ADHD Screening and Evaluation
A screening can help a physician determine whether symptoms fit the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They can conduct a physical exam and review medical and school documents to determine whether the symptoms began in childhood.
They can use rating scales to determine the severity of symptoms. They may also interview the person and those who are close to them.
Assessment of ADHD in Children
If you suspect your child may have ADHD, it is important to consult a health professional with experience diagnosing the disorder. A psychologist that specializes in children and adolescents or a pediatrician are excellent options. The school where your child attends may have a psychologist on staff, or you can request references from other parents.
The first step to evaluate the child's likelihood of having ADHD is to get a complete medical history, review old school records and reports of performance, and take a physical exam. The physical exam will check for certain health conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms, such as hearing and vision issues. Also, it will look for signs of thyroid issues which can cause inattentive or impulsive behavior.
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker will meet 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 know if the child has any allergies, especially foods, that might make it hard for them to concentrate. The doctor will want to speak to the child's teacher about their performance and schoolwork. This will give an expert 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. To determine the type of ADHD a child is suffering from the specialist will compare their symptoms to those of children of similar age. They will also look for other conditions which may cause similar symptoms, for instance anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in adults
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, an evaluation by a specialist is the best way to get the correct diagnosis and treatment. Online tools that claim to measure ADHD symptoms are available but they shouldn't substitute for a professional evaluation. They can only give general advice and do not take into account the unique situations of each individual.
During the evaluation, the doctor will ask you questions about your current problems and how they affect your life. You'll be asked about your childhood. According to current research you are not able to be considered to have ADHD at the age of adulthood even if the symptoms did not manifest frequently in your the early years of your life (technically prior to the age of 12). The doctor will request documents from your school or speak to your parents, teachers, or anyone else who had contact with you as a child.
They'll also likely request to see any performance reviews you might have from work as well as copies of any previous psychological tests that you may have taken. They may ask you to bring old report cards if you are able to find them, since they typically contain comments from teachers which could reveal that you had trouble paying attention or were always on the go. They might also ask you to bring with you a loved one who is familiar with you, so they can interview them about your behavior. This is not a way to check your honesty, but to get additional information from a third party.
The most crucial thing that an professional will be looking for is whether you suffer from issues that seriously impact your life. For instance, this could be a case of losing your job because you can't pay attention or causing financial problems because of your impulsive nature. It could be a significant issue in your relationship because of your inability to listen to others or wait 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. how do i get my son assessed for adhd includes the same items and a rating scale but requires an observer to assess your symptoms.
Even if you're uncomfortable or embarrassed it is essential to answer the questions honestly during an ADHD assessment. The amount of information you provide will impact the accuracy and validity of your assessment. The doctor will also need to determine whether your symptoms are caused by other health issues like thyroid issues or seizures. This will help them determine the best treatment option. The specialist will also conduct a physical examination that may include tests on blood to determine levels of certain chemicals in the brain that might be insufficient in people suffering from ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents
In the adolescent period of life, the signs of ADHD can interfere with school performance and social interaction. These issues can have a negative impact on self-esteem of children and lead to depression or anxiety.
A trained professional can help children find ways to overcome the challenges of ADHD by implementing behavioral therapy and medication. A child with ADHD who is receiving treatment is often more successful at school, as well as in other areas of his or her life.
The first step to evaluate a teen for ADHD is to locate the right health care provider. The child's doctor can provide suggestions, or searching for a specialist with experience in treating children suffering from ADHD can be helpful. The child's school may have an employee who can assess the child, or a mental health professional can be recommended by a pediatrician or family doctor.
During the clinical interview the health professional will speak to the teen and ask about their home and school lives, as well other activities, such as sports and hobbies. A complete evaluation includes information from other caregivers, such as parents guardians, teachers, coaches, religious leaders and others who are directly in contact with the teenager. It's important to get reliable information from multiple sources as a sign of a disorder could show up differently in different environments.
If the teenager meets the criteria for ADHD according to 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 symptoms must be evident in at least two different settings that include at home, at school, or at work. The symptoms must disrupt everyday functioning and cannot be explained by a different disorder.
The health professional could also employ neuropsychological tests to test the teenager's ADHD. These tests could include the Continuous Performance Test and the QbTest. These tests measure the teen's ability to follow directions as well as make accurate judgements and keep track of the details. They also test the teen's reaction speed as well as the amount of head movements he or is able to make during the test. Research suggests that objective tests improve diagnostic accuracy for ADHD more than subjective ratings from informants.