20 Things You Need To Know About Assessment ADHD
ADHD Screening and Evaluation
A screening can help a doctor determine whether the symptoms are diagnostic for ADHD. They can conduct an examination of the body and review school and medical records to find out if the symptoms started in childhood.
They may use rating scales to evaluate the severity of symptoms. They can also interview the patient as well as those who are close to them.
ADHD in Children: Assessment
If you suspect your child may have ADHD it is essential to find a health care specialist who is skilled in diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A psychologist that specializes in children and adolescents, or a pediatrician are excellent options. The school you attend may have a psychologist on staff, or you could ask other parents for references.
To assess a child's ADHD, the first step is to collect the complete medical history, review old school records, and perform a physical examination. The physical exam will look for certain health conditions which may resemble ADHD symptoms, such as hearing and vision problems. It will also check for symptoms of thyroid disease which can cause inattentive or impulsive behavior.
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker will meet with both the child and his parents. They will inquire about how the child's behavior affected their family life and relationships with family members and their friends. The doctor may use rating scales to help identify symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
They will also inquire if there are any allergies in the child, especially food allergies that may make it difficult for them to focus. The doctor will also want to talk to the child's teachers about their work and performance. This will give an expert a good idea of 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. To determine the type of ADHD a child is suffering from the doctor will assess their symptoms to the symptoms of other children their age. They will also test for any other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, for instance anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in adults
If you suspect that you may have ADHD and want to know more, an assessment by a specialist is the best way to receive the right diagnosis and treatment. Online tools that claim to measure ADHD symptoms are available however they shouldn't substitute for a professional evaluation. They provide general guidance and are restricted by the fact that they don't consider your individual situation.
During an assessment, the doctor will inquire about your present problems and how they affect your life. They'll also ask about your childhood experiences. It's currently thought that you aren't diagnosed with ADHD at the age of adulthood even if your symptoms did not manifest regularly during childhood (technically before age 12). The doctor may request documents from school or ask to talk to parents, teachers or anyone else who knew you well as when you were a child.
They'll likely also ask to see any performance evaluations you might have from work as well as copies of any previous psychological tests that you may have taken. If you have old report cards, they might ask you to bring them with you. They often include teacher remarks that can be a sign that you were someone who was always on the move or was unable to focus. They might request that you bring with you a significant other who is familiar with your life, so they can interview them about your conduct. This is not to check your honesty, but to get additional information from a third-party.
The expert will be looking for signs that are impacting your life. This could mean losing your job if you are impulsive, or causing financial trouble if you are unable to focus. It could also be a serious relationship problem due to your inability to wait for your turn or difficulty listening to other people.
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 has the same items and a rating scale, but requires an individual to rate your symptoms.
Even if you're uncomfortable or embarrassed, it's important to answer all the questions honestly during an ADHD assessment. The quality of the assessment and its accuracy will be affected by the amount of information you provide. The doctor will also have to determine whether your symptoms are caused by other health issues like thyroid issues or seizures. This will enable them to make the best treatment recommendation. The specialist will also perform a physical examination that may include the testing of blood to assess levels in the brain of specific chemicals that are low in those suffering from ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents
In the adolescent period of life, the signs of ADHD can interfere with school performance and social interaction. These problems can have a negative impact on self-esteem of children and lead to depression or anxiety.
A trained professional can assist an individual child overcome the difficulties of ADHD through behavioral therapy and medication. A child suffering from ADHD who receives treatment usually performs better in school, as well as in other areas of their lives.
Finding the right health care provider is the first step in conducting a thorough assessment of ADHD in teenagers. Asking the child's doctor for recommendations, or seeking a specialist with experience in treating children with ADHD could be beneficial. The school where the child is enrolled may have an employee who can evaluate the child or a mental health specialist can be recommended by a pediatrician or a family physician.
During a clinical interview, the health care specialist will inquire from the teenager about his or her school and home life and other activities like hobbies and sports. A thorough assessment includes information from other caregivers, such as parents guardians, teachers, religious leaders, coaches, and others who are in direct contact with the teenager. It's important to gather accurate information from different sources, as a symptom may appear different in different environments.
If the teen meets the criteria 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 multiple situations, including at home, in school or at work. The symptoms must interfere with the daily activities of the person and cannot be explained by other condition.
In addition to a clinical interview, the health care professional can also conduct neuropsychological tests to evaluate the teen's risk of ADHD. These tests include the Continuous Performance Test or the QbTest. These tests measure the ability of a teenager to follow instructions, make accurate judgments and keep track of details. They also assess the speed at which a teenager responds and the amount of head movements he or performs during the test. Research suggests that objective tests improve the accuracy of diagnosis for ADHD more than subjective ratings from informants.