ADHD Screening and Evaluation
A screening can help a physician determine whether the symptoms are diagnostic for ADHD. They may do an examination of the body and review the medical and school documents to determine whether the symptoms began in childhood.
They may use rating scales to evaluate the severity of symptoms. They can also conduct interviews with the patient and others close to them.
ADHD in Children: Assessment
If you think your child has ADHD, it's important to find a health care professional with expertise in diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A pediatrician is a good option or a psychologist who specializes in children and teens. Your child's school might have someone on staff, or you could request references from other parents.
To determine if a child has ADHD the first step is to obtain an accurate medical record and then review the old school records, then conduct physical examination. The physical exam will search for health conditions that could be similar to ADHD symptoms. Iampsychiatry includes vision and hearing problems. It will also look for signs of thyroid illness, which can trigger inattention or impulsive behavior.
A psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker will meet with both the child and his parents. They will ask about the child's behavior and how it affects their family life, relationship with friends and family. 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 make it difficult for them to concentrate. The doctor should speak to the child's teacher about their academic performance and schoolwork. This will give a professional insight into the child's struggles every day.
A diagnosis is made if the child meets 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 examine the symptoms of a child with those of other children their age to determine what type they are suffering from. They will also search for other conditions that could cause the same symptoms such as anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in Adults
If you suspect ADHD and want to know more, an assessment by a qualified professional is the best way to get the right diagnosis and treatment. Online tools that claim to measure ADHD symptoms are available but they shouldn't replace a professional assessment. They offer general guidance, but are restricted by the fact that they can't take into account the specific circumstances of your child.
In an evaluation, the doctor will ask you about your present problems and how they impact your life. You'll be asked about your childhood. It's currently thought that you won't be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood even if your symptoms did not manifest regularly in childhood (technically before the age of 12). The specialist may request records from school or ask to talk to your parents, teachers or anyone else who was familiar with you as when you were a child.
They'll also likely ask to see any performance evaluations you might have from work and copies of previous psychological tests you might have taken. They might also ask you to bring back old report cards if you are able to locate them, as they often include teacher comments that could indicate if you were unable to focus or were always in a hurry. You may be requested to bring a friend or a partner who knows you well to interview them on your behavior. This isn't to check your honesty, but rather to get additional information from a reliable source.
The most important thing the professional will be looking for is whether you suffer from symptoms that are affecting your daily life. This could mean losing your job if you are impulsive, or causing financial difficulties if you can't focus. This could cause a major problem 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 version contains the same items, but requires an observer to rate symptoms.
Even if you are uncomfortable or embarrassed it is important to answer all questions honestly in an ADHD assessment. The validity of the test and its accuracy will be affected by the amount of details you provide. The specialist will also need to determine whether your symptoms are due to other health issues such as thyroid issues or seizures. This will enable them to give the best treatment recommendations. The doctor will also conduct a physical examination, which may include tests on blood to determine the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that could be low in people with ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents
In the adolescent phase of life, symptoms of ADHD can interfere with school performance and social interaction. These issues can adversely affect a child's confidence and result in anxiety and depression.
A qualified professional can aid an individual child overcome the challenges of ADHD by using behavioral therapy and medication. Children who suffer from ADHD who receive treatment are more successful in school, as well as other areas of their lives.
The first step in assessing the condition of a teenager for ADHD is to locate the right health care provider. Asking the child's doctor for recommendations, or looking for a specialist with experience in treating children suffering from ADHD can help. A mental health specialist may be on staff at the school where the child is enrolled or a pediatrician can suggest one.
In a clinical interview the health care specialist will inquire from the teen about his or her school and family life and other activities like hobbies and sports. 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 is crucial to obtain reliable information from multiple sources since a symptom could show up differently in different settings.
If the teen meets the requirements for ADHD based on DSM-5, the health care provider can start to think about the possibility of 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 two or more settings, such as at home and at school or on the job. The symptoms must affect the daily activities of the person and cannot be explained by other disorder.
In addition to a clinical interview health care professionals may also use neuropsychological tests to evaluate the teen's risk of ADHD. These tests could include the Continuous Performance Test and the QbTest. These tests assess the ability of teens to follow directions, make precise judgments and keep track of information. The tests also assess the speed at which a teenager reacts and head movements during the test. Research suggests that objective tests improve the accuracy of diagnosing ADHD more than subjective ratings from informants.