ADHD Screening and Evaluation
A screening can help a physician determine if symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They may do a physical exam and review school and medical records to determine if the symptoms started in childhood.
They can use rating scales to determine the severity of symptoms. They can also conduct interviews with the patient and others close to them.
Evaluation of ADHD in children
If you suspect your child has ADHD It is important to locate a health care expert who is experienced in diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A psychologist who is specialized in children and adolescents, or an pediatrician is a good option. You can ask for references from other parents or staff at the school where your child is.
To assess a child's ADHD, the first step is to collect the complete medical history and then review the old school records, and then perform an exam. The physical exam will look for any health issues that could mimic ADHD symptoms. These include vision and hearing issues. It will also check for signs of thyroid problems that can lead to uncontrollable or impulsive behavior.
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker will interview both the child and his parents. They will inquire about how the child's behavior affected their lives at home and their relationships with family and friends. 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 which could make it difficult for them to concentrate. The doctor should discuss with the child's school teacher about their performance and schoolwork. This will give the expert a good overall picture of the child's everyday struggles.
A diagnosis is 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 which subtype a child is suffering from the doctor will assess their symptoms to those of other kids of similar age. They will also search for other conditions that might cause similar symptoms, for example, anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in Adults
If you suspect you have ADHD, an evaluation by a qualified professional is the best way to receive the right diagnosis and treatment. Online tools claiming to assess ADHD symptoms are available however they shouldn't substitute for a professional evaluation. They are only able to provide general advice and cannot consider the individual situations of each individual.
In an assessment, the specialist will inquire about your present problems and how they impact your life. They'll also inquire about your childhood experiences. It's currently thought that you won't be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult even if your symptoms did not manifest regularly in the early years of your life (technically before age 12). The doctor will request records from your school or speak to your teachers, parents, or anyone else who was familiar with you as a kid.
You'll likely be required to bring any prior performance tests or psychological tests from your work. If you have old report cards, they might request that you bring them along. They often include teacher comments that could be a sign that you were someone who was always in motion or was unable to focus. You might be requested to bring a friend or a colleague who knows you well so that they can interview them about your behavior. This isn't a way to verify your honesty, but to get additional information from an independent source.
The expert 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 problems if you don't concentrate. This could cause a major problem in your relationship due to your inability to listen to others or wait for your turn.
Other assessments might include the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, version 1.1 or its observer-rated equivalent 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 embarrassed or ashamed it is important to answer all the questions honestly during an ADHD assessment. The quality of the evaluation and its accuracy will be influenced by how much information you give. The doctor will also have to determine whether your symptoms are due to another health issue like thyroid issues or seizures. This will allow them to give the best treatment recommendations. The doctor will also conduct a physical examination that may include an examination of the blood to determine the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that could be low in people with ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in adolescents
ADHD symptoms can affect the performance of students and social interactions during the adolescent stage of life. These issues can affect the confidence of a child and can result in anxiety and depression.
A trained professional can help the child to overcome the difficulties of ADHD by implementing behavioral therapy and medication. A child suffering from ADHD who receives treatment often performs better at school and in other aspects of his or her life.
Finding the right health professional is the first step in conducting a thorough assessment of ADHD in teenagers. This can be accomplished by asking the child's physician for recommendations or by looking for a specialist with had experience treating children suffering from ADHD. A mental health professional may be available at the school where the child attends or a pediatrician could recommend one.
In a clinical interview the health care specialist will inquire from the teenager about his or her home and school life as well as other activities, such as 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. getting an assessment for adhd to gather accurate information from different sources, since a symptom can appear differently in different environments.
If the teenager meets the criteria for ADHD in accordance with DSM-5, a 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 symptoms should be present in at least two different settings, including at home, at school or at work. The symptoms must impact the daily activities of the person and cannot be explained by any other illness.
In addition to a clinical interview health care professionals can also conduct neuropsychological tests to assess the teen for ADHD. These tests could include the Continuous Performance Test or the QbTest. These tests assess the ability of a teenager to follow instructions, make accurate judgments and keep track of the details. They also test 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 measures improve the accuracy of diagnosis for ADHD more than subjective information ratings.