ADHD
Comprehensive Assessment of ADHD in Children
National Resource Center on ADHD
www.help4adhd.org
Establishing an ADHD diagnosis would seem to be a relatively straightforward matter. You simply use whatever means necessary to gather information that allows you to address the DSM diagnostic criteria of ADHD, and then decide whether ADHD is present or not. Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple. ADHD is a condition whose symptoms may or may not be present, depending on the situation (also known as situational variability). Therefore, it is imperative to obtain information from individuals who observe a child across different settings. At the very least, this should include input from parents and teachers. Another critical factor affecting the evaluation process is the increased likelihood that children with ADHD will display secondary or co-occurring problems (i.e., depression, anxiety, etc). Whether alone or in combination with various other conditions, ADHD can also have a significant impact on family functioning.
Given that the problems of children with ADHD very often go beyond the disorder itself, any assessment of this condition should address not only primary ADHD symptoms, but also other aspects of the child's behavioral, emotional and social functioning. Equally important is the need for gathering information about the child's parents and siblings, which provides a context for understanding how problem behaviors manifest. This information also often serves as a basis for determining how well parents and other caretakers will be able to implement treatment strategies.
The clinical evaluations of ADHD must be comprehensive and multidimensional in nature, so as to capture its situational variability, its associated features, and its impact on home, school, and social functioning. This multi-method assessment approach should include:
National Resource Center on ADHD
www.help4adhd.org
Establishing an ADHD diagnosis would seem to be a relatively straightforward matter. You simply use whatever means necessary to gather information that allows you to address the DSM diagnostic criteria of ADHD, and then decide whether ADHD is present or not. Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple. ADHD is a condition whose symptoms may or may not be present, depending on the situation (also known as situational variability). Therefore, it is imperative to obtain information from individuals who observe a child across different settings. At the very least, this should include input from parents and teachers. Another critical factor affecting the evaluation process is the increased likelihood that children with ADHD will display secondary or co-occurring problems (i.e., depression, anxiety, etc). Whether alone or in combination with various other conditions, ADHD can also have a significant impact on family functioning.
Given that the problems of children with ADHD very often go beyond the disorder itself, any assessment of this condition should address not only primary ADHD symptoms, but also other aspects of the child's behavioral, emotional and social functioning. Equally important is the need for gathering information about the child's parents and siblings, which provides a context for understanding how problem behaviors manifest. This information also often serves as a basis for determining how well parents and other caretakers will be able to implement treatment strategies.
The clinical evaluations of ADHD must be comprehensive and multidimensional in nature, so as to capture its situational variability, its associated features, and its impact on home, school, and social functioning. This multi-method assessment approach should include:
- parent and child interviews
- parent- and teacher-completed child behavior rating scales
- parent self-report measures
- clinic-based psychological tests
- review of prior school and medical records
- individually administered intelligence testing, educational achievement testing, or screening for learning disabilities (only necessary if not completed within the past year
- a standard pediatric examination or neurodevelopmental screening to rule out any unusual medical conditions that might produce ADHD-like symptoms
- additional assessment procedures may be recommended, including vision and hearing screening, as well as formal speech and language assessment.