Adhd combined type is basically a combination of inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive ADHD. ADHD is divided into three subtypes as follows:

1. Predominantly Inattentive

2. Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive

3. Combined Inattentive and Hyperactive/Impulsive

Most children who are diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder) fall into the third category. Girls tend to be diagnosed with predominantly inattentive type while their male counterparts are more likely to be diagnosed with predominantly hyperactive/impulsive.

The Diagnosis

When a child is suspected of being ADHD they are usually already about six or seven years of age. Usually the child's teachers will pick up on the ADHD behavior or tendencies and suggest that the child be taken for an evaluation. Very often the structured pressure of the academic environment proves to be too much for the ADHD child and the symptoms become more noticeable. In the case of predominantly inattentive type ADHD the disorder can be somewhat more difficult to determine by the adults in the child's life, especially if there is a lack of experience with the disorder. Unfortunately this leads many children to be labelled as lazy and uncommitted to their work. This can lead to self-esteem problems that can plague the child through their teenage years and on into their adulthood if the disorder remains undiagnosed.

Children with predominantly hyperactive/impulsive or adhd combined type tend to be diagnosed more frequently because of the hyperactive behavior. Any teacher with experience with ADHD is able to determine whether a child should be evaluated. Although many children are rambunctious on the playground they are able to sit still in the classroom and be attentive, but the child who falls into either of these subtypes will not be able to control their behavior in the classroom. They will be fidgety, move around, blurt out answers and comments without waiting their turn, have difficulty focusing on a task or activity, be distractible and find it impossible to sit still. A teacher with such a child in the classroom is more than likely going to recommend that the child's parents take the child for a professional evaluation.

When a child is evaluated for ADHD the following will transpire:

* The mental health expert will interview the child's parents or guardians to ascertain when the symptoms and behaviors were noticed. Children with ADHD usually exhibit the behaviors and symptoms at a rather young age although treating them when they are younger than six is inadvisable. Also, young children can exhibit behavior that appears to be indicative of ADHD but is in fact just normal behavior for their age and level of development.

* The mental health expert will want to know if the behaviors and symptoms occur in multiple environments and situations rather than only in the school environment or home environment.

* They will also query whether there have been any recent upheavals or upsets in the child's recent past such as a divorce, a death in the family, moving home, changing schools, etc. The reason for this is because these activities can produce temporary ADHD-like symptoms.

* The child will also need to undergo a physical examination so as to rule out possible medical causes for the behavior and symptoms they are displaying.

* If the child is diagnosed with adhd combined type or in one of the other two categories the next step will be a look at treatment options. This usually consists of medications such as Ritalin or Adderall.

The evaluation process is a lengthy one but once the diagnosis is made you can then look into treatment options. If you want to try alternative treatments such as homeopathic remedies you need to make this known to the child's doctor from the outset. Do not allow yourself to be coerced into agreeing to have your child medicated if you do not feel comfortable with the idea. Many parents and professionals are starting to consider alternative treatment options and leaving medications for treating ADHD symptoms as a last choice. Of course this is a very personal decision and as the child's parents you have the right to relevant information regarding the side-effects that are common with stimulant drugs and also non-stimulant drugs. Many children do respond favorably to these medications while others experience no improvement or intolerable side-effects. In the UK treatment starts with the parents of the child. They are given training and provided with skills to be able to assist their ADHD child. This is considered to be the first step in treating the disorder and medications are never as routinely prescribed as they are in the US.