ADHD Screening and Evaluation
A screening test can help a physician determine if symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They can perform an examination of the body and look over medical records and school records to determine whether symptoms started in the early years of childhood.
They may use rating scales to assess the severity of symptoms. They can also interview the person as well as those who are close to them.
Assessment of ADHD in Children
If you think your child is suffering from ADHD, it's important to locate a health care professional with expertise in diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A pediatrician is a good choice or a psychologist that specializes in children and teens. The school where your child attends may have a psychologist on staff, or you could request references from other parents.
To assess a child's ADHD the first step is to collect a complete medical record, review old school records, then conduct a physical examination. The physical exam will look for certain health conditions that can mimic ADHD symptoms, including vision and hearing problems. It will also look for signs of thyroid problems, which can lead to inattentive or impulsive behavior.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker will sit down with the child and their parents. assess adhd will inquire about how the child's behavior affected their family life and relationships with family members and friends. The doctor may use rating scales to help identify symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
They will also inquire if there any allergies present in the child, particularly food allergies that can make it difficult for them to concentrate. The doctor may also want to talk to the child's teachers about their work and performance. This will give the doctor a an overall picture of the child's daily struggles.
A diagnosis is determined if the child fulfills the DSM-IV criteria for ADHD. In addition, the doctor will often assess whether the child has the combined type of ADHD or just inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive. Experts will compare the symptoms of a child to those of children who are similar to their age to determine what type they have. They will also look for other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in Adults
If you think you may have ADHD an evaluation by a professional is the best way to diagnose and treat you. There are a number of online tools that claim to evaluate ADHD symptoms however, these tools should never be used in lieu of an assessment by a professional. They offer general guidelines and are restricted by the fact that they can't take into account the specific circumstances of your child.
During the examination you will be asked about your current issues and the impact they have on your life. You'll be asked about your childhood. It's believed that you cannot be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood when your symptoms weren't evident regularly in childhood (technically before age 12). The specialist will ask for records from your school or speak to your teachers, parents or anyone else who was familiar with you as a child.
You'll likely be requested to bring any previous psychological tests and performance evaluations from your job. If you can find old report cards, they may request that you bring them with you. These often contain teacher comments that could indicate whether or not you were a person who was constantly on the move or had trouble paying attention. They might request that you bring with you a significant other who knows you well to talk to them about your conduct. This is not an attempt to check your honesty, but to get additional information from a third-party.
The most important thing an specialist will be looking for is whether you suffer from symptoms that significantly interfere with your daily life. This could mean losing your job if you are easily distracted or falling into financial problems if you don't concentrate. This could cause a major problem in your relationship due to your inability listen to others or wait for your turn.
Other assessments include the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (version 1.1) or its counterpart CAARS-L-O, which is scored by an observer. The former assesses 18 symptoms of ADHD that reflect the diagnostic criteria from the DSM-IV-TR and is divided into two main symptom domains, inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. The latter has the same items and rating scale but requires an observer to rate your symptoms.
Even if you are uncomfortable or embarrassed it is important to answer all questions honestly during an ADHD assessment. The amount of information you provide will impact the accuracy and validity of your evaluation. The specialist will need to determine whether your symptoms are due to another health issue such as thyroid issues or seizures. This will help them make the most appropriate recommendations for treatment. The doctor will also conduct physical examinations that may include a test of blood to measure levels in the brain of certain chemicals that are in low levels in people suffering from ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in adolescents
In the adolescent stage of life, symptoms of ADHD can affect school performance and social interaction. These problems can negatively impact a child's confidence and lead to depression and anxiety.
A qualified professional can help children in overcoming the problems of ADHD through a combination of behavioral therapy and medication. Children who suffer from ADHD who receive treatment tend to do better in school and in other aspects of their lives.
The first step in assessing the condition of a teenager for ADHD is to locate the right health care provider. This can be done by asking the child's physician for recommendations or looking for a specialist who has expertise in treating children with ADHD. A mental health specialist may be on staff at the school where the child attends or a pediatrician could suggest one.
In a clinical interview the health care specialist will inquire from the teen about his or her home and school life as well as other activities, such as sports and hobbies. A thorough evaluation will include information from other caregivers, like parents or guardians teachers, religious and scout leaders, coaches and others who have direct contact with the teenager. It is crucial to collect accurate information from various sources, since a symptom can appear differently in different settings.
If the teenager meets the criteria for ADHD in accordance with DSM-5, the health professional may start to think about a diagnosis. This includes a symptom of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity that starts at least 6 months before the evaluation and is inappropriate for the child's developmental level. The child must show symptoms in multiple environments, like at home and at school or at work. The symptoms must be disruptive to everyday functioning and cannot be explained by another disorder.
In addition to a medical interview, the health care professional may also use neuropsychological tests to evaluate the teen's risk of ADHD. These tests may include the Continuous Performance Test and the QbTest. These tests evaluate the capacity of teens to follow instructions, make accurate judgements and keep track details. They also examine the speed at which a teenager responds and the amount of head movements he or she makes during the test. Research suggests that objective measures improve the accuracy of diagnosis for ADHD more than subjective informant ratings.