Understanding ADHD Diagnosis and Assessment
Learn about how ADHD is diagnosed, including key symptoms, assessment procedures, and the role of healthcare professionals. Understand the importance of comprehensive evaluations and the criteria used to identify ADHD in children and adults. This guide highlights the process from initial consultation to specialist assessments, emphasizing careful monitoring and multi-setting observations for accurate diagnosis.
Understanding ADHD Diagnosis and Assessment
The CDC states that diagnosing ADHD can't rely on a single test because several other conditions like learning challenges, depression, anxiety, and sleep issues may display similar signs. If you or your child suspect ADHD, consulting a healthcare professional is the first step to determine if symptoms align with the condition.
A diagnosis is made if over six symptoms persist for more than six months and are observed in at least two settings since age 12.
Depending on symptom patterns, individuals may be classified as having Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive, or Combined ADHD types. Healthcare providers like physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, and pediatricians diagnose ADHD using the DSM or pediatric guidelines. They gather information from parents and caregivers about behaviors, asking about family history, other health issues, and significant life events such as divorce or loss.
They also discuss your or your child's symptoms, how long they have lasted, and whether they impact daily activities, social interactions, or occur at school or work. Following initial consultation, a monitoring period of roughly ten weeks may be recommended to observe symptom progression. If needed, a specialist—such as an occupational therapist, learning disability expert, pediatrician, or psychiatrist—can perform a comprehensive assessment, which may include interviews, reports from teachers or family members, and physical exams to rule out other causes. To confirm ADHD in children, the diagnosis considers symptoms that are not age-appropriate, cause significant academic or social difficulties, are present in multiple settings, began before age 12, and have lasted over six months. A diagnosis requires at least six symptoms of ADHD present.
