ADHD Screening and Evaluation
Screening can help a physician determine if symptoms match diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They can conduct physical examinations and review medical documents and school records to determine whether symptoms began in the early years of childhood.
They may use rating scales to assess the severity of symptoms. They may also interview the person and those close to them.
Assessment of ADHD in Children
If you think your child is suffering from ADHD, it's important to find a medical specialist who is skilled 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 staff at the school where your child is.
The first step in assessing the child's risk of developing ADHD is to get an entire medical history, look over old school records and reports of performance, and take an examination. The physical exam checks for certain health conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms, such as hearing and vision issues. It will also look for signs of thyroid issues, which can lead to an inattention or impulsive behavior.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker will meet with the child and their parents. They will ask questions about how the child's behavior affected their home life and their relationships with family members and friends. The doctor may use rating scales to help identify symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
They will also want find out if the child suffers from any food allergies, particularly those to which they are sensitive that could make it hard for them to concentrate. The doctor may also want to speak with the teacher about the child's schoolwork and performance. This will give the expert an overall view 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 doctor will assess their symptoms to the symptoms of other children similar to their age. They will also check for other conditions which may cause similar symptoms, such anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in Adults
If you suspect you may have ADHD an evaluation by a professional is the best way to determine and treat you. There are a variety of online tools that claim to evaluate ADHD symptoms however, they are not meant to be used to replace a professional assessment. They offer general guidelines and are limited by the fact that they aren't able to take into consideration the specific circumstances of your child.
During the assessment, the doctor will ask you about your present problems and how they affect your life. You'll be asked about your childhood. It's currently thought that you cannot be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood when your symptoms weren't evident frequently in your the early years of your life (technically before age 12). The specialist can request records from school or ask to speak to teachers, parents or anyone who knew you well as when you were a child.
They'll also likely request to see any performance assessments you might have from work and copies of previous psychological tests that you may have taken. If read article find old report cards, they may request that you bring them with you. They usually contain comments from teachers that may reveal whether or not you was always on the move or had trouble paying attention. They may request that you bring with you a significant other who is familiar with you to talk to them about your conduct. This is not to test your honesty but to get additional information from a third-party.
The professional will be looking for signs that could be affecting your life. This could include losing your job if you are impulsive or getting into financial difficulties if you can'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 second version has the same items, but asks an observer to rate the symptoms.
Even if you are uncomfortable or embarrassed it is essential to answer all questions honestly in an ADHD assessment. What you share will impact the accuracy and quality of your evaluation. The doctor will determine if your symptoms are caused by a health issue, such as thyroid problems or seizures. This will enable them to give the best treatment recommendations. The doctor will also conduct an examination of the body, which may include an examination of blood to assess levels in the brain of certain chemicals that are in low levels in people with ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in adolescents
In the adolescent phase of life, the signs of ADHD can hinder school performance and social interaction. These issues can adversely affect the confidence of a child and can cause anxiety and depression.
A qualified professional can help a child in overcoming the problems of ADHD by using behavioral therapy and medication. Children who suffer from ADHD who are receiving treatment tend to do better in school and in other aspects of their lives.
Finding the right health professional is the first step to conducting a thorough assessment of ADHD in teenagers. Asking the child's physician for suggestions, or searching for an expert who has experience treating children with ADHD can help. The school of the child may have an employee who can evaluate the child, or a mental health specialist is recommended by a pediatrician, or a family physician.
In a clinic interview, the health care specialist will inquire from the teen about his or her school and family life as well as other activities such as sports and hobbies. A complete assessment will include information from other caregivers, such as parents or guardians teachers, religious and Scout leaders, coaches, and others who have direct contact with the teenager. It's important to gather accurate information from different sources, as a symptom can appear differently in different environments.
If the teen is in line with DSM-5 criteria for ADHD The health care provider can 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 more than one settings, such as at home and at school or on the job. The symptoms must interfere with daily functioning and can't be explained by a different disorder.
The health care provider may also use tests for neuropsychological disorders to assess the teen's ADHD. These tests could include the Continuous Performance Test and the QbTest. These tests assess the ability of a teenager to follow directions as well as make accurate judgements and keep track of details. They also examine the teen's reaction speed as well as the amount of head movements that he or she makes during the test. According to studies that have been conducted, objective measures are more accurate in identifying ADHD than subjective informant ratings.