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Diagnosis for ADHD

Deciding if a child has ADHD is a several step process. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, and many other problems, like anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms. ADHD, and many other problems, like anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms.
A diagnosis should be based on a complete clinical evaluation in order to provide proper treatment management.

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Oh and don't forget your sense of humor.

These subtypes include:
    * Combined Type—the most common subtype of ADHD
    * Predominantly Inattentive Type—mostly inattentive symptoms, although hyperactivity may still be a feature
    * Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type—mostly hyperactive and impulsive symptoms, although inattention
may be a feature

If ADHD is suspected, the child should be carefully screened for the condition by a health professional. Since there is
still no biological test that can identify ADHD, a series of evaluations are required to make an accurate diagnosis.

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A complete physical examination by a physician is necessary to insure the child doesn't have vision or hearing problems, eczema, allergies,
or epilepsy - all of which may have similar symptoms to ADHD.

The physician will study the child's medical history to see whether an earlier experience such as childhood disease or injury, or prenatal exposure
to toxins, may have caused ADHD. The child should also receive a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.

The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) www.psych.org/MainMenu/Research/DSMIV.aspx is used by mental health professionals to help diagnose ADHD.

A diagnosis should be based on a complete clinical evaluation in
order to provide proper treatment management. ADHD is a life
span condition that affects children, adolescents and adults of
all ages. The symptoms of ADHD can vary by subtype, patient age,
and comorbidity status. (Comorbidity is the presence of other
psychological disorders which accompany ADHD.)
For More Information On Comorbidity

These subtypes include:
    * Combined Type—the most common subtype of ADHD
    * Predominantly Inattentive Type—mostly inattentive symptoms,
       although hyperactivity may still be a feature
    * Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type mostly hyperactive
       and impulsive symptoms, although inattention may be a feature

If ADHD is suspected, the child should be carefully screened for the condition by a health professional. Since there is still no biological test that can identify ADHD, a series of evaluations are required to make an accurate diagnosis. A complete physical examination by a physician is necessary to insure the child doesn't have vision or hearing problems, eczema, allergies, or epilepsy - all of which may have similar symptoms to ADHD. The physician will study the child's medical history to see whether an earlier experience such as childhood disease or injury, or prenatal exposure to toxins, may have caused ADHD. The child should also receive a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has set in place clinical practice guidlines:
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/pediatrics;105/5/1158

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Clinical Practice Guidelines
This clinical practice guideline provides recommendations for the assessment and diagnosis of school-aged children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The guideline contains the following recommendations for diagnosis of ADHD:

   1. In a child 6 to 12 years old who presents with inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, academic underachievement, or behavior problems,
       primary care clinicians should initiate an evaluation for ADHD.
   2. The diagnosis of ADHD requires that a child meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria.
   3. The assessment of ADHD requires evidence directly obtained from parents or caregivers regarding the core symptoms of ADHD in various
       settings, the age of onset, duration of symptoms, and degree of functional impairment.
   4. The assessment of ADHD requires evidence directly obtained from the classroom teacher (or other school professional) regarding the core
       symptoms of ADHD, duration of symptoms, degree of functional impairment, and associated conditions.
   5. Evaluation of the child with ADHD should include assessment for associated (coexisting) conditions.
   6. Other diagnostic tests are not routinely indicated to establish the diagnosis of ADHD but may be used for the assessment of other coexisting
       conditions (eg, learning disabilities and mental retardation).
Diagnosing ADHD in adults can be difficult. Many adults aren’t aware that they have ADHD—they just feel challenged by everyday tasks. Some adults discover ADHD symptoms in themselves when their child is diagnosed with the disorder. Others may have struggled with symptoms in childhood, but without proper diagnosis. Studies suggest that between 30% and 70% of children with ADHD continue to have symptoms as adults.

For More Information On Adult ADHD

Diagnosis ADHD [For the purposes of simplicity we will primarily use the term ADHD (which is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). However much of the information included in this text will include ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) which is obviously not characterized by hyperactivity.

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ADHD Diagnosis

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Diagnosis for ADHD

ADHD is a life span condition that affects children, adolescents and adults of all ages. The symptoms of ADHD can vary by subtype, patient age, and comorbidity status.

(Comorbidity is the presence of other psychological disorders which accompany ADHD.) More on Comorbidity.