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ADHD Screening and Evaluation Screening can help a physician determine if symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They may perform physical examinations and look over medical records and school records to determine whether symptoms began in the early years of childhood. They may use rating scales to evaluate the severity of symptoms. They also may interview the patient and others close to them. ADHD in Children Evaluation of ADHD in Children If you suspect that your child has ADHD, it's important to find a medical professional with expertise in diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A psychologist who specializes with children and adolescents, or a pediatrician are good choices. You can request references from other parents or the staff at the school your child attends. The first step in assessing a child for ADHD is to collect an accurate medical history, review the old records and school reports of performance, and take an examination. The physical exam will search for any health issues that could mimic ADHD symptoms. These may include vision or hearing issues. Also, it will look for signs of thyroid disease, which can trigger inattention or impulsive behavior. A psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker will interview both the child and his parents. They will ask about the child's behavior and how it affects their home life, relationships with family and friends. The doctor may use rating scales to help identify symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. They will also want be aware of if the child has any allergies, especially foods that could cause them to be unable to concentrate. The doctor will also want to talk to the child's teacher about their performance and schoolwork. This will provide the expert with an overall view of the child's daily struggles. A diagnosis can be made if the child meets 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 to those of other children their age to determine which subtype they have. They will also check for any other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such anxiety or learning disorders. Assessment of ADHD in Adults If you think you might be suffering from ADHD and are concerned about it, a professional assessment is the best method to diagnose and treat you. Online tools that claim to measure ADHD symptoms are available however they shouldn't substitute for a professional assessment. They provide general guidance and are restricted by the fact they don't consider your unique situation. In an assessment, the specialist will ask you about your current issues and how they impact your life. They'll also ask about your childhood experiences. According to current thinking you are not able to be diagnosed as ADHD at the age of adulthood when symptoms didn't manifest regularly during the early years of your life (technically prior to age 12). The specialist can request records from your school or speak to teachers, parents or anyone who knew you well as a child. You'll likely be requested to bring any previous psychological tests and performance evaluations from your work. They may request that you bring old report cards if they can locate them, as they typically contain comments from teachers that might indicate whether you had trouble paying attention or were always on the go. You may be requested to bring a friend or a colleague who knows you well so that they can interview them about your conduct. This isn't an attempt to verify your honesty, but to collect additional information from a reliable source. The most crucial thing that an professional will be looking for is whether you suffer from symptoms that significantly interfere with your life. For instance, this could be a case of losing your job because you're not paying attention or running into financial trouble because of your impulsive nature. how do i get an adhd assessment could be a serious problem in your relationship because of your inability to listen to others or to wait for your turn. Other tests could include the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, version 1.1 or its observer-rated equivalent CAARS-L O. 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 observer to evaluate your symptoms. Even if you are embarrassed or ashamed, it's important to answer the questions honestly during an ADHD assessment. The amount of information you provide will affect the accuracy and validity of your evaluation. The specialist will need to determine if your symptoms may be due to another health issue like thyroid issues or seizures. This will enable them to give the best treatment recommendations. The doctor will also conduct a physical exam that could include tests on blood to determine 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 a child's confidence and result in anxiety and depression. A trained professional can assist a child find ways to overcome the difficulties of ADHD by implementing behavioral therapy and medication. Children with ADHD who are receiving treatment tend to do better in school and other areas of their lives. Finding the right health professional is the first step in the assessment of ADHD in teens. The child's doctor can provide recommendations, or looking for an expert who has experience treating children with ADHD can be helpful. The school where the child is enrolled might have a staff member who can evaluate the child or a mental health professional is recommended by a pediatrician or family physician. During the clinical interview, the health professional will speak to the teen and ask about their school and family life, as well as other activities, such as hobbies and sports. A complete evaluation includes information from other caregivers, such as parents, guardians, teachers and coaches, religious leaders, and others who are in direct contact with the teenager. It's important to get reliable information from multiple sources since a symptom could manifest differently in different environments. If the teenager meets the criteria for ADHD according to DSM-5, the health care provider can start to look into 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 present in at least two different settings such as at home, at school, or at work. The symptoms must interfere with everyday functioning and cannot be explained by any other disorder. The health care professional may also employ tests for neuropsychological disorders to assess the teen's ADHD. These tests include the Continuous Performance Test or the QbTest. These tests assess the ability of teenagers to follow directions and make correct judgements as well as keep track of information. The tests also assess the teen's reaction speed and head movements during the test. Research suggests that objective measures improve the accuracy of diagnosis for ADHD more than subjective informant ratings.