Everyday Health: How is ADHD diagnosed? Is there a specific test?
Monte W. Davenport, PhD (drmontedavenport.com)
Developmental psychologist and licensed professional counselor, Southlake, Texas
There's no one specific test for ADHD. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) recommend that the evaluation of ADHD include a clinical interview with the child or adolescent's family; a clinical interview with the child or adolescent; obtaining information about home and school functioning through standardized parent and teacher checklists; review of the individual's medical and family history to rule out other possible diagnoses; review of psychosocial history to rule out other possible psychological disorders; consideration of possible comorbid anxiety, coping, or self-esteem problems. The most recent AAP guidelines suggest that other diagnostic tests are not routinely indicated to establish the diagnosis of ADHD.
Jacquelyn F. Gamino, PhD (brainhealth.utdallas.edu)
Research scientist, Center for BrainHealth, University of Texas, Dallas
There is no blood test for diagnosing ADHD; the diagnosis is made by survey-type questionnaires that determine the child's behavior adaptation to home and school environment. Typically, both parents and teachers, as well as the child, are asked to fill out the survey.
Steven Richfield, PsyD (parentcoachcards.com)
Child psychologist, Plymouth Meeting, Pa.; author of The Parent Coach: A New Approach to Parenting in Today's Society
ADHD is diagnosed by a convergence of clinical, normative, and historical data. Observation of the child in the classroom, office, and home can all be part of the clinical data. Rating scales, filled out by parents, teachers, and sometimes the child, provide the normative data. A thorough history of the presence of symptoms at home and in the classroom is provided by a structured developmental history and comprehensive review of the child's educational and available psychological testing records.
F. Allen Walker, MD (louisvilleadhd.com)
Board-certified psychiatrist, Louisville, Ky.
Just as there is not a specific test for depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, there is not a specific test for ADHD. ADHD is primarily diagnosed by psychiatrists, primary-care physicians, pediatricians, and psychologists. There are differences between these practitioners and how they diagnose ADHD. Psychologists typically use patient rating scales, parent or teacher rating scales, and different IQ tests to make a diagnosis. Psychiatrists, primary care physicians, and pediatricians typically perform a history and physical examination. It is the history component of their examination or evaluation that may guide them to inquire further about whether a patient meets diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis.