ADHD Screening and Evaluation
A screening can help a doctor determine whether symptoms fit the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They can perform an examination of the body and review medical documents and school records to determine whether symptoms started in the early years of childhood.
They can use rating scales to assess the severity of symptoms. They can also conduct interviews with the person and those close to them.
Evaluation 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 who is specialized in children and adolescents or a pediatrician are good choices. You can ask for references from other parents or staff at your child's school.
To determine if a child has ADHD the first step is to collect an accurate medical record, review old school records, then conduct an examination. The physical exam will look for health conditions which may resemble ADHD symptoms, including hearing and vision problems. It will also look for signs of thyroid disease, which can lead to inattention or impulsive behavior.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker will sit down with the child and their parents. They will ask about the child's behavior and how it affects their home life, relationships with family and friends. The doctor may use rating scales to help identify symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
They will also ask if there any allergies present in the child, particularly food allergies that could make it difficult for them to focus. The doctor will want to talk to the child's teacher about their academic performance and schoolwork. This will give a professional an accurate picture of the child's everyday struggles.
A diagnosis can be determined if the child fulfills 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 which type of ADHD a child is suffering from the specialist will compare their symptoms to those of other kids of similar age. They will also look for other conditions that might cause similar symptoms, for example, anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in adults
If you suspect ADHD or other disorders, a test by a professional is the best way to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. There are a number of online tools that claim to assess ADHD symptoms, but these tools should never be used to replace an evaluation by a specialist. They can only offer general advice and can't consider the individual situations of each individual.
During the examination you will be asked about your current challenges and the impact they have on your life. They'll also ask about your childhood experiences. It is believed that you aren't diagnosed with ADHD as an adult even if your symptoms did not manifest regularly during 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 was familiar with you as a child.
You'll likely be required to bring any prior assessments of your performance and psychological tests from your previous job. They may ask you to bring back old report cards if you are able to find them, as these typically include comments from teachers that might indicate whether you had trouble paying attention or were constantly on the go. You may be requested to bring a friend or partner who knows you well to be able to question them on your behavior. This isn't an attempt to verify your honesty, but to get 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 if you are easily distracted or falling into financial trouble if you are unable to concentrate. conversational tone could cause a major issue in your relationship due to your inability to listen to others or wait your turn.
Other assessments include the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (version 1.1) or its equivalent CAARS-L-O, which is rated 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 latter includes the same items and rating scale but requires an observer to evaluate your symptoms.
It is crucial to answer all questions on an ADHD assessment honestly even if you're embarrassed or ashamed. The amount of information you provide will influence the accuracy and quality of your assessment. The specialist will also need to determine whether your symptoms are caused by other health issues, such as thyroid problems or seizures. This will allow them to make the best treatment recommendation. The doctor will also conduct a physical exam that may include tests on blood to determine the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that might be insufficient in people suffering from ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents
ADHD symptoms can impact the performance of students and social interactions during the adolescent phase of life. These issues can affect the confidence of a child and can cause anxiety and depression.
A trained professional can assist a child find ways to overcome the difficulties of ADHD by implementing a behavioral therapy and medication. Children who suffer from ADHD who are receiving treatment are more successful in school and in other aspects of their lives.
Finding the right health care provider is the first step in assessing ADHD in teens. This can be done by asking the child's doctor for recommendations or by looking for a specialist who has had experience treating children suffering from ADHD. The child's school may have someone on staff who can assess the child, or a mental health professional can be recommended by a pediatrician, or a family physician.
During the clinical interview an expert in health care will speak to the teen, asking questions about their home and school lives, in addition to other activities like 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 are in direct contact with the teen. It is crucial to obtain reliable information from multiple sources since a symptom could appear differently in different environments.
If the teen is in line with DSM-5 criteria for ADHD The health care provider can 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 child must show symptoms in two or more situations, including at home, at school or on the job. The symptoms must affect everyday functioning and cannot be explained by any other disorder.
The health care provider may also employ neuropsychological tests to determine the teen's ADHD. These tests could include the Continuous Performance Test or the QbTest. These tests assess the ability of teens to follow directions as well as make accurate judgements and keep track of the details. The tests also assess the speed at which a teenager reacts and head movements during the test. Research suggests that objective measures improve diagnostic accuracy for ADHD more than subjective information ratings.