ADHD Screening and Evaluation
Screening can help a physician determine if the symptoms are diagnostic for ADHD. They may perform physical examinations as well as review medical records and school records to determine if symptoms began in the early years of childhood.
They may employ rating scales to assess the severity of symptoms. They also may interview the person and those close to them.
Assessment of ADHD in children
If you suspect your child might be suffering from ADHD, it is important to seek out a medical professional with experience diagnosing the disorder. A psychologist that specializes in children and adolescents or an pediatrician is a good option. You can request references from other parents or from the staff at your child's school.
To determine if a child has ADHD the first step is to obtain a complete medical record, review old school records, and then perform physical exam. The physical exam will look for health conditions that could be similar to ADHD symptoms. These may include vision or hearing problems. It will also look for signs of thyroid illness, which can trigger inattention or impulsive behavior.
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker will sit down with the child and their parents. They will ask about the child's behavior and how it has affected his or her family life, relationship with friends and family. The doctor may use rating scales to help identify symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
They will also want to be aware of if the child has any food allergies, specifically foods that could make it difficult for them to concentrate. The doctor will also want to speak to the child's teacher about their performance and schoolwork. This will give the expert an overall picture of the child's everyday struggles.
If the child meets all the requirements for ADHD in DSM-IV A diagnosis can be made. In addition, the doctor will often assess whether the child has the combined type of ADHD or just inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive. To determine which subtype a child has the doctor will assess their symptoms to the symptoms of other children similar to their age. They will also search for other conditions that may cause the same symptoms like anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in adults
If you suspect you may have ADHD, a professional evaluation is the best method to diagnose and treat you. Online tools that claim to evaluate ADHD symptoms are available but they shouldn't substitute for a professional evaluation. They offer general guidance, but are restricted by the fact that they don't consider your individual situation.
During the examination during the assessment, you'll be asked about your current problems and their impact on your life. You'll be asked about your childhood. According to current thinking, you cannot be considered to have ADHD as an adult even if the symptoms did not manifest frequently in your the early years of your life (technically prior to the age of 12). The specialist can request records from your school or speak to teachers, parents or anyone who knew you well as when you were a child.
You'll likely be requested to bring any previous performance tests or psychological tests from your work. They may ask you to bring old report cards if they can find them, as these typically contain comments from teachers that could indicate if you had trouble paying attention or were constantly moving. They might request that you bring with you a loved one who knows you well and they will be able to question them about your behavior. This is not to test your honesty but to gather additional information from a third-party.
The most important thing the professional will be looking for is whether you have symptoms that significantly interfere with your life. For example, this might include losing your job because you're not paying attention or getting into financial trouble because of your impulsive nature. This could cause a major issue in your relationship due to your inability listen to others or to wait for your turn.
Other assessments might include the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, version 1.1 or its observer-rated counterpart 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 includes the same items and ratings scale but requires an observer to rate your symptoms.
Even if you are uncomfortable or embarrassed, it's important to answer all the questions honestly in an ADHD assessment. The amount of information you provide will impact the accuracy and validity of your evaluation. The doctor will also have to determine whether your symptoms are due to another health issue, such as thyroid problems or seizures. This will help them make the most appropriate recommendation for treatment. The specialist will also perform an examination of the body and may also conduct an examination of blood to assess levels in the brain of certain chemicals that are low in people with ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents
ADHD symptoms can affect school performance and social interactions during the adolescent stage of life. These problems can have a negative impact on a child's self-esteem and lead to depression or anxiety.
A qualified professional can aid a child in overcoming the difficulties of ADHD by using behavioral therapy and medication. A child who has ADHD who is receiving treatment usually performs better in school, as well as in other areas of their life.
The first step to evaluate the condition of a teenager for ADHD is to find the right health care provider. This can be accomplished by asking the child's physician for recommendations or looking for a specialist who has had experience treating children suffering from ADHD. A mental health professional may be on staff at the child's school or a pediatrician can recommend one.
In a clinic interview, the health care specialist will inquire from the teenager about his or her school and family life, as well as other activities, such as sports and hobbies. A complete evaluation will also include information from other caregivers, like parents or guardians teachers, religious, scout leaders, coaches and others who are in direct contact with the teenager. It's important to get accurate information from several sources since a symptom could show up differently in different settings.
If assess adhd meets DSM-5 criteria for ADHD, the health care provider may begin to consider a diagnoses. 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 person must have the symptoms in two or more settings, such as at home, in school or at work. The symptoms must impact the daily activities of the person and cannot be explained by any other illness.
In addition to a clinical interview health care professionals can also conduct neuropsychological tests to evaluate the teen's risk of ADHD. These tests may include the Continuous Performance Test and the QbTest. These tests test the ability of teens to follow instructions, make precise judgments and keep track of details. The tests also test the speed at which a teenager reacts and head movements during the test. Research suggests that objective measures improve diagnostic accuracy for ADHD more than subjective ratings from informants.