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ADHD Screening and Evaluation Screening may help a doctor determine if the symptoms are diagnostic for ADHD. They can conduct a physical exam and review medical and school documents to determine if the symptoms started in childhood. They may employ rating scales to assess the severity of symptoms. They may also interview the patient as well as those who are close to them. ADHD in Children: Assessment If you suspect that your child may have ADHD, it is important to seek out a medical professional who has experience in diagnosing the disorder. A pediatrician is a good option or a psychologist who is specialized in working with children and adolescents. psychiatry-uk adhd assessment can seek references from other parents or the staff at the school your child attends. The first step in evaluating the child's likelihood of having ADHD is to get an accurate medical history, examine old records and school performance reports, and do an examination. The physical exam will check for any health issues which may resemble ADHD symptoms, such as hearing and vision problems. Also, it will look for signs of thyroid problems, which can lead to inattentive or impulsive behavior. A psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker will interview the child and their parents. They will inquire about the child's behavior and how it has affected his or her family life, relationship with family and friends. The doctor may use rating scales to help identify symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. They will also inquire if there any allergies present in the child, particularly food allergies that can cause them to be unable to focus. The doctor will want to discuss with the child's school teacher about their schoolwork and performance. This will give a professional insight into the child's daily struggles. If the child meets all of the requirements for ADHD in DSM-IV, a diagnosis can be made. 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 is suffering from, the expert will compare their symptoms with those of children of similar age. They will also search for other conditions that might cause the same symptoms, for example, anxiety or learning disorders. Assessment of ADHD in adults If you suspect that you may have ADHD or other disorders, a test by a specialist is the best method to obtain the correct diagnosis and treatment. There are a variety of online tools that claim to help you assess ADHD symptoms however, they should never be used in lieu of an evaluation by a specialist. They are only able to offer general advice and can't consider the individual circumstances of each person. During the examination you will be asked about your current problems and how they affect your life. You'll be asked about your childhood. According to current research you are not able to be considered to have ADHD at the age of adulthood even if the symptoms did not manifest frequently in your childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). The specialist will ask for records from your school or speak to your parents, teachers, or anyone else who was familiar with you as a kid. They'll likely also ask to see any performance assessments you may have from work and copies of previous psychological tests that you may have taken. They might also request that you bring old report cards if you can find them, as these typically include comments from teachers which could reveal that you had trouble paying attention or were always moving. You might be asked to bring a relative or a partner who knows you well to be able to question them on your behavior. This is not to check your honesty, but to gather additional information from a third-party. The most important thing an expert will look for is whether you have symptoms that are affecting your daily life. For instance, this could be a case of losing your job because you can't pay attention or running into financial trouble because you're impulsive. It could be a serious problem in your relationship due to 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 equivalent 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 second version has the same items, but asks an observer to rate symptoms. Even if you're uncomfortable or embarrassed it is important to answer all the questions honestly during an ADHD assessment. The quality of the evaluation and its accuracy will be influenced by how much information you provide. The specialist will also need to determine whether your symptoms are due to another health issue like thyroid issues or seizures. This will enable them to determine the best treatment option. The specialist will also perform an examination of the body and may also conduct an examination of blood to measure levels in the brain of certain chemicals that are not present in people with ADHD. Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents ADHD symptoms can affect the performance of students and social interactions during the adolescent stage of life. These problems can have a negative effect on a child's self-esteem and can cause anxiety or depression. A qualified professional can aid a child in overcoming the difficulties of ADHD through a combination of behavioral therapy and medication. A child suffering from ADHD who is receiving treatment is often more successful at school, as well as in other areas of his or her life. Finding the right health professional is the first step to assessing ADHD in teens. Asking the child's physician for suggestions, or searching for an expert who has experience treating children with ADHD could be beneficial. A mental health professional may be available at the child's school or a pediatrician may recommend one. During a clinical interview, the health specialist will inquire from the teenager about his or her school and home life and other activities such as sports and hobbies. A complete evaluation includes information from other caregivers like parents, guardians, teachers and coaches, religious leaders and others who are in direct contact with the teenager. It's important to get accurate information from several sources since a symptom could manifest differently in different settings. If the teen is found to meet the requirements for ADHD based on DSM-5, the health care professional 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 should be present in at least two settings that include at home, at school or at work. The symptoms must impact everyday functioning and cannot be explained by other illness. In addition to a medical interview, the health care professional can use neuropsychological testing to assess the teen for ADHD. These tests can include the Continuous Performance Test or the QbTest. These tests assess the ability of teens to follow instructions and make correct judgements as well as keep track of details. The tests also test the teen's reaction speed and head movements during the test. Research suggests that objective tests improve the accuracy of diagnosing ADHD more than subjective information ratings.