ADHD EVALUATIONS
An ADHD evaluation is a thorough process to determine if an individual's symptoms meet the criteria for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a crucial step toward understanding challenges with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity and creating an effective treatment plan.
The Evaluation Process
ADHD is a clinical diagnosis, meaning there is no single test for it. Instead, a comprehensive evaluation involves gathering information from multiple sources to create a complete picture of a person's life and functioning. The process typically includes:
Clinical Interview and History: The psychiatrist will conduct a detailed interview to understand the individual's current symptoms and past medical, psychiatric, and developmental history.
Collateral Information: Because ADHD symptoms can vary across different settings, input from collateral sources may be helpful. This may include a review of school records, or discussions with parents, partners, and teachers—always with the individual's (or guardian’s) consent.
Rating Scales and Questionnaires: The psychiatrist will use standardized questionnaires and rating scales to assess the frequency and severity of ADHD symptoms. These tools help compare an individual's behaviors to others of the same age.
Physical and Mental Status Exams: These are helpful tools to further assess signs and symptoms of ADHD and related disorders. Depending on family and personal histories, an EKG or other studies may be indicated prior to starting ADHD medications.
Specialized Testing
In most cases, a diagnosis can be made without formal psychological or neuropsychological testing. However, such assessments can be helpful when:
Despite a thorough psychiatric evaluation, the diagnosis is still uncertain or symptoms are complex.
The evaluation yields a need to differentiate ADHD from other neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., specific learning disorders, intellectual disability, global developmental delay).
