ADHD Tests for Kids

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) causes many kids to have a hard time focusing and can lead to early disciplinary problems in school such as "acting out." One of the most difficult aspects of ADHD is that there are no full-proof tests for diagnosis. Doctors will often evaluate a kid's entire life, the history of focus-related issues and overall medical record. Basic ADHD criteria established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) helps doctors determine potential ADHD cases. Further testing and observation will often then lead to a positive diagnosis.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' Criteria

• The DSM breaks ADHD signs and symptoms into two main categories: inattention and hyperactivity. A doctor will only proceed with ADHD diagnosis if a child has six signs or symptoms for one or both of the two categories. Symptoms in the inability category include difficult following directions and failure to pay close attention to details, listening problems, tendency to lose things, disorganization, forgetfulness and distractibility. Hyperactive symptoms include inability to sit still, fidgeting hands, inability to play quietly, tendency to interrupt others, impatience and excessive gregariousness.

  If a child has six or more symptoms from these categories, doctors will also consider whether these symptoms developed before the age of 7, whether the child's behavior is abnormal, whether the symptoms have persisted for over 6 months and whether the symptoms affect the child's overall home and/or school life. In cases where all four of these additional criteria are met, ADHD is often diagnosed.

  Depending on the type of symptoms and which class they fall in, a doctor may diagnose a sub-class of ADHD. Sub-classes help doctors pinpoint treatment more effectively. Kids who have six or more attention symptoms, but few hyperactive symptoms are said to have predominately inattentive type ADHD. Conversely, if the symptoms are mostly hyperactive symptoms, your kid may have predominately hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD. When an even mix of hyperactive and inattentive symptoms occur, your child may have combined type ADHD.

Questionnaires

• Although there is no single test that can diagnose ADHD, questionnaires and in-office testing will help the doctor get a sense of your child's issues. A doctor may give your child a variety of tests designed to observe patience, listening and the ability to follow directions. Other tests are less structured and are meant to observe the child in a more natural environment. In addition to observing your kid, the doctor will talk to you and perhaps even some of the child's teachers to get a sense of how severe the symptoms are how much the symptoms interfere with daily life.

Differential Diagnosis

• Since many conditions can mirror ADHD, doctors will often conduct tests to rule out a variety of mental and physical health problems. Tests can help rule out conditions that may exhibit symptoms similar to ADHD such as minor seizures, hearing problem, vision problems, learning disabilities, middle ear infection or depression. Other conditions that produce ADHD-like symptoms include Tourette syndrome, Asperger's Disorder and autism. Each one of these conditions has its own sets of tests for positive or negative diagnosis. However, since up to 1/3 of kids with ADHD also have one of these other conditions, differential diagnosis has its limitations.