Could My Child Have ADHD?
You may be considering testing for ADHD due to concerns about your child’s ability to focus, sit still or control their emotions and behaviour. It is perfectly normal for children to lose focus or seem “hyper” at times, especially with our younger ones. But if these symptoms have persisted over more than 6 months despite your efforts, occur frequently in two or more settings, and is beginning to affect your child’s learning – you may consider seeking advice on ADHD testing.
Not all kids with ADHD are hyperactive. In fact, we regularly see kids with the predominantly inattentive presentation of ADHD (sometimes known as ADD). This means that they are not hyperactive, but rather their challenges are with focusing, being organised and sustaining their attention on tasks. It is also a common misconception that people with ADHD cannot focus at all. Rather, many have no problems hyper-focusing on things they find interesting (e.g. video games), but may be easily bored and require more stimulation to stay focused on more mundane or repetitive tasks.
Check out these websites for more information about ADHD:
ADHD Symptoms
There are different subtypes or presentations of ADHD and the symptoms we look out for in ADHD tests are as follows:
Inattentive Symptoms
- Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or during other activities
- Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (e.g. dreamy)
- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork (e.g., starts tasks but quickly loses focus)
- Often has difficulty organizing tasks, belongings and activities
- Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (e.g. homework)
- Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
- Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
- Is often forgetful in daily activities
Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms
- Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet or squirms in seat
- Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected (e.g., classroom, dinner table)
- Often restless or runs about or climbs in situations where it is inappropriate
- Often unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly
- Is often “on the go,” acting as if “driven by a motor” (e.g., is unable to be or uncomfortable being still for extended time)
- Often talks excessively
- Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed (e.g., cannot wait for turn in conversation)
- Often has difficulty waiting his or her turn (e.g., while waiting in line)
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or activities, using others’ things without asking).
ADHD Testing
Accurate testing for ADHD requires triangulating information from different sources. There is no “short cut” or single ADHD test available. Brain scans may look cool but they cannot be used to diagnose ADHD reliably. It is also a myth that ADHD can be diagnosed just by talking to or observing your child. Even if we do observe all the symptoms while talking to the child, DSM-5 criteria and clinical practice guidelines require us to take further steps to determine if the symptoms:
(b) are pervasive across at least 2 settings
(c) have persisted for at least 6 months
(d) interferes with the child’s functioning (e.g. social, academic)
(e) are better explained by other conditions that can “look like” ADHD (e.g. anxiety, learning disabilities, ASD, mood disorder, sleep issues). These conditions may also co-occur with ADHD.
At our intake consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your questions, concerns and observations with the psychologist to determine if ADHD testing is indeed necessary. Proper diagnosis requires gathering and synthesizing information from multiple sources to form a full clinical picture of the child. ADHD testing at Bloom involves a careful evaluation including the following sources of information:
- Rating scales completed by parents and teachers
- Qualitative feedback from teachers
- Analysis of work samples and school records
- Clinical interview with parents
- Cognitive assessment
- Continuous Performance Test
- Executive Functioning Tests
- Testing/screening for co-morbid conditions
- Child interview
- Parent feedback
Please expect the assessment process to take about 2 sessions with the child and 1 session with parents. After that, we take about 2 weeks to analyse and triangulate the data, before meeting parents at the interview/feedback session.
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We value your feedback and inquiries. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to us. Our dedicated team is here to assist you and provide the information you need.
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Book Your First Session
We value your feedback and inquiries. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to us. Our dedicated team is here to assist you and provide the information you need.
