ADHD Screening

Thorough screening is especially important when gathering attention deficit hyperactivity disorder information to determine a diagnosis because there are many other conditions that have similar symptoms. You want to be sure before going ahead with any type of ADHD treatments, such as medication.

How is ADHD diagnosed? This can vary depending on the individual conducting the evaluation, but in general after the screening a child must meet the criteria as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuals for Mental Disorders- Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). These symptoms include impulsive behavior, selective attention, excessive talking, and evidence of a child behavior problem.

Diagnosing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• Interviews with parents, other family members, teachers, and caregivers that know the child

• ADHD Screening Checklist - A checklist provides a criteria for physicians to use that indicate whether the child has signs of ADHD.

• Additional checklists, such as the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist. This checklist allows parents and others that know the child to participate in the screening by rating specific problem behaviors, social challenges, competencies and emotional functioning. Standardized scores are used to determine if the child is having clinically significant problems.

• ADHD test – When a child is evaluated, there may also be computerized tests that assess the child’s ability to pay attention.

• Behavior rating scales, such as the Conners Rating Scale - Revised, which is used for a routine screening in schools, mental health clinics, residential treatment centers, pediatric offices, juvenile detention facilities, child protective agencies, and outpatient settings. The test helps to⁽¹⁾:

- Measure hyperactivity in children and adolescents
- Give a perspective of the child’s behavior from those who interact with the child on a daily basis
- Establish a baseline of symptoms prior to starting any therapy and monitor treatment effectiveness with changes over time.

ADHD Misdiagnosis

• Causes of ADHD
• ADHD Treatments
• Diet for ADHD

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References