It’s a good idea to have a routine physical that will assess your overall health. Your doctor may also order specific tests, such as a blood test that checks lead levels, a blood test that looks for thyroid disease, and a CT scan or MRI to check brain activity. Different types of doctors can offer different expertise. It may be helpful to visit more than one doctor to get a full diagnosis and treatment plan.  A psychiatrist is trained in diagnosing ADHD and is licensed to prescribe medication. This person may not be trained in counseling. A psychologist is trained in diagnosing ADHD and is trained in counseling. This person is not licensed to prescribe medication in most states; however, psychologists in New Mexico, Louisiana, and Illinois can prescribe medication.  Your family doctor is familiar with your medical history but may lack the specialized knowledge about ADHD. This person is also not trained in counseling. A psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in ADHD issues can make the diagnosis for you about ADHD. This person will interview you to get a detailed idea of your past and current life experiences and challenges. Bring your health records to your appointment, as these may indicate certain health conditions that mimic symptoms of ADHD. Talk with your parents or other family members about your family medical history. ADHD can be genetic, so it is helpful for your doctor to know about your family's past medical issues. Many individuals with ADHD experience difficulty at work, including time management, focusing and managing projects. These challenges are often reflected in job performance reviews as well as the number and types of jobs you’ve held. Bring these records to your appointment. Your ADHD has likely been impacting you for years. You may have gotten poor grades or you may have frequently been in trouble in school. If you can find your old report cards and school records, bring them to your appointment. Go back as far as possible, even to elementary school. If you think your child has ADHD, bring his or her report cards and samples of school work to the appointment. The mental health professional may also request behavior reports from your child’s teachers. It can be extremely useful for the therapist to talk with other people about your possible ADHD. It might be hard for you to say that you’re constantly restless or that you have trouble concentrating. Many disorders mimic some of the symptoms of ADHD, contributing to misdiagnoses.  Some of the conditions that may resemble ADHD include learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, epilepsy, thyroid dysfunction and sleep disorders. Talk with your doctor or mental health professional about whether you have any of these disorders. Comorbidity is the presence of two disorders in one patient. As if having an ADHD diagnosis isn’t challenging enough, one out of every five with ADHD is diagnosed with another serious disorder (depression and bipolar disorder are common partners). One-third of children with ADD also have a behavioral disorder (conduct disorder, oppositional defiance disorder).  ADHD tends to pair up with learning disabilities and anxiety, too.
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One-sentence summary -- Visit your family doctor for a physical exam. Choose the best medical professional for your diagnosis. Schedule an appointment with a mental health professional. Assemble health records. Bring employment records. Gather report cards and school records. Bring your partner or family member with you. Rule out other disorders. Recognize the possibility of comorbidity with ADHD.

Article: A proper personal flotation device should be a jacket or vest that covers the chest, stomach and back. The life vest must be properly fitted so that it does not slip up on the body when falling.  It should fit snugly but not be uncomfortable. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s label for weight limits and sizing information. You will want a pair of combination skis, which are suitable for beginners and have two skis with one ski having a half-foot binding behind the other foot. Skis for beginners will usually be wider and thus more stable on the water. They will be made for different weight ranges so it is important to pick a water ski that suits your size.  Check the manufacturer recommendations for the recommended weight ranges for the particular skis you are looking at. Kids skis are different in that they are smaller and easier for small children to control. They will usually come with a “trainer” option, or when you tie the skies together to prevent the skier from losing their balance and performing the splits. The bindings will usually be adjustable for a range of sizes to fit a variety of people. Trainer skis for kids can often be tied together, preventing the child from doing the “splits”. Kids usually have a hard time keeping control over their skis and keeping them together so this can be incredibly helpful when beginning. A water skiing rope will have a little stretch only and be 75 feet (22.86 meters) long from the handle to the opposite end. Do not use a wakeboarding rope, which will have no stretch, or a rope that is too stretchy. The rope should be labelled and marketed specifically for water skiing. There are seven different hand signals that a skier should learn. These are important for signalling the boat driver while water skiing.  A thumbs-up means go faster while a thumbs-down means slow down. It is important to remember this while skiing so that you do not accidentally ask for more speed. Bring thumb and forefinger together to signal OK. This tells the driver that the speed and path are good. Point your finger in the air and move it in a circular motion and then point to the direction when you want to turn a certain way. This can be used by the water skier to signal that they want to go a particular way or by the boat driver to warn the skier of a turn. Pat your head to signal that you would like to return to the dock. You can do this if you are tired and want to finish. A slashing motion at the neck means to stop the boat immediately. This can be done by the skier, driver or observer in case of emergencies. Clasp your hands over your head after a fall to signal that you are OK. This should be done after every fall. Many states require boats to have ski flags. These are usually bright coloured flags that signal to other boats that there is a skier in the water. Every time the skier is in the water and not skiing, the flag must be held up for other boats to see. This is an important safety measure and most boats will need an observer who is in charge of watching the skier and holding the flag. The proper stance for starting to water ski is called the “cannonball” position.  While on dry land, put the skis on your feet. Hold the handle and bend your knees so that you are sitting on the skis in the same form you would use to complete a cannonball. Have someone pull gently on the other end of the rope to help pull you up into into a chair position. You will look like you are sitting in a chair, even though there is not one. Make sure your knees stay together at all times and that you keep your arms straight to allow the rope to pull you up.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Wear a life vest. Obtain water skis. Consider tying the skis together. Use a proper water skiing rope. Learn to use the proper signals. Get a ski flag for safety. Learn the proper stance on dry land first.