Does my child or I have ADHD?
A diagnostic evaluation can be provided by a health care provider who gathers information from multiple sources. These sources include ADHD symptom checklists, behavior rating scales, a detailed history of past and present everyday behaviors, and information from others who know the person well. Your health care provider will also perform a complete physical examination.
Only 5 symptoms are needed to diagnose ADHD in adults and adolescents aged 17 years or older and behavior scales are used to confirm the diagnosis.
Symptoms may look different in adolescents and adults. For example, hyperactivity may look like restlessness.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD. 2020. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/diagnosis.html. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
- Healthy Children. Diagnosing ADHD in Children: Guidelines & Information for Parents. 2017. Available at https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/Diagnosing-ADHD-in-Children-Guidelines-Information-for-Parents.aspx. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- Medicine Net. Inattention: Symptoms & Signs. Available at https://www.medicinenet.com/inattention/symptoms.htm. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- Medline Plus. Hyperactivity. Available at https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003256.htm.
- Medicine Net. Medical Definition of Impulsivity. Available at https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=22330. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- Medicine Net. Medical Definition of Symptom. Available at https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5610. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). Diagnosing ADHD in Adults. 2020. Available at https://chadd.org/for-adults/diagnosis-of-adhd-in-adults/. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- DuPaul GJ. Parent and teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms: Psychometric properties in a community-based sample. J Clin Child Psychol. 1991; 20:242.
- DuPaul GJ, Power TJ, Anastopoulos AD, Reid R. ADHD Rating Scale-IV: Checklists, Norms, and Clinical Interpretation. New York: The Guilford Press; 1998.
- DuPaul GJ, Power TJ, Anastopoulos AD, Reid R. ADHD Rating Scale-V: Checklists, Norms, and Clinical Interpretation. New York: The Guilford Press; 2016.
- Achenbach TM. Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist. University of Vermont: Department of Psychiatry; Burlington, 1991.
- Achenbach TM. Manual for the Teachers Report Form. University of Vermont: Department of Psychiatry; Burlington, 1991.
- Conners CK. Conners 3rd Edition. Toronto: Multi-Health Systems, Inc; 2008.
- Adult ADHD-RS-IV with Adult Prompts. Available at https://www.qandadhd.com/Content/pdf/ADHD-RS-IV_Tear-Pad-with-Adult-Prompts.pdf. Accessed June 7, 2020.
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association. Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) Symptom Checklist. Available at https://add.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/adhd-questionnaire-ASRS111.pdf. Accessed June 7, 2020.