ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts one’s ability to pay attention, sustain focus, sit still, and/or control and regulate his/her behaviours and emotions. Symptoms first start in early childhood and can continue to influence an individual’s functioning into adulthood. Common symptoms associated with ADHD may include the following:
- Daydreaming or zoning out
- Difficulty waiting in line or taking turns
- Forgetfulness
- Distractibility
- Challenges with sitting still or staying seated when necessary
- Excessive talking
- Interrupting or blurting out responses
- Tendency to make careless mistakes
- Trouble thinking before acting
- Difficulty managing one’s time
- Challenges with planning and organising tasks
If you or someone you know exhibits similar symptoms, it may be worthwhile to seek out an ADHD assessment.
Diagnosis with ADHD
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, an individual must experience challenges with attention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity, and these traits must be observable prior to age 12. Additionally, these symptoms must be present in at least two settings (e.g., at school, at home, at work, etc.) and must have a clinically significant impact on the individual’s daily functioning. There are three forms of ADHD:
- Predominately Inattentive Presentation
- Predominately Hyperactive/Impulsive Presentation
- Combined Presentation
It is important to note that symptoms of ADHD can change over time. When this occurs, the severity of one’s symptom presentation may be impacted.
ADHD Assessment Process
There is no one test that assesses ADHD; rather, the diagnostic process contains various steps to identify symptoms, assess the severity of the problem, and rule out other possibilities. During ADHD testing, you will work with a qualified professional who will complete the following:
- Clinical Interview
- The practitioner will ask questions about your symptoms and their impact on your daily functioning and your personal, socioemotional, educational, and occupational histories.
- Review of Records
- The practitioner may ask you to provide relevant records such as school reports, medical evaluations, or previous psychological assessments.
- External Interviews
- The practitioner may ask you to provide contact information for someone who can speak to your functioning in different settings. This can include parents, former teachers, medical providers, or bosses among others.
- Psychometric testing
- You may be asked to complete standardised psychological assessments that examine your cognitive abilities, memory, and executive functioning.
- Questionnaires
- You or someone who knows you well may be asked to complete various questionnaires regarding symptoms related to ADHD or other mental health conditions.
ADHD Diagnostic Considerations
There are numerous medical and mental health conditions that can contribute to problems with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. An ADHD assessment will seek to rule out conditions that may have a similar impact on an individual’s presentation. Some examples may include:
- Hearing and vision impairments
- Learning disorders
- Language disorders
- Mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression
- Sleep disturbances
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neurological issues
What to expect after ADHD testing?
Following the ADHD testing process, an individualised evaluation which includes one’s background information, the examiner’s observations, the results of psychometric testing, and diagnostic impressions will be provided. Recommendations on how to limit the impact of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in various settings will also be offered. Some common treatments for ADHD include:
- Individual and/or behavioural therapy
- Psychotropic medication interventions
- Occupational therapy or ADHD coaching
- Social skills trainings and/or social skills groups
- Parent trainings
Seek help from a qualified professional
If you suspect that you or a loved one may be exhibiting symptoms of ADHD, it may be worthwhile to seek guidance from a qualified professional. While ADHD testing may seem overwhelming, the practitioner with whom you work will try to make the assessment process as stress-free as possible.
If the assessment process seems right for you, or if you want more information about if your symptoms might be attributable to ADHD, please do not hesitate to reach out to Laburnum Psychology team via email at admin@laburnumpsychology.com.au or by phone 03 9877 9179.
