Diagnosing ADHD

There are several factors considered when diagnosing ADHD. The main component is a close look at how long the symptoms have been present. In most cases, they need to have been present for six months in at least three different living scenarios. For example, if the symptoms are only present at school, there may be other causes and it would need to be researched further. If the same behaviors occured at home, at school, and at sports practice, there is a better indication of ADHD and not just unwanted responses to outside stimuli.

To document this behavior, information is gathered from several sources. These may include teachers, caregivers, family members, coaches, and other individuals who work with your child on a regular basis. A pediatrician or family doctor is able to take the information provided to compare your child’s behavior with that of other children the same age. When gathering this information, be sure to provide objective, honest responses to ensure the best outcome for your child.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers guidelines for diagnosing ADHD. Following these guidelines, your pediatrician will complete the following:

  • A full physical examination
  • A thorough family history
  • A thorough medical history
  • Interview child (if appropriate for age)
  • Interview parents and family members
  • Interview teachers and/or caregivers
  • Conduct observations of child in several settings
  • Perform standardized screenings, such as NICHQ
  • Administer psychological tests to measure IQ and emotional adjustment

These steps allow the pediatrician to obtain a full picture and understanding of all factors that need to be considered. After reviewing the data from these steps, they will be able to rule out other possible causes and provide a diagnosis with treatment options for the patient.

Other Factors That Affect Behavior

At times, there are other factors in a child’s life that can create ADHD-like behaviors. Major changes in lifestyle, school, etc. can create anxiety or stress for children, which is handled in many different ways. Some examples of other factors are:

  • Divorce in the family
  • Death in the family
  • Moving
  • Thyroid problems
  • Lead toxicity
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Sleep deprivation/problems
  • Boredom
  • Low self-esteem

If it is found that a cause other than ADHD is the reason for your child’s behavior, the professionals that reviewed your case will be able to help you determine the appropriate avenue to take to seek help for your child and get them back on track.

Tests for ADHD

Although they are classified as tests for ADHD, these methods are more appropriately defined as questionnaires. There is no single test to determine if your child has ADHD. Your pediatrician or school psychologist will want to gather as much information as possible about the symptoms your child is showing and how often they occur. There are several “continual performance tests” designed to help gain an accurate picture. Here are a few of the more popular ones that you may be asked to complete as part of your child’s diagnosis:

  • NICHQ - The National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ) offers an ADHD toolkit filled with resources and questionnaires for determining if a child may be affected by ADHD. You may receive this questionnaire from either your pediatrician, school psychologist, or your child’s teacher. It will ask you to rate your child’s behavior patterns based upon the frequency of the behaviors. This is not a single determining test, but rather another way for professionals to gather information as they determine the best course of action for your child.
  • Vanderbilt Assessment - This is another questionnaire that allows professionals to better determine which symptoms are present and how frequently they occur. It is a series of questions that you will be asked to answer and return, either by your pediatrician, school psychologist, or your child’s teacher.
  • Stroop Test - This is the most common test used for determining attention problems. This test consists of tasks that require the child to focus on a particular feature while blocking out the rest. Again, this is not a deciding factor, but gives the evaluator better insight as to the child’s abilities.
  • Weschler Intelligence Scales for Children (WISC) - This test requires no reading or writing. It allows children to answer orally, and in most cases is untimed. The results of this test offer information regarding the child’s IQ, strengths, and weaknesses.
  • Connors Continuous Performance Test - This short, fourteen-minute computer test measures response time and helps psychologists to identify attention problems in children who may suffer from ADHD.

Next Steps

You have completed the evaluation and your pediatrician or other professional feels that your child does display the symptoms at a level that meets the criteria for ADHD. Now what do you do? You will need to continue your research and learn about the many treatment options that are available to you and your child. No two children are the same; what works for another may not work for your child, so choose your treatment options carefully. You will no doubt have follow-up sessions to figure out the right path to take. Here are a few options that may be offered to you:

Take time to learn about the differences that each option offers and others that may not be offered. Our site offers a wonderful resource for parents looking to better understand each type of treatment. In many cases, several options may be combined or experimented with to find the best fit for the child. It’s important to remember that treatment is not a one-time quick fix, but rather a journey of helping your child to find ways to control their impulses and function appropriately and effectively. When the right treatment is in place, everyone will breathe easier and your child will noticeably improve.