A True ADHD Assessment Is Holistic

When you bring your child to see a specialist like Dr Flett, you’re not just booking a “label” or a “quick fix.”

You’re investing in:

• A deep understanding of your child’s story—from pregnancy to school life.
  
• Insight into family history, sibling dynamics, and parental wellbeing.
  
• Careful exploration of school reports, learning struggles, and behaviour patterns.
  
• Review of sleep, diet, emotional resilience, and sensory sensitivities.
  
• Screening for autism, anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring conditions.
  

This isn’t something that can be covered in a 15-minute appointment. And it’s not something a generalist can always piece together. You need someone who understands children from the inside out—across all ages and all layers of development.

Not All Roads Should Lead to Medication

Medication can be life-changing when it’s needed—and when it’s carefully chosen as part of a broader management plan. But it’s not the only answer. And it’s never the first step unless everything else has been properly considered.

Sometimes, children don’t need medication at all. What they really need is:

• Help with emotional regulation
  
• Support for a specific learning difficulty
  
• Treatment for underlying anxiety
  
• Or even just simple changes to routine, nutrition, or classroom strategies
  

This is why Dr Flett believes every ADHD assessment should be a detective journey—not a rush to treatment.

Educational Assessments Have Their Place—But Be Careful

We often see children who’ve already had an expensive educational psychology report, only to find that the real root of the problem wasn’t fully explored.

While educational psychologists are valuable, they’re not trained to assess all the complexities—especially medical or neurodevelopmental ones. If your child might need treatment or support across more than one area, it’s often better to start with a specialist developmental paediatrician who can consider the whole picture.

Why Choose a Specialist Like Dr John Flett?

Dr Flett is a paediatrician who has walked alongside thousands of children and families dealing with ADHD, autism, learning issues, anxiety, and more. He sees children from birth through adolescence, and his assessments are tailored, compassionate, and comprehensive.

He won’t just look at a checklist. He’ll look at your child’s life.

Final Thoughts

If you’re worried about your child, trust your instincts. Don’t wait for things to get worse. And don’t let fear of labels or medication hold you back from seeking answers.

Because when you get the right assessment from the right expert, you don’t just get a diagnosis—you get a plan. You get clarity. You get hope.

If you’d like professional support or need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr Flett at 031 1000 474 or visit our Assessment Centre at 8 Village Road, Kloof, Durban. Remote consultations are also available via Zoom to fit your schedule.