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ADHD Screening and Evaluation Screening may help a doctor determine if symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They can conduct a physical exam and review school and medical records to determine if the symptoms started in childhood. They may employ rating scales to evaluate the severity of symptoms. They can also conduct interviews with the person and those close to them. Assessment of ADHD in children If you suspect your child has ADHD, it's important to find a health care expert who is experienced in diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A pediatrician is a good option or a psychologist that is skilled in treating children and teens. You can ask for references from other parents or from the staff at the school your child attends. To determine whether a child is suffering from ADHD, the first step is to obtain an accurate medical record and review old school records, then conduct an examination. The physical exam will check for certain health conditions which may resemble ADHD symptoms, such as hearing and vision problems. It will also look for signs of thyroid illness, which can lead to inattention or impulsive behavior. A psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker will sit down with the child and their parents. They will ask questions about how the child's behavior has affected their lives at home and their relationships with family and friends. The doctor may use rating scales to help identify symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. They should also find out if the child suffers from any food allergies, specifically foods which could cause them to be unable to concentrate. The doctor will also want to talk to the child's teacher about their schoolwork and performance. This will give the expert an overall picture of the child's daily struggles. how to get an adhd assessment 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. To determine which type of ADHD a child is suffering from, the expert will compare their symptoms to those of children similar to their age. They will also test for other conditions which may cause similar symptoms, for instance anxiety or learning disorders. Assessment of ADHD in adults If you suspect you have ADHD, an evaluation by a qualified professional is the best way to receive the right diagnosis and treatment. There are a variety of online tools that claim to evaluate ADHD symptoms, but these tools should never be used in lieu of an evaluation by a specialist. They are only able to give general advice and do not be able to take into consideration the specific circumstances of each person. During the assessment, you will be asked about your current issues and their impact on your life. They'll also ask about your childhood experiences. According to current research it is not possible to be diagnosed as ADHD at the age of adulthood if symptoms did not appear frequently during your childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). The doctor will request records from your school or talk to your parents, teachers or anyone else who was familiar with you as a child. They'll also likely request 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 you are able to locate them, as they often include teacher comments that might indicate whether you were unable to focus or were constantly moving. They might also ask you to bring with you a spouse who knows you well, so they can interview them about your behavior. This isn't an attempt to verify your honesty, but to collect additional information from an independent source. The most crucial thing that an professional will be looking for is whether you suffer from issues that seriously impact your daily life. This could mean losing your job if are impulsive, or causing financial problems if you don't focus. 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 tests include the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (version 1.1) or its counterpart 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. The latter includes the same items and rating scale, but requires an observer to evaluate your symptoms. It is essential to answer all of the questions on an ADHD assessment honestly even if you are embarrassed or ashamed. How much information you give will affect the accuracy and validity of your assessment. The specialist will need to determine if your symptoms may be due to another health issue like thyroid issues or seizures. This will help them determine the best treatment option. The doctor will also conduct a physical examination that may include an examination of blood to measure levels in the brain of specific chemicals that are in low levels in people with ADHD. Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents In the adolescent stage of life, the signs of ADHD can interfere with school performance and social interaction. These issues can adversely affect a child's confidence and cause anxiety and depression. A trained professional can assist an individual child overcome the problems of ADHD by using behavioral therapy and medication. A child suffering from ADHD who is receiving treatment often performs better at school, as well as in other areas of their life. Finding the right health professional is the first step in assessing ADHD in teens. This can be done by asking the child's doctor for recommendations or by looking for a specialist who has experience treating children with ADHD. A mental health specialist could be available at the child's school or a pediatrician could recommend one. During the interview, the health professional will meet with the teen, asking questions about their school and home lives, as well other activities, such as hobbies and sports. A thorough assessment includes information from other caregivers like parents guardians, teachers, coaches, religious leaders and others who are in direct contact with the teenager. It is essential to collect accurate information from different sources, since a symptom can appear differently in different settings. If the child meets DSM-5 criteria for ADHD, the health professional can begin 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 person must have the symptoms in multiple situations, including at home and at school or on the job. The symptoms must impact the daily activities of the person and cannot be explained by other illness. The health care professional may also conduct neuropsychological tests to determine the teen's ADHD. These tests can include the Continuous Performance Test or the QbTest. These tests assess the ability of a teenager to follow instructions as well as make accurate judgements and keep track of the details. The tests also assess 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.