ADHD Screening and Evaluation
A screening can help a doctor determine whether the symptoms are diagnostic for ADHD. They can conduct a physical exam and review school and medical records to find out if the symptoms started in childhood.
They may utilize scales to assess the severity of symptoms. They can also interview the patient as well as those who are close to them.
Assessment of ADHD in children
If you suspect your child is suffering from ADHD It is important to find a medical specialist who is skilled in diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A psychologist that specializes in children and adolescents, or a pediatrician are good choices. You can request references from other parents or staff at your child's school.
The first step in evaluating the child's likelihood of having ADHD is to get an accurate medical history, review old records and school reports on performance, and then perform physical examination. The physical exam will look for health conditions that may be similar to ADHD symptoms. This includes vision and hearing problems. Also, it will look for signs of thyroid problems which can cause an inattention or impulsive behavior.
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker will interview the child and their parents. They will inquire about the child's behavior and how it has affected his or her home life, relationships with friends and family. The doctor may use rating scales to help identify symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
They will also inquire whether there any allergies present in the child, particularly food allergies that may make it difficult for them to concentrate. The doctor will want to speak to the child's teacher about their performance and schoolwork. This will give the expert an overall picture of the child's everyday struggles.
If the child fulfills all 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. 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 which may cause similar symptoms, like anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in Adults
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, a professional evaluation is the best way to determine and treat you. There are a variety of online tools that claim to help you assess ADHD symptoms however, these tools are not meant to be used in place of an evaluation by a specialist. They offer general guidelines and are limited by the fact that they don't consider your individual situation.
During an assessment, the specialist will inquire about your present problems and how they impact your life. They'll also ask about your childhood experiences. According to current thinking, you cannot be diagnosed as ADHD as an adult if symptoms did not appear frequently in your childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). The specialist can request records from the school or talk to your parents, teachers or anyone who was familiar with you as 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. They might request that you bring old report cards if they can find them, since they typically contain comments from teachers that might indicate whether you struggled to pay attention or were constantly moving. You may be asked to bring a relative or a colleague who is familiar with you to be able to question them about your behavior. This isn't an attempt to verify your honesty, but to gather additional information from a reliable source.
The expert will be looking for signs that could be affecting your life. This could be a case of losing your job because you're not paying attention or running into financial trouble because you're impulsive. It could also be a serious problem in relationships due to your inability to wait for your turn, or having trouble listening to others.
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 ratings scale, but requires an individual to rate your symptoms.
Even if you're uncomfortable or embarrassed, it's important to answer all questions honestly during an ADHD assessment. The amount of information you provide will impact the accuracy and quality of your assessment. The doctor will also need to determine whether your symptoms are due to another health issue, such as thyroid problems or seizures. This will allow them to give the best treatment recommendations. The doctor will also conduct a physical examination that could include tests on blood to determine the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that could be insufficient in people suffering from ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in adolescents
ADHD symptoms can impact school performance and social interactions in the adolescent phase of life. These issues can affect the confidence of a child and can result in anxiety and depression.
A trained professional can assist an individual child overcome the difficulties of ADHD through behavioral therapy and medication. Children with ADHD who are receiving treatment are more successful in school, as well as other areas of their lives.
The first step in evaluating a teen for ADHD is to find the most appropriate health care provider. This can be accomplished by asking the child's doctor for recommendations or searching for a specialist who has experience treating children with ADHD. A mental health specialist may be available at the school where the child is enrolled or a pediatrician can suggest one.
In a clinic interview, the health care professional will inquire with the teenager about his or her home and school life, as well as other activities like hobbies and sports. A complete assessment will include information from other caregivers, like parents or guardians, teachers, religious and scout leaders, coaches and others who are in direct contact with the teen. It's important to gather accurate information from various sources, as symptoms can be different in different environments.
If the teen is in line with DSM-5 criteria for ADHD The health care provider may begin to consider a diagnoses. 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 two or more environments, like at home and at school or on the job. The symptoms must be disruptive to everyday functioning and cannot be explained by another disorder.
In addition to a clinical interview health care professionals 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 evaluate the capacity of teenagers to follow directions, make accurate judgements and keep track of details. The tests also measure the speed at which a teenager reacts and head movements during the test. adhd assessment uk suggests that objective tests improve the accuracy of diagnosis for ADHD more than subjective information ratings.