ADHD Screening and Evaluation
Screening may help a doctor determine whether symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They could conduct a physical exam and review the medical and school documents to determine whether the symptoms began in childhood.
They could use scales to rate the severity of symptoms. They can also interview the patient as well as those who are close to them.
ADHD in Children Evaluation of ADHD in Children
If you suspect your child may have ADHD it is essential to find a health care expert who is experienced in diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A psychologist who is specialized in children and adolescents or a pediatrician are excellent options. The school you attend may have a psychologist on staff or you can seek out references from other parents.
The first step in evaluating the child's risk of developing ADHD is to get an entire medical history, examine old school records and reports of performance, and take physical examination. The physical exam will check for any health issues that may mimic ADHD symptoms, such as hearing and vision problems. It will also check for signs of thyroid issues that can lead to an inattention or impulsive behavior.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker will meet with both the child and his parents. They will ask questions about how the child's behavior affected their home life 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 inquire whether there are any allergies in the child, especially food allergies that may cause them to be unable to focus. The doctor should talk to the child's teacher about their performance and schoolwork. This will give an expert insight into the child's struggles every day.
If the child fulfills all of the criteria for ADHD in DSM-IV, a diagnosis can be made. In addition, the doctor will often assess whether the child has the combined type of ADHD or just inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive. Experts will evaluate the symptoms of a child to those of other children their age to determine what type they have. They will also search for other conditions that might cause the same symptoms such as anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in Adults
If you suspect that you may have ADHD and are concerned about it, a professional assessment is the best method to diagnose and treat you. Online tools that claim to evaluate ADHD symptoms are available but they shouldn't substitute for a professional evaluation. They can only provide general advice and cannot take into account the unique situations of each individual.
During the assessment, the doctor will ask you questions 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 at the age of adulthood even if your symptoms did not manifest regularly in the early years of your life (technically before the age of 12). The specialist will ask for records from your school or speak to your teachers, parents, or anyone else who was familiar with you as a child.
They'll also likely ask to see any performance evaluations you may have from work as well as copies of any previous psychological tests that you may have taken. They might also ask you to bring old report cards if they can find them, since they often include teacher comments that could indicate if you were unable to focus or were always moving. They might request that you bring an acquaintance or spouse who knows you well to talk to them about your conduct. This is not a way to verify your honesty, but rather to obtain additional information from a third-party.
The professional will be looking for symptoms that are affecting your life. This could include losing your job if you are impulsive or getting into financial problems if you don't concentrate. It could be a serious issue in your relationship because of your inability to listen to others or wait your turn.
Other tests include the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (version 1.1) or its counterpart CAARS-L, which is evaluated 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 includes the same items, but requires an observer to rate symptoms.
It is essential to answer all questions in an ADHD assessment honestly even if you're embarrassed or ashamed. The quality of the assessment and its accuracy will be influenced by how much information you provide. The doctor will also have to determine if your symptoms are due to other health issues like thyroid issues or seizures. getting an assessment for adhd will help them make the most appropriate recommendations for treatment. The specialist will also conduct a physical examination that may include tests on blood to determine the levels of certain chemical substances in the brain that could be low in people with ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents
In the adolescent period of life, symptoms of ADHD can interfere with school performance and social interaction. These issues can have a negative impact on a child's self-esteem and can cause anxiety or depression.
A trained professional can assist a child find ways to overcome the difficulties of ADHD by implementing behavioral therapy and medication. Children who suffer from ADHD who receive treatment are more successful in school and in other aspects of their lives.
Finding the right health care provider is the first step in conducting a thorough assessment of ADHD in teens. This can be accomplished by asking the child's doctor for recommendations or by looking for a specialist with expertise in treating children with ADHD. The school where the child is enrolled may have someone on staff who can assess the child or a mental health professional is recommended by a pediatrician or a family physician.
During a clinical interview, the health care specialist will inquire from the teenager about their 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 and guardians, teachers, religious leaders, coaches, and others who are in direct contact with the teenager. It's important to get accurate information from multiple sources because a symptom may show up differently in different environments.
If the teen meets the criteria for ADHD according to DSM-5, a health care provider can begin to consider 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 symptoms must be present in at least two settings, including at home, at school or at work. The symptoms must disrupt daily functioning and can't be explained by any other disorder.
In addition to a medical interview health care professionals can also conduct neuropsychological tests to assess the teen for ADHD. These tests include the Continuous Performance Test or the QbTest. These tests evaluate the capacity of teenagers to follow directions and make precise judgements, as well as keep track details. They also test the teen's reaction speed as well as the amount of head movements that he or is able to make during the test. Research suggests that objective measures improve diagnostic accuracy for ADHD more than subjective information ratings.