ADHD

ADHD Screening

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) used to be called ADD (attention-deficit disorder) is a common behavioral disorder that can affect how you think, process emotions, and respond to your environment. Though this condition is commonly associated with diagnosis among children and teens, it is diagnosed in adults too. ADHD lasts into adulthood for at least one-third of children with ADHD, but the early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

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50 minutes
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DETAILS

ADHD looks different for everyone experiencing it, ranging from symptoms of inattention to symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. These determine the type of ADHD you might have and differ for children and adults. Only a mental health professional or psychiatrist can accurately diagnose ADHD and its type, and if needed, recommend a treatment plan.

Learn about the assessment

Symptoms of inattention
• Often fails to give close attention to detail or makes mistakes
• Often has difficulty sustaining attention while completing tasks or partaking in activities
• Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
• Often does not follow through with instructions and fails to finish schoolwork or workplace duties
• Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
• Often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
• Loses materials necessary for tasks or activities
• Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuliIs often forgetful in daily activities
Symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity
• Often fidgets with or taps hands and feet, or squirms in seat
• Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected
• Often unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly
• Often runs and climbs in situations where it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to feeling restless)
• Is often “on the go,” acting as if “driven by a motor”
• Often blurts out answers before a question has been completed
• Often has difficulty waiting their turn
• Often interrupts or intrudes on others
• Often talks excessively
Source: DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD, CDC

How does the assessment look like?

If you know what to expect, the process for evaluating ADHD isn’t confusing or scary.

There is no single medical, physical, or genetic test to diagnose ADHD. A diagnostic evaluation is provided by a qualified mental health care professional or physician who gathers information from multiple sources, as ADHD cannot be diagnosed accurately just from brief office observations or simply by talking to the person, as the person may not always exhibit the symptoms of ADHD during the office visit, and the diagnostician needs to take a thorough history of the individual’s life, as it must include consideration of the possible presence of co-occurring conditions.

ADHD looks different in every person, so there is a wide array of criteria to help health professionals reach a diagnosis. Screening usually involves several steps, including:

1. Administer ADHD tests, such as symptom checklists and attention-span tests.

2. Interviews or questionnaires with people who interact regularly with your child. These may include family members, teachers, coaches, and babysitters. Talk to family members or someone close to you about your symptoms.

3. A physical exam to find out if a different type of disorder is causing symptoms. as many other problems, like sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms. Give you a medical exam to rule out other physical causes for the symptom

4. Psychological tests. These tests measure thinking and intelligence.

5. Behavioral tests. These are written tests designed to measure a child's behavior compared with the behavior of other children the same age.

6. An interview. You or your child will be asked about behavior and activity level:

- How severe are the symptoms? To be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must have a negative impact on you or your child’s life. In general, people who truly have ADHD have major problems in one or more areas of their life, such as their career, finances, or family responsibilities.

- When did the symptoms start? Since ADHD starts in childhood, the doctor or therapist will look at how early the symptoms appeared. If you are an adult, can you trace the symptoms back to your childhood?

- How long have the symptoms been bothering you or your child? Symptoms must have been going on for at least 6 months before ADHD can be diagnosed. Ask you about your symptoms, including how long they’ve been bothering you and any problems they’ve caused in the past.

- When and where do the symptoms appear? The symptoms of ADHD must be present in multiple settings, such as at home and school. If the symptoms only appear in one environment, it is unlikely that ADHD is to blame.

It is important to be open and honest with the specialist conducting your evaluation so that they can reach the most accurate conclusion.

For whom is the ADHD screening?

If you have significant problems with any of the following categories, you may want to get evaluated for ADHD:

• Job or career: losing or quitting jobs frequently

• Work or school: not performing up to your capacity or ability
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• Day-to-day tasks: inability to do household chores, pay bills on time, organize things
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• Relationships: forgetting important things, having difficulty completing tasks, getting upset over minor issues
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• Emotions: experiencing ongoing stress and worry because you don’t meet goals or fulfill responsibilities

Your health care provider may order an ADHD test if you or your child has symptoms of the disorder, ADHD tends to run in families. Many parents of children with ADHD had symptoms of the disorder when they were younger. Also, ADHD is often found in siblings of the same family.

Schedule your assessment

What happens if you find out you've got ADHD?
It’s normal to feel upset or intimidated by a diagnosis of ADHD. It may feel like a label, but it may be more helpful to think of it as an explanation. The diagnosis explains why you may have struggled with life skills such as paying attention, following directions, listening closely, organization—things that seem to come easily to other people. It doesn’t have to slow you down, but it can help to not treat your difficulties as your own shortcomings. In this sense, getting a diagnosis can be a relief.
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Getting a diagnosis is the first step toward making life better. You can rest easier knowing that it wasn’t laziness or a lack of intelligence standing in your or your child’s way, but rather a disorder that you can learn how to manage. While there is no cure for ADHD, early treatments can help reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. Getting treatment means taking control of symptoms and feeling more confident in every area of life.
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Treatment usually includes a combination of medicine, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes.
If you or your child is diagnosed with ADHD, don’t wait to start treatment. The earlier you begin tackling the symptoms, the better. Managing ADHD takes work. Also keep in mind that an ADHD diagnosis is not a sentence for a lifetime of suffering. Some people have only mild symptoms, while others experience more pervasive problems. But regardless of where you or your child land on this spectrum, there are many steps you can take to manage your symptoms.

→ ADHD is treatable. Don’t give up hope. With the right treatment and support, you or your child will be able to get the symptoms of ADHD under control and build the life that you want.

→ Treatment is your own responsibility. It’s up to you to take action to manage the symptoms of ADHD. Health professionals can help, but ultimately, the responsibility lies in your own hands.

→ Learning all you can about ADHD is key. Understanding the disorder will help you make informed decisions about all aspects of your or your child’s life and treatment.

→ Support makes all the difference. While treatment is up to you, support from others can help you stay motivated and get you through tough times.
What are next steps if I'd like to proceed with ADHD screening?
1. Get in touch
  Use our website contact form here
2. Schedule the screening
  We get back to you with available times
3. Get diagnosis
  And make the treatment even more efficient

A diagnosis can be a great wake-up call—it can give you the extra push you need to seek help for the symptoms that are getting in the way of your or your child's happiness and success.

Schedule your assessment