ADHD Screening and Evaluation
Screening can help a doctor determine whether symptoms match diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They may perform a physical examination and look over medical records and school records to determine if symptoms began in the early years of childhood.
They could employ scales to evaluate the severity of symptoms. They can also conduct interviews with the patient and those who are close to them.
Evaluation of ADHD in Children
If you think your child has ADHD it is essential to find a health care professional with expertise in diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A pediatrician is a great option or a psychologist that is skilled in treating children and teens. You can ask for references from other parents or the staff at the school where your child is.
The first step in assessing the child's risk of developing ADHD is to get an entire medical history, examine old records and school reports on performance, and then perform an examination. The physical exam will look for health conditions that could be similar to ADHD symptoms. These may include vision or 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 sit down with the child and their parents. They will inquire about the child's behavior and how it has affected their family life, as well as relationships with friends and family. The doctor may use rating scales to help identify symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
They will also want know if the child has any food allergies, particularly those to which they are sensitive which could make it difficult for them to concentrate. The doctor will want to speak to the child's teacher about their academic performance and schoolwork. This will provide the expert with a good overall picture of the child's everyday struggles.
If the child fulfills all of the requirements for ADHD in DSM-IV A diagnosis is possible. 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 has, the expert will compare their symptoms with those of other kids their age. They will also look for any other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, for instance anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in adults
If you think you may have ADHD and are concerned about it, a professional assessment is the best method to diagnose and treat you. Online tools claiming to assess ADHD symptoms are available, but they should never substitute for a professional evaluation. They provide general guidance and are restricted by the fact that they aren't able to take into consideration the specific circumstances of your child.
During the assessment, the specialist will ask you about your present problems and how they impact your life. They'll also inquire about your childhood experiences. It's currently thought that you cannot be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult when your symptoms weren't evident 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 had contact with you as a kid.
You'll likely be asked to bring any previous assessments of your performance and psychological tests from your work. If you find old report cards, they might ask you to bring them with you. They usually contain teacher comments that could be a sign that you were someone who was always in motion or had difficulty paying attention. You may be asked to bring a friend or a colleague who knows you well so that they can interview them about your behavior. This isn't to check your honesty, but to gather additional information from a reliable source.
The most important thing an specialist will be looking for is if you have symptoms that significantly interfere with your daily life. This could be a case of losing your job because you're not attentive or causing financial problems because you're impulsive. It could also be a serious issue in your relationship caused by your inability to wait for your turn, or having trouble listening to others.
Other tests could 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 latter includes the same items and a rating scale but requires an observer to rate your symptoms.
It is crucial 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 affected by the amount of details you provide. The doctor will determine if your symptoms are due to another health issue, such as thyroid problems or seizures. This will help them formulate the most appropriate recommendation for treatment. The specialist will also perform physical examinations, which may include the testing of blood to assess levels in the brain of specific chemicals that are in low levels in those suffering from ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in adolescents
ADHD symptoms can impact school performance and social interactions during the adolescent stage of life. These problems can have a negative effect on a child's self-esteem and can cause anxiety or depression.
A qualified professional can help children in overcoming the difficulties of ADHD through a combination of behavioral therapy and medication. Children who suffer from ADHD who receive treatment tend to do better in school and other areas of their lives.
Finding the right health professional is the first step to the assessment of ADHD in teens. The child's doctor can provide suggestions, or searching for a specialist with experience in treating children suffering from ADHD can help. The child's school may have someone on staff who can evaluate the child, or a mental health specialist can be recommended by a pediatrician, or a family physician.
During get an adhd assessment , a health care professional will speak to the teen and inquire about their school and family life, as well as other activities, such as hobbies and sports. A complete evaluation will also include information from other caregivers like parents or guardians, teachers, religious and Scout leaders, coaches and others who have direct contact with the teen. It is crucial to collect accurate information from different sources, as symptoms may appear different in different settings.
If the teenager meets the criteria for ADHD based on DSM-5, the health care provider can start 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 multiple settings, such as at home, at 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, a health professional can use neuropsychological testing to assess the teen for ADHD. These tests can include the Continuous Performance Test and the QbTest. These tests test the ability of teens to follow directions, make precise judgments and keep track of the details. They also test the speed at which a teenager responds and the amount of head movements he or is able to make during the test. According to research, objective measurements are more accurate in determining ADHD than subjective informational ratings.