ADHD Screening and Evaluation
A screening test can help a doctor determine whether symptoms fit the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They may perform an examination of the body and look over medical documents and school records to determine whether symptoms began in childhood.
They could employ scales to evaluate the severity of symptoms. They also may interview the patient and others close to them.
Assessment of ADHD in Children
If you think your child has ADHD, it's important to locate a health care expert who is experienced in diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A psychologist that specializes in children and adolescents or a pediatrician are good choices. You can ask for references from other parents or the staff at your child's school.
The first step to evaluate the child's risk of developing ADHD is to get an accurate medical history, look over old school records and performance reports, and do a physical exam. The physical exam will search for any health issues that could be similar to ADHD symptoms. These may include vision or hearing problems. Also, it will look for signs of thyroid issues which can cause uncontrollable or impulsive behavior.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker will sit down with the child and their parents. They will inquire about the child's behavior and how it has affected their home life, relationships with friends and family. The doctor may use rating scales to help identify symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
They will also ask whether there are any allergies in the child, particularly food allergies that may make it difficult for them to concentrate. The doctor will also want to talk to the child's teacher about their academic performance and schoolwork. This will provide the expert with an overall view of the child's everyday struggles.
A diagnosis can be 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 with those of other children their age to determine which subtype they are suffering from. They will also look for other conditions which may cause similar symptoms, such anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in adults
If you think you might be suffering from ADHD, a professional evaluation is the best way to determine and treat you. Online tools that claim to evaluate ADHD symptoms are available but they shouldn't substitute for a professional assessment. They offer general guidelines and are limited by the fact that they aren't able to take into consideration your unique situation.
During the examination you will be asked about your current challenges and how they affect your life. You'll be asked about your childhood. It is believed that you cannot be diagnosed with ADHD at the age of adulthood when your symptoms weren't evident regularly during the early years of your life (technically before the age of 12). The doctor may request documents from your school or talk to parents, teachers or anyone who knew you well as an infant.
They'll also likely request to see any performance evaluations you have from your job and copies of previous psychological tests that you may have taken. They may ask you to bring back old report cards if you can find them, since they typically include comments from teachers that might indicate whether you struggled to pay attention or were constantly moving. You might be requested to bring a friend or partner who knows you well so that they can interview them on your behavior. This is not an attempt to check your honesty, but to get additional information from a third-party.
The most important thing the expert will look for is if you have symptoms that significantly interfere with your life. This could mean losing your job if are easily distracted or falling into financial difficulties if you can't concentrate. It could also be a serious issue in your relationship caused by your inability wait for your turn or have trouble listening to others.
Other tests could include the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, version 1.1 or its counterpart that is rated by observers CAARS-L O. 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 second version contains the same items, but asks an observer to rate symptoms.
It is crucial to answer all of the questions in an ADHD assessment honestly even if you're embarrassed or ashamed. What you share will impact the accuracy and quality of your evaluation. The specialist will need to determine if your symptoms are due to another health issue such as thyroid issues or seizures. This will help them make the most appropriate recommendation for treatment. The specialist will also perform an examination of the body that may include an examination of blood to assess levels in the brain of certain chemicals that are not present in people with ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents
In the adolescent stage of life, symptoms of ADHD can hinder school performance and social interaction. These issues can affect the confidence of a child and can lead to depression and anxiety.
A qualified professional can aid an individual child overcome the challenges of ADHD by using behavioral therapy and medication. A child with ADHD who receives treatment often performs better at school and in other aspects of their lives.
The first step to evaluate a teen for ADHD is to find the appropriate health care provider. This can be done by contacting the child's doctor for recommendations or by looking for a specialist with experience treating children with ADHD. The child's school may have someone on staff who can evaluate the child, or a mental health professional can be recommended by a pediatrician or family doctor.
During the clinical interview, the health professional will meet with the teen and inquire about their school and family lives, in addition to other activities like sports and hobbies. get an adhd assessment will include information from other caregivers, such as parents and guardians, teachers, coaches, religious leaders and others who are in direct contact with the teenager. It's important to gather accurate information from different sources, as symptoms can be different in different environments.
If the teen is found to meet the requirements for ADHD based on DSM-5, a 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, in school or at work. The symptoms must interfere with daily functioning and cannot be explained by other disorder.
The health professional could also use tests for neuropsychological disorders to assess the teenager's ADHD. These tests could include the Continuous Performance Test and the QbTest. These tests evaluate the capacity of teenagers to follow directions, make accurate judgements and keep track of information. The tests also test the teen's reaction time and head movements during the test. Research suggests that objective measures improve the accuracy of diagnosing ADHD more than subjective ratings from informants.