What test did your ADHD child have?

In my experience with assessments, I frequently encounter child patients who present with a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). During these evaluations, I carefully review the diagnostic criteria and data to determine whether the initial assessment aligns with the current understanding of the child’s behavior, attention span, and overall functioning. This process involves not only a thorough analysis of behavioral observations and standardized testing results but also a collaborative discussion with parents and teachers to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the child’s challenges and strengths.

Today, I have been specifically requested to verify the accuracy of an ADHD assessment. Upon reviewing the notes, I observed that the child (well, the child’s mother, really) has only been given a single ADHD checklist, with no additional testing conducted. This realization prompts a strong concern, as it is imperative to recognize that symptoms are seldom confined to a single mental health disorder, nor is any one checklist (as good as some of them are) sufficient to diagnose a clinical mental health disorder. To ensure optimal assessments for patients, particularly children, we must adopt a comprehensive approach that considers the potential overlap of various mental health conditions.

The main symptoms of ADHD can present as:

1.  Anxiety

2.  Depression

3.  Trauma

4.  Learning Disability(-ies)

5. Brain Injury

6. Chronic home or school stress

7. Chronic disrupted sleep

8. Problems secondary to medical conditions

…to name a few of maybe the most obvious. But even still - have we done enough to ensure the child has not been mis-identified? 

Proper assessment and diagnosis of any mental health condition must adhere to established protocols to ensure that we provide the best possible care for our patients. I would like to say that there’s a “standard protocol” that we can use to accurately identify any of our mental health disorders, but we know that there isn’t. A combination of tools that target executive functions - processing speed, working memory, organization of time and materials, prioritization, inhibition, switching, sustained attention/concentration, impulse control, self-monitoring and self-corrections - plus behavioral observations, plus a full history and interview are all mandatory before we land a diagnosis on someone. 

Want to discuss? Email me, or join one of my online programs or live workshops.