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ADHD Screening and Evaluation Screening can help a doctor determine if symptoms match diagnostic criteria for ADHD. he said may do an examination of the body and review school and medical documents to determine if the symptoms started in childhood. They could utilize scales to assess the severity of symptoms. They may also interview the person and those close to them. Evaluation of ADHD in Children If you suspect that your child may have ADHD It is crucial to seek out a medical professional who has experience in diagnosing the disorder. A pediatrician is a great choice or a psychologist that is specialized in working with children and adolescents. You can seek references from other parents or from the staff at the school your child attends. The first step in evaluating the child's likelihood of having ADHD is to get a complete medical history, look over old records and school reports of performance, and take a physical exam. The physical exam will look for health conditions that could mimic ADHD symptoms. These include vision and hearing issues. It will also look for signs of thyroid illness, which can lead to inattention or impulsive behavior. A psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker will meet with the child and their parents. They will inquire about the child's behavior and how it affects their 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, especially food allergies that may make it difficult for them to concentrate. The doctor may also want to speak with the child's teachers about their schoolwork and performance. This will give an expert a good idea of the child's everyday struggles. If the child fulfills all of the requirements for ADHD in DSM-IV the 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. Experts will evaluate the symptoms of a child to the symptoms of other children of similar age to determine which subtype they have. They will also test for any other conditions that 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 professional is the best way to get the right diagnosis and treatment. Online tools claiming to assess ADHD symptoms are available, but they should never substitute for a professional assessment. They can only provide general advice and cannot be able to take into consideration the specific circumstances of each individual. During the evaluation, the doctor will inquire about your current issues and how they impact your life. They'll also inquire about your childhood experiences. According to current thinking it is not possible to be considered to have ADHD as an adult if symptoms did not appear regularly during the early years of your life (technically prior to age 12). The specialist will ask for records from your school or talk to your teachers, parents, or anyone else who knew you as a child. They'll also likely request to see any performance assessments you might have from work and copies of previous psychological tests that you may have taken. They may ask you to 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 constantly in a hurry. You may be requested to bring a friend or a partner who is familiar with you so that they can interview them about your conduct. This isn't an attempt to verify your honesty, but rather to get additional information from a reliable source. The most important thing the expert will look for is whether you suffer from issues that seriously impact your life. This could include losing your job if are impulsive, or causing financial problems if you don't concentrate. This could cause a major problem in your relationship due to your inability listen to others or to wait for your turn. Other assessments might include the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, version 1.1 or its observer-rated counterpart 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 second includes the same items and a rating scale, but requires an observer to evaluate your symptoms. It's essential to answer all of the questions on an ADHD assessment honestly even if you are embarrassed or ashamed. The quality of the assessment and its accuracy will be determined by the amount of information you provide. The doctor will also need to determine whether your symptoms are caused by other health issues, such as thyroid problems or seizures. This will help them make the best recommendation for treatment. The doctor will also conduct an examination of the body, which may include an examination of blood to assess levels in the brain of certain chemicals that are not present in those suffering from ADHD. Assessment of ADHD in Adolescents ADHD symptoms can impact the performance of students and social interactions in the adolescent phase of life. These problems can negatively impact a child's confidence and lead to depression and anxiety. A trained professional can assist a child in overcoming the problems of ADHD through 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 professional is the first step in the assessment of ADHD in teens. This can be done by asking the child's doctor for recommendations or by looking for a specialist with experience treating children with ADHD. The school of the child might have a staff member who can evaluate the child or a mental health specialist is recommended by a pediatrician or family doctor. During the clinical interview, a health care professional will talk to the teen and inquire about their school and family life, as well as other activities such as sports and hobbies. A thorough assessment includes information from other caregivers such as parents guardians, teachers, coaches, religious leaders, and others who are directly in contact with the teenager. It is crucial to obtain accurate information from several sources because a symptom may appear differently in different environments. If the teen meets the criteria for ADHD in accordance with DSM-5, a health care professional can begin to consider 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 child must show symptoms in two or more situations, including at home, at school or on the job. The symptoms must impact daily functioning and cannot be explained by any other disorder. In addition to a medical interview, the health care professional can also conduct neuropsychological tests to assess the teen for ADHD. These tests could include the Continuous Performance Test and the QbTest. These tests measure the ability of teens to follow instructions, make accurate judgments and keep track of the details. The tests also test the teen's reaction time and head movements during the test. According to studies the objective tests are more reliable in diagnosing ADHD than subjective informant ratings.