Types of ADHD Testing

Types of ADHD Testing

Acquiring an ADHD diagnosis is a monumental milestone for you or your child. Knowing the truth can give both of you great hope, as well as help find treatments that work best for each individual.

The initial step in diagnosing ADHD is scheduling an evaluation with a specialist. Your doctor can suggest either consulting with a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD, or you could ask your insurance company for assistance.

In addition to a medical history and physical examination, the evaluation will likely include standardized behavioral rating scales that assess timing and impulsivity symptoms. These tools help the doctor decide if someone is showing typical ADHD signs.

Tests that may be employed in an evaluation include various academic tests, psychological testing and neuropsychological testing. These assessments measure a person’s focus, attention span, ability to work under duress, quick thinking under pressure, capacity for new information processing and planning ahead.

Testing will also take into account a person’s family and social history. The doctor wants to know if there are any underlying conditions that could be contributing to symptoms like learning disabilities, depression or anxiety.

Based on the outcome of an evaluation, treatment may include either medication or therapy. In many cases, these treatments are combined.