ADHD Screening and Evaluation
Screening may help a doctor determine if the symptoms match diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They can perform physical examinations and look over medical records and school records to determine if symptoms began in the early years of childhood.
They could utilize scales to assess the severity of symptoms. They may also interview the patient and others close to them.
ADHD in Children Evaluation of ADHD in Children
If you suspect that your child might have ADHD It is essential to seek out a medical professional with experience diagnosing the disorder. A pediatrician is a good option or a psychologist that specializes in children and adolescents. The school you attend may have someone on staff, or you could ask other parents for references.
To assess a child's ADHD, the first step is to obtain an accurate medical record, review old school records, and then perform physical exam. The physical exam will look for health conditions that could mimic ADHD symptoms. These include vision and hearing problems. It will also check for signs of thyroid problems, which can lead to inattentive or impulsive behavior.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker will meet with both the child and his parents. They will ask about the child's behavior and how it affects their family life, relationship 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, especially food allergies that could cause them to be unable to concentrate. The doctor may also want to talk to the teacher about the child's schoolwork and performance. This will give an expert a good idea of the child's struggles every day.
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. Experts will evaluate the symptoms of a child with those of other children their age to determine what type they are suffering from. They will also search for other conditions that could cause the same symptoms, for example, anxiety or learning disorders.
Assessment of ADHD in Adults
If you suspect you might be suffering from ADHD an evaluation by a professional is the best method to diagnose and treat you. Online tools that claim to measure ADHD symptoms are available however they shouldn't replace a professional assessment. They are only able to give general advice and do not consider the individual circumstances of each person.
During the examination you will be asked about your current problems and the impact they have on your life. They'll also inquire about your childhood experiences. According to current thinking, you cannot be considered to have ADHD at the age of adulthood when symptoms didn't manifest frequently during your the early years of your life (technically prior to the age of 12). The doctor will request documents from your school or to speak to your parents, teachers or anyone else who had contact with you as a child.
They'll likely also ask to see any performance reviews you have from your job as well as copies of any previous psychological tests that you may have taken. They may ask you to bring back old report cards if you are able to locate them, as they typically contain comments from teachers that could indicate if you struggled to pay attention or were always on the go. You might be asked to bring a relative or a partner who is familiar with you so that they can interview them on your behavior. This is not to verify your honesty, but rather to get additional information from a third party.
The most crucial thing that an expert will look for is whether you have symptoms that significantly interfere with your life. This could mean losing your job if are easily distracted or falling into financial trouble if you are unable to concentrate. Read Much more could be a significant issue in your relationship because of your inability to listen to others or to wait for your turn.
Other assessments include the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (version 1.1) or its counterpart 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 includes the same items and a rating scale but requires an observer to assess your symptoms.
Even if you are embarrassed or ashamed it is important to answer all questions honestly during an ADHD assessment. The quality of the evaluation and its accuracy will be affected by the amount of information you give. The specialist will also need to determine whether your symptoms are due to other health issues such as thyroid issues or seizures. This will allow them to make the most appropriate recommendation for treatment. The specialist will also conduct a physical examination, which may include a blood test to measure levels of certain chemicals in the brain, which could be low in people with ADHD.
Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents
ADHD symptoms can impact school performance and social interactions in the adolescent years. These problems can have a negative effect on a child's self-esteem, and cause anxiety or depression.
A qualified professional can aid an individual child overcome the difficulties of ADHD through a combination of behavioral therapy and medication. Children with ADHD who receive treatment are more successful in school and in other aspects of their lives.
Finding the right health care provider is the first step to conducting a thorough assessment of ADHD in teens. The child's doctor can provide suggestions, or searching for an expert who has experience treating children suffering from ADHD can be helpful. The child's school may have someone on staff who can assess the child, or a mental health specialist is recommended by a pediatrician or a family doctor.
During the clinical interview an expert in health care will talk to the teen, asking questions about their school and family lives, as well other activities like sports and hobbies. A complete evaluation includes information from other caregivers, such as parents, guardians, teachers and religious leaders, coaches, and others who are directly in contact with the teenager. It's important to get reliable information from multiple sources because a symptom may appear differently in different settings.
If the teen is found to meet the requirements for ADHD based on DSM-5, a health care provider can start to think about 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 two or more environments, like at home, in school or at work. The symptoms must impact everyday functioning and cannot be explained by other condition.
The health care provider may also use neuropsychological tests to test the teen's ADHD. These tests can include the Continuous Performance Test or the QbTest. These tests test the ability of teens to follow instructions, make accurate judgments and keep track of details. The tests also assess the speed at which a teenager reacts and head movements during the test. Research suggests that objective measures improve the accuracy of diagnosing ADHD more than subjective informant ratings.
