In the course of any year I see dozens of people inaccurately diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Major Depression, etc. While certainly there is great controversy regarding such diagnoses, more often than not what I see is inept diagnosis.

I have little regard for "rating scales" and checklists, regardless of who completes them. I have high regard for thorough psychological testing done by well trained practitioners using the proper instruments, properly. Such evaluations can be well done, and are well done all of the time. However, they take time and money. For instance, I don't see how a true, competent evaluation for Dyslexia (Specific Learning Disabilty)and/or ADD/ADHD could cost much less than $1,500. For some other diagnoses, $300 or more.

It is cheaper to use ADD/ADHD drugs and/or antidepressant medications to "diagnose". A wide range of non-specialist physicians can do so: If a person if given, e.g. Strattera, or Lexipro, and "gets better" this is somehow (IMHO unfortunately) considered diagnostic proof. To me, it proves little about diagnosis or specificity of the disorder. Plenty of people have them and don't respond much to medications. Some people who respond to the medications didn't have the disorders.

To me, the starting point is very careful evaluation using the best (granted, imperfect) tools we have at present. This is a self-serving post, I'll grant you: I make part of my living doing specialized psychological evaluations (including threat/risk assessments), treating people with the problems, and testifying as an expert witness. So I'm not pessimistic about what CAN be done to help. I'm often critical regarding what HAS been done. FWIW