Top Facts about ADHD Assessment

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a common condition impacting both adults and children. But ADHD assessment must be completed by trained professionals such as psychologists or paediatricians.

What is it?

Not all people who are impulsive, inattentive or hyperactive have ADHD. Most people, from time to time, can be forgetful and disorganised, shift from one task to another or blurt out statements unintentionally.

To judge whether a person has ADHD, it must be carefully assessed. Are they continual problems or simply a response to a temporary situation? Consider whether the impulsive behaviour occurs in a specific place like an office, school or playground or in many settings.

The behaviour of the person is compared against set criteria and features of the disorder. Such criteria appear in a manual referred to as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Version 5 (the DSM-5). Some other possible causes used for ADHD assessment which must be ruled out include medical conditions, mood problems and learning difficulties, amongst others.

Two kinds of ADHD

There are two versions of ADHD. One is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder–Predominantly Inattentive Presentation (ADHD-PIP), and the other is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder–Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation (ADHD-PHIP).

ADHD-PIP, typically called ADD, is a passive kind of ADHD where the patient usually displays distractibility, poor focus/concentration and inattention. ADHD-PHIP is commonly called ADHD and denotes an impulsive and hyperactive kind of ADHD, wherein the patient is hyperactive, restless and impulsive.

It is up to the psychologist to ask questions and administer questionnaires about aptitudes, educational history and family background. They will thus note alterations in cognitive ability (distractibility/concentration/focus/memory) to check whether ADHD is present or any related issues through cognitive assessment.

Process of diagnosis

• Initial interview

The psychologist will collect comprehensive information about the patient background via interviews with the patient. With children, the parents and teachers may also be interviewed.

• Test administration 

This will be done by a trained and registered psychologist.

• ADHD screening

Screening and a cognitive assessment will be used to measure symptoms of ADHD. Additional input may be sought from close family members, who can evaluate behavioural and cognitive history. Further assessment data might also be required by medical screening via a medical clinic or GP.

• Feedback and Results

This is the stage that explains findings and offers recommendations. It’s a time to ask questions and be clear on what is being explained. Be sure to ask if you are unsure of any information that is provided. A formal report will be produced.

The initial stage

The first stage in dealing with a child or adult with ADHD is to consult a GP. The GP will ask about the symptoms – when they began, where they occur, how they impact work or social life, recent happenings of any major event (death or divorce) and if there is a family history of ADHD. If symptoms persist for at least 10 weeks, the GP will refer the patient to a specialist for treating ADHD.

The right specialist

Either the child or adult patient may be referred to the following kinds of specialists for a formal evaluation:

• Specialist adult or child psychiatrist

• A paediatrician 

• A suitably qualified healthcare professional with expertise and training in diagnosing ADHD.

The specialist will assess ADHD in the following way:

• Physical exam to rule out other potential causes for symptoms

• A range of interviews with patient

• Reports from interviews with other important stakeholders like teachers/ parents/spouses.

Diagnosis in children and teens

ADHD is diagnosed in children on the basis of a set of strict criteria. The child should have six or more symptoms of inattentiveness, or six or more symptoms of impulsiveness and hyperactivity.

The child must have been:

• Displaying symptoms continually for a minimum of six months

• Begun symptoms before the age of 12

• Exhibiting symptoms at least in two settings (home/ school/ playground)

• Showing symptoms not accounted for by any other condition

Diagnosis in adults

Symptoms must have a moderate impact on various aspects of life, such as:

• Under-achievement in education or workplace

• Dangerous driving

• Find it tough to make or keep friends

• Find it tough to maintain relationships with partners

ADHD is diagnosed in adults with 5 or more symptoms of inattentiveness or impulsiveness, or hyperactivity listed in the criteria for diagnosis in children. Another factor in the diagnosis of ADHD in adults is to see if it can be traced back to childhood origins, so going back over historical events may be required. 

Causes of ADHD

The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, though combinations of the following factors are regarded as possible indicators:

• Genetics – ADHD runs in families

• Structure and function of the brain – differences in sizes of brains or imbalances in levels of neurotransmitters

• Risk factors: Premature birth/epilepsy/brain damage

Treatment

ADHD can be treated with a combination of medicine and therapy, it should be managed carefully by a professional and experienced clinic team for the best results.