ADHD Screening and Evaluation
Screening may help a doctor determine if symptoms match diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They may do an exam of the body and look over medical and school documents to determine if the symptoms started in the early years of childhood.
They can employ scales to evaluate the severity of symptoms. They may also interview the patient and those who are close to them.
Evaluation of ADHD in children
If you suspect your child has ADHD it is essential to find a medical professional with expertise in diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A psychologist who is specialized in children and adolescents, or a pediatrician are good choices. The school where your child attends may have a psychologist on staff, or you can request references from other parents.
The first step in assessing the child's risk of developing ADHD is to obtain an accurate medical history, review the old records and school performance reports, and do physical 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 psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker will talk to both the child and his parents. They will ask about the child's behavior and how it affects their family life, as well as relationships with family and friends. The doctor may use rating scales to help identify symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
They will also ask if there any allergies present in the child, particularly food allergies that can make it difficult for them to concentrate. The doctor will also want to talk to the teacher about the child's schoolwork and performance. This will give the expert a good overall picture of the child's daily 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 type of ADHD a child has the specialist will compare their symptoms with those of children their age. They will also search for other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in Adults
If you suspect ADHD, an evaluation by a qualified professional is the best way to receive the right diagnosis and treatment. There are many online tools that claim to assess ADHD symptoms, but these tools are not meant to be used in lieu of a professional assessment. They offer general guidelines and are restricted by the fact that they can't take into account your individual situation.
During the examination you will be asked about your current issues and how they affect your life. They'll also inquire about your childhood experiences. It's believed that you won't be diagnosed with ADHD at the age of adulthood even if your symptoms did not manifest regularly during childhood (technically before the age of 12). The specialist can request records from school or ask to talk to parents, teachers or anyone who knew you well as an infant.
They'll also likely ask to see any performance assessments you might have from work as well as copies of any previous psychological tests you may have taken. They might request that you bring old report cards if you are able to find them, as these typically contain comments from teachers that might indicate whether you had trouble paying attention or were always on the go. They might also ask you to bring with you a significant other who knows you well and they will be able to question them about your behavior. This isn't a way to verify your honesty, but to gather additional information from a reliable source.
The specialist will look for signs that are impacting your life. This could mean losing your job due to the fact that you can't pay attention 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 difficulty listening to others.
Other assessments include the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (version 1.1) or its equivalent 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. adhd assessment for women contains the same items, but asks an observer to rate symptoms.
Even if you're embarrassed or ashamed it is important to answer the questions honestly in an ADHD assessment. The quality of the assessment and its accuracy will be affected by how much details you provide. The specialist will also need to determine whether your symptoms are due to another health issue, such as thyroid problems or seizures. This will help them make the most appropriate recommendations for treatment. The doctor will also conduct a physical examination that may include a test of blood to assess levels in the brain of specific chemicals that are not present in those suffering from ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents
ADHD symptoms can affect the performance of students and social interactions in the adolescent stage of life. These problems can have a negative impact on a child's self-esteem and can cause anxiety or depression.
A qualified professional can aid children in overcoming the challenges of ADHD through behavioral therapy and medication. Children with ADHD who receive treatment tend to perform better in school, as well as other areas of their lives.
The first step in evaluating the condition of a teenager for ADHD is to locate the most appropriate health care provider. This can be accomplished by contacting the child's doctor for recommendations or by looking for a specialist with expertise in treating children with ADHD. The school of the child may have an employee who can evaluate the child, or a mental health specialist is recommended by a pediatrician or a family physician.
In a clinic interview, the health care specialist will inquire from the teenager about his or her school and home life, as well as other activities like 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 are in direct contact with the teen. It's important to get accurate information from multiple sources since a symptom could appear differently in different environments.
If the teen meets the requirements for ADHD in accordance with 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 symptoms must be evident in at least two different settings such as at the home, in school or at work. The symptoms must be disruptive to everyday functioning and cannot be explained by a different disorder.
The health care professional may also use tests for neuropsychological disorders to assess the teenager's ADHD. These tests can include the Continuous Performance Test or the QbTest. These tests evaluate the capacity of teens to follow instructions, make accurate judgements and keep track 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 measures improve diagnostic accuracy for ADHD more than subjective information ratings.