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ADHD Screening and Evaluation A screening can help a doctor determine whether the symptoms are diagnostic for ADHD. They can perform physical examinations and review medical records and school records to determine if symptoms began in the early years of childhood. They could employ scales to evaluate the severity of symptoms. They may also interview the patient as well as those who are close to them. Assessment of ADHD in children If you suspect that your child is suffering from ADHD It is important to find a medical expert who is experienced in diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A pediatrician is an excellent option or a psychologist who is skilled in treating children and adolescents. Your child's school might have someone on staff, or you could seek out references from other parents. To assess a child's ADHD the first step is to collect a complete medical record and review old school records, and perform an exam. The physical exam will look for health conditions that could mimic ADHD symptoms. This includes vision and hearing issues. Also, it will look for signs of thyroid illness, which can trigger inattention or impulsive behavior. A psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker will interview the child and their parents. They will ask questions about how the child's behavior has affected their home life and their 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 for the child, specifically food allergies that may make it difficult for them to concentrate. The doctor will also want to speak with the child's teachers about their schoolwork and performance. This will give an expert an accurate picture of the child's everyday struggles. A diagnosis can be 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. Experts will evaluate the symptoms of a child with those of other children their age to determine which subtype they have. They will also search for other conditions that might cause the same symptoms like anxiety or learning disorders. Assessment of ADHD in Adults If you suspect you may have ADHD, a professional evaluation is the best method to diagnose and treat you. Online tools claiming to assess ADHD symptoms are available but they shouldn't substitute for a professional evaluation. They are only able to offer general advice and can't be able to take into consideration the specific circumstances of each individual. During the assessment, the specialist will ask you about your present problems and how they impact your life. They'll also inquire about your childhood experiences. According to current thinking, you cannot be deemed to have ADHD at the age of adulthood if symptoms did not appear frequently during your the early years of your life (technically prior to age 12). The doctor may request documents from your school or talk to parents, teachers or anyone who knew you as when you were a child. They'll also likely ask to see any performance evaluations you have from your job as well as copies of any previous psychological tests that you may have taken. They might also ask you to bring old report cards if they can find them, as these typically contain comments from teachers that could indicate if you were unable to focus or were constantly moving. They might also ask you to bring with you a spouse who is familiar with your life, so they can interview them about your behavior. This isn't to check your honesty, but rather to gather additional information from an independent source. The specialist will look for signs that are impacting your life. This could mean losing your job if are impulsive or getting into financial problems if you don't concentrate. It could also be a serious problem in relationships caused by your inability to wait for your turn or have trouble listening to others. Other assessments include the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (version 1.1) or its clone CAARS-L-O, which is scored 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 contains the same items, but asks an observer to rate the symptoms. It is crucial to answer all questions in an ADHD assessment honestly even if you are embarrassed or ashamed. How much information you give will influence the accuracy and validity of your evaluation. source for this article will determine if your symptoms are due to another health issue like thyroid issues or seizures. This will allow them to make the best recommendation for treatment. The specialist will also perform an examination of the body and may also conduct a test of blood to determine levels in the brain of specific chemicals that are in low levels in people suffering from ADHD. Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents In the adolescent stage of life, the signs of ADHD can affect school performance and social interaction. These issues can adversely affect children's confidence and may cause anxiety and depression. A trained professional can help a child find ways to overcome the challenges of ADHD by implementing a behavioral therapy and medication. A child who has ADHD who is receiving treatment usually performs better in school and in other aspects of his or her life. The first step in evaluating the condition of a teenager for ADHD is to locate the most appropriate health care provider. This can be done by asking the child's doctor for recommendations or by looking for a specialist who has had experience treating children suffering from ADHD. A mental health specialist may be on staff at the school where the child attends or a pediatrician can recommend one. During the interview, an expert in health care will talk to the teen, asking questions about their school and family life, as well as other activities such as sports and hobbies. A complete evaluation will also include information from other caregivers like parents or guardians teachers, religious, Scout leaders, coaches, and others who have direct contact with the teen. It's important to get accurate information from several sources because a symptom may show up differently in different environments. If the teenager meets the requirements 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 symptoms must be evident in at least two settings such as at the home, in school or at work. The symptoms must disrupt everyday functioning and cannot be explained by another disorder. In addition to a medical interview, the health care professional can also conduct neuropsychological tests to evaluate the teen's risk of ADHD. These tests can include the Continuous Performance Test and the QbTest. These tests measure the ability of teens to follow directions, make precise judgments and keep track of the details. The tests also test the teen's reaction time and head movements during the test. Research suggests that objective measures improve diagnostic accuracy for ADHD more than subjective information ratings.