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ADHD Assessments
Psychological testing for ADHD is used to evaluate attention, executive functioning, and cognitive profile. It is the only reliable method to establish a diagnosis. ADHD testing helps determine ADHD type, severity, and possible concurring conditions.
The main focus of this page is child ADHD testing. For information on ADHD in adults and ADHD assessments for adults, please visit this page.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can impact every area of a child's life, from friendships and family interaction to school, self-esteem and even personal safety. Although children with ADHD are often bright and talented, impulsivity, irritability and distractibility frequently hinder their progress and performance. In time, behaviors such as fidgeting in class, forgetting assignments and being emotionally volatile can define a child, eclipsing other aptitudes and abilities.
BASIC FACTS
Getting a comprehensive ADHD assessment can help mitigate the negative effects of ADHD. This specialized cognitive evaluation provides invaluable insight into a person's mind and offers information that can immediately improve his or her quality of life. Many parents with concerns adopt a "wait and see" approach. However, delaying diagnosis can cost valuable time. Assessing the severity and persistence of ADHD in a child's early years can minimize long-term, adverse effects. Instead of remediating once a child falls behind, parents and teachers can intervene early, preserving the child's confidence and joy of learning in the process. Additional consideration is that parenting ADHD child requires very different parenting techniques (see this
article on ADHD parenting tips
for more information), so learning the diagnosis early on can save a lot of stress and frustration.
Another important reason for ADHD testing at early age is to rule out other diagnoses. Several mental illnesses have the same symptoms as ADHD. For example,
symptoms of bipolar disorder are often mistaken for ADHD, especially in adolescents. Depression can mirror distractibility. Over-excitability sometimes indicates an anxiety disorder. Social difficulties, learning disabilities, and fine-motor skill impairments are also commonly mistaken for ADHD. A thorough ADHD evaluation at early age prevents clinicians from misdiagnosing or failing to detect other issues.