ADHD Assessments

Psychological testing for ADHD allows not only to diagnose this condition but also to determine ADHD type, severity, and possible concurring diagnoses. ADHD testing is used to evaluate a person's attention, executive functioning, and cognitive profile.

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.


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BASIC FACTS

BASIC FACTS

Getting a comprehensive ADHD assessment can help mitigate the negative effects of ADHD. This specialized cognitive evaluation provides invaluable insight into a child's mind and give us 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 in early age is to rule out other diagnoses. Several mental illnesses have the same symptoms as ADHD. Depression, for instance, can mirror distractibility. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are often mistaken for ADHD , especially in adolescents. Over-excitability sometimes indicates an anxiety disorder. Social difficulties, learning disabilities, and fine-motor skill impairments are also commonly mistaken for ADHD. A thorough evaluation prevents clinicians from misdiagnosing or failing to detect other issues.

ONLINE ADHD SCREENING TEST
ADHD Assessments

ONLINE ADHD
SCREENING TEST

This online ADHD screening test has been developed to help parents determine whether a formal ADHD assessment is recommended for their children. The parent questionnaire takes less than 3 minutes to complete. It consists of 30 questions that assess specific behavioural traits common in ADHD students. The answers are weighted according to the relative importance of a particular trait and evaluated based on statistically normalized sample data. The final score indicates the likelihood that the child has ADHD and serves as a good indication of whether a formal ADHD assessment would be beneficial. The test has 5% margin of error and confidence level of 92%.


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ADHD: A Thumbnail Sketch

ADHD: A Thumbnail Sketch

A complex disorder, ADHD first appears before the age of seven and frequently persists into adulthood. Understanding of its etiology is limited, but the fact that it runs in families suggests a genetic basis. Although environment can influence expression of symptoms, ADHD is not the product of failed parenting or a sugary diet.

Symptoms of inattention
include the following:

  • Failure to notice details
  • Careless mistakes
  • Frequently misplacing things or losing them altogether
  • Boredom
  • Daydreaming
  • Poor listening skills
  • Interrupting

Symptoms of hyperactivity
include the following:

  • Constant multitasking
  • Squirming and fidgeting
  • Quick temper and emotional explosiveness
  • Difficulty relaxing and playing quietly
  • Moving around inappropriately
  • Excessive chattiness

Hyperactivity is one symptom of ADHD that many children outgrow with maturity.

For detailed information on ADHD symptoms please see the article "Principal Symptoms of ADHD in Children and Teenagers" .

Testing for ADHD: What to Expect

We offer ADHD testing to clients from North Toronto and York Region (i.e., Aurora, Georgina, Maple, Markham, Newmarket, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and Woodbridge).  Please contact us for more information.

Testing for ADHD: What to Expect

Although some studies have shown differences in the brains of ADHD individuals, the condition cannot be diagnosed with a brain scan. Neither is there a single test that can deliver an airtight diagnosis. In order to yield an accurate diagnosis, an assessment needs to be individualized and multifaceted.

Two critical protocols to improve accuracy of results include the following:

  • Gathering information from no less than two people who regularly interact with the child, such as a parent and teacher
  • Considering the child from within several contexts, since ADHD symptoms vary situationally.

Thorough ADHD testing typically includes the following components:

  • Parent interviews about the child's developmental background and history
  • Child interviews
  • Behavioral observations that include questionnaires and self-report measures completed by parents, teachers and the child's psychologist
  • Intelligence testing to identify patterns associated with ADHD
  • Academic achievement tests to assess the child's scholastic capabilities
  • Motor skills test to rule out other disorders and gather other information about the extent of ADHD impact
  • Standardized attention tests that evaluate concentration ability
  • Memory tests
  • Medical records
  • A speech and language assessment
  • Measurement of visual and auditory attention
  • Measurement of other neurodevelopmental functions such as planning, impulse control and cognitive flexibility
ADHD Assessments

ADHD Test results can be used to tailor a child's educational plan.

Understanding whether attention issues are primarily visual or auditory will clarify what teaching styles will be the best fit. The cognitive profile that emerges from the results also gives a picture of the exact nature of the child's weaknesses, allowing parents and teachers to pinpoint organizational strategies and time-management solutions that can make everyday life more manageable. Some environmental adaptations are usually necessary to create optimal conditions for the child's recovery.
Practical applications aside, results also benefit a child's self-esteem. Children with ADHD often feel a sense of failure, defeat and shame that erodes their confidence and can, ultimately, lead to isolation. Strengths that are highlighted in test results can restore their faith. They can also be a powerful reminder that not all aspects of ADHD are detrimental. Many individuals with ADHD are innovative, inspiring, risk-taking people with vision to see possibilities that others overlook.

How to Get an ADHD Assessment

How to Get an ADHD Assessment

Some private and public schools retain a school psychologist on staff to conduct assessments. Others refer to outside psychologists who provide the service for a set fee or hourly rate. What matters most are the qualifications of the person administering the evaluation. Key credentials to ascertain include the following:
Master's or Doctoral level training in developmental and school psychology
Professional licensing to practice psychology in their jurisdiction (e.g., by the provincial College of Psychologists)
Experience working within a school setting
Experience conducting psychoeducational assessments, including assessments for ADHD
The cost of private ADHD assessment depends on the location and varies significantly depending on qualifications of the psychologist and the additional staff involved in the testing process. Currently (as of mid-2018), the typical costs of ADHD assessment in the United States are in the range of USD 1200-2400, and in Canada are in the range of CDN$ 1500-2800.
ADHD can also be diagnosed by a child psychiatrist or developmental pediatrician. Their diagnosis, while still valuable, will not include the multifaceted assessment described above and, thus, will lack the detailed information needed to create a successful intervention plan.

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