ADHD Screening and Evaluation
Screening may help a doctor determine if symptoms match diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They may perform a physical examination and review medical records and school records to determine if the symptoms started in the early years of childhood.
They could employ scales to evaluate the severity of symptoms. They may also conduct interviews with the person and those who are close to them.
ADHD in Children ADHD in Children: Assessment
If you suspect your child may have ADHD, it is important to seek out a medical professional who has experience in diagnosing the disorder. A psychologist that specializes in children and adolescents or a pediatrician are good choices. Your child's school might have a psychologist on staff, or you can ask other parents for references.
The first step to evaluate the child's risk of developing ADHD is to get a complete medical history, examine old records and school reports of performance, and take physical examination. The physical exam checks for health conditions that can mimic ADHD symptoms, such as vision and hearing problems. It will also check for signs of thyroid illness, which can lead to inattention and/or impulsive behaviors.
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker will interview the child and their parents. They will inquire about the child's behavior and how it has affected his or her family life, as well as relationships with friends and family. The doctor may use rating scales to help identify symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
They will also want be aware of if the child has any food allergies, particularly those to which they are sensitive, that might cause them to be unable to concentrate. The doctor may also want to talk to the teacher about the child's schoolwork and performance. This will give a professional an accurate picture of the child's everyday struggles.
A diagnosis can be given if the child is in compliance with 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 other children their age to determine what subtype they have. They will also search for other conditions that might cause the same symptoms, like anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in Adults
If you suspect that you may have ADHD and are concerned about it, a professional assessment is the best way to diagnose and treat you. There are a number of online tools that claim to assess ADHD symptoms, but these tools should never be used in place of a professional assessment. They can only provide general advice and cannot consider the individual circumstances of each person.
During the assessment, the specialist will inquire about your current problems and how they affect your life. You'll be asked about your childhood. According to current thinking it is not possible to be deemed to have ADHD as an adult even if the symptoms did not manifest frequently during your the early years of your life (technically prior to age 12). The specialist will ask for documents from your school or speak to your teachers, parents, or anyone else who was familiar with you as a child.
They'll also likely ask to see any performance evaluations you may have from work and copies of previous psychological tests that you may have taken. They may request that you bring old report cards if you can locate them, as they often include teacher comments which could reveal that you had trouble paying attention or were constantly moving. You may be asked to bring a relative or a partner who is familiar with you to be able to question them on your behavior. This isn't an attempt to verify your honesty, but to collect additional information from an independent source.
The most important thing an professional will be looking for is if you have 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. It could be a significant problem in your relationship because of your inability to listen to others or to wait for your turn.
Other tests include the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (version 1.1) or its counterpart CAARS-L, which is evaluated 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 second version has the same items, but asks an observer to rate the symptoms.
Even if you're uncomfortable or embarrassed, it's important to answer all questions honestly during an ADHD assessment. The amount of information you provide will affect the accuracy and quality of your evaluation. The doctor will also need to determine if your symptoms are caused by other health issues like thyroid issues or seizures. This will help them formulate the most appropriate recommendation 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 low in people with ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in adolescents
In the adolescent period of life, signs of ADHD can interfere with school performance and social interaction. These problems can negatively impact the confidence of a child and can cause anxiety and depression.
A trained professional can assist the child to overcome the challenges of ADHD through the use of behavioral therapy and medication. A child who has ADHD who is receiving treatment usually performs better in school and in other aspects of their lives.
Finding the right health professional is the first step to the assessment of ADHD in teens. Asking the child's doctor for recommendations, or seeking a specialist with experience in treating children with ADHD could be beneficial. adhd assessment could be on staff at the school where the child is enrolled or a pediatrician may suggest one.
During the clinical interview, the health professional will talk to the teen, asking questions about their home and school life, as well as other activities, such as sports and hobbies. A complete evaluation includes information from other caregivers, such as parents and guardians, teachers, coaches, religious leaders, and others who are directly in contact with the teenager. It is crucial to obtain reliable information from multiple sources as a sign of a disorder could appear differently in different settings.
If the teen meets DSM-5 criteria for ADHD, the health care provider may begin to look into 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 symptoms should be present in at least two settings that include at home, at school, or at work. The symptoms must be disruptive to daily functioning and can't be explained by a different disorder.
The health professional could also use tests for neuropsychological disorders to assess the teen's ADHD. These tests may include the Continuous Performance Test and the QbTest. These tests assess the teen's ability to follow directions, make precise judgments and keep track of information. They also test the teen's reaction speed as well as the amount of head movements he or performs during the test. According to studies, objective measurements are more accurate in diagnosing ADHD than the subjective ratings of informants.