ADHD Screening and Evaluation

Screening can help a physician determine if the symptoms match diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They could conduct an examination of the body and review medical and school records to find out if the symptoms started in childhood.

They may use rating scales to determine the severity of symptoms. They may also conduct interviews with the person as well as those who are close to them.

ADHD in Children ADHD in Children: Assessment

If you suspect your child may have ADHD, it's important to find a medical expert who is experienced in diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A psychologist who specializes with children and adolescents or an pediatrician is a good option. You can ask for references from other parents or staff at the school your child attends.

To determine if a child has ADHD, the first step is to get an accurate medical record, review old school records, and then perform an examination. The physical exam will look for certain health conditions that can mimic ADHD symptoms, including hearing and vision issues. It will also check for signs of thyroid illness, which can trigger inattention and/or impulsive behaviors.

A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker will meet with both the child and his parents. They will inquire about how the child's behavior affected their family 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 should also know if the child has any allergies, especially foods, that might cause them to be unable to concentrate. The doctor should talk to the child's teacher about their schoolwork and performance. This will give the doctor a a good overall picture of the child's daily 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 the symptoms of other children of similar age. They will also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, for instance anxiety or learning disorders.

Learn Even more of ADHD in Adults

If you suspect you have ADHD and want to know more, an assessment by a qualified professional is the best way to get the correct diagnosis and treatment. Online tools claiming to assess ADHD symptoms are available however they shouldn't replace a professional assessment. They are only able to provide general advice and cannot be able to take into consideration the specific circumstances of each person.

In an evaluation, the doctor will ask you questions about your current issues and how they affect your life. You'll be asked about your childhood. It is believed that you aren't diagnosed with ADHD at the age of adulthood even if your symptoms did not manifest frequently in your childhood (technically before the age of 12). The specialist will ask for the records of your school or to speak to your teachers, parents, or anyone else who knew you as a kid.


They'll also likely request to see any performance reviews you might have from work and copies of previous psychological tests that you may have taken. If you find old report cards, they may request that you bring them along. They often include teacher remarks that can indicate whether or not you were someone who was constantly moving or had trouble paying attention. You may be asked to bring a friend or a colleague who knows you well to interview them about your conduct. This isn't an attempt to verify your honesty, but rather to gather additional information from a reliable source.

The expert will be looking for signs that could be affecting your life. This could mean losing your job due to the fact that you can't pay attention or running into financial trouble because of your impulsive nature. It could be a serious issue in your relationship because of your inability to listen to others or to wait for your turn.

Other tests may 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 version contains the same items, but asks an observer to rate the symptoms.

It's essential to answer all questions on an ADHD assessment honestly even if you're embarrassed or ashamed. How much information you give 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 such as thyroid issues or seizures. This will enable them to make the best treatment recommendation. The doctor will also conduct a physical exam that could include tests on blood to determine levels of certain chemicals in the brain, which could be low in people with ADHD.

Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents

In the adolescent period of life, the signs of ADHD can affect school performance and social interaction. These problems can negatively impact the confidence of a child and can result in anxiety and depression.

A qualified professional can help a child find ways to overcome the challenges of ADHD by implementing behavioral therapy and medication. A child who has ADHD who receives treatment is often more successful at school, as well as in other areas of their life.

Finding the right health care provider is the first step to assessing ADHD in teens. Asking the child's physician for recommendations, or seeking an expert with experience treating children with ADHD can be helpful. A mental health professional may be available at the school where the child attends or a pediatrician could suggest one.

During the clinical interview, an expert in health care will speak to the teen and ask about their school and home lives, in addition to other activities, such as hobbies and sports. A thorough evaluation will include information from other caregivers such as parents, guardians, teachers and coaches, religious leaders and others who are directly in contact with the teenager. It's important to get accurate information from multiple sources as a sign of a disorder could manifest differently in different environments.

If the teen meets the criteria for ADHD according to DSM-5, the health care professional can begin to consider 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 exhibit the symptoms in more than one environments, like at home, in school or on the job. The symptoms must interfere with everyday functioning and cannot be explained by a different disorder.

In addition to a medical interview, the health care professional can use neuropsychological testing to evaluate the teen's risk of ADHD. These tests include the Continuous Performance Test or the QbTest. These tests test the ability of teens to follow instructions, make accurate judgements and keep track details. They also assess the speed at which a teenager responds and the amount of head movements that he or she makes during the test. Research suggests that objective tests improve the accuracy of diagnosing ADHD more than subjective informant ratings.