ADHD Screening and Evaluation
A screening can aid a doctor in determining whether symptoms fit the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They can perform physical examinations and review medical documents and school records to determine whether symptoms began in the early years of childhood.
They may utilize scales to assess the severity of symptoms. They may also interview the person and those close to them.
ADHD in Children: Assessment
If you suspect that your child might have ADHD, it is important to seek out a medical professional who has experience in diagnosing the disorder. A psychologist that specializes in children and adolescents, or a pediatrician are excellent options. The school you attend may have someone on staff, or you could ask other parents for references.
The first step to evaluate the child's likelihood of having ADHD is to collect an entire medical history, review old school records and performance reports, and do physical examination. The physical exam will look for any health issues that could be similar to ADHD symptoms. These include vision and hearing problems. Read Much more will also check for signs of thyroid problems, which can lead to uncontrollable or impulsive behavior.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker will talk to both the child and his parents. They will inquire about the child's behavior and how it has affected his or her 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 inquire whether there any allergies present in the child, particularly food allergies that could make it difficult for them to focus. The doctor will want to talk to the child's teacher about their performance and schoolwork. This will give the doctor a an overall picture of the child's everyday struggles.
A diagnosis can be determined if the child fulfills 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 has, the expert will compare their symptoms with the symptoms of other children their age. They will also check for any other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in Adults
If you suspect you might 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 however they shouldn't substitute for 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 challenges and how they affect your life. You'll be asked about your childhood. It's believed that you cannot be diagnosed with ADHD at the age of adulthood when your symptoms weren't evident regularly during childhood (technically before the age of 12). The specialist can request records from the school or talk to your parents, teachers or anyone else who knew you well as an infant.
They'll also likely ask to see any performance evaluations you may have from work and copies of previous psychological tests you may have taken. They may ask you to bring back old report cards if you can find them, since they typically contain comments from teachers which could reveal that you struggled to pay attention or were constantly on the go. You may be asked to bring a friend or a partner who is familiar with you so that they can interview them about your conduct. This is not a way to verify your honesty, but rather to gather additional information from a third-party.
The professional will be looking for signs that are impacting your life. This could include losing your job because you're not attentive or running into financial trouble because you're impulsive. It could also be a serious problem in relationships caused by your inability 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 second version has the same items, but requires an observer to rate symptoms.
Even if you're embarrassed or embarrassed, it's important to answer the questions honestly in an ADHD assessment. The validity of the test and its accuracy will be determined by the amount of information you give. The doctor will determine if your symptoms are due to another health issue, such as thyroid problems or seizures. This will allow them to make the best treatment recommendation. The doctor will also conduct a physical examination, which may include an examination of blood to determine 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 affect the performance of students and social interactions in the adolescent stage of life. These issues can affect a child's confidence and result in anxiety and depression.
A qualified professional can aid an individual child overcome the challenges of ADHD through a combination of behavioral therapy and medication. A child suffering from ADHD who receives treatment is often more successful at school, as well as in other areas of his or her life.
Finding the right health care provider is the first step to the assessment of ADHD in teens. This can be done by contacting the child's doctor for recommendations or by looking for a specialist with experience treating children with ADHD. A mental health specialist could be available at the child's school or a pediatrician may suggest one.
During the clinical interview the health professional will meet with the teen and inquire about their school and family lives, in addition to other activities like hobbies and sports. A thorough evaluation will include information from other caregivers like parents, guardians, teachers and coaches, religious leaders and others who are directly in contact with the teenager. It is important to collect reliable information from multiple sources as a sign of a disorder could manifest differently in different settings.
If the teen meets DSM-5 criteria for ADHD, the health care provider can 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 symptoms must be present in at least two environments, including at the home, in school or at work. The symptoms must be disruptive to daily functioning and can't be explained by another disorder.
The health professional could also employ neuropsychological tests to determine the teen's ADHD. Read Much more could include the Continuous Performance Test and the QbTest. These tests evaluate the capacity of teens to follow instructions and make precise judgements, as well as keep track of details. They also assess the teen's reaction speed as well as the amount of head movements he or performs during the test. Research suggests that objective measures improve diagnostic accuracy for ADHD more than subjective informant ratings.