Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Many people find themselves feeling overwhelmed and confused when faced with the prospect of ADHD Testing. So this guide will provide all the information you need to know about what to expect from an ADHD evaluation. Including the costs associated, and more.
What is ADHD Testing?
ADHD testing is the process of evaluating a person for Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This evaluation is done to determine if an individual has the condition and if so, which subtype. It typically includes a combination of medical history, physical exams, psychological tests, and questionnaires from parents and teachers.
The medical history portion of ADHD testing involves a doctor looking at the patient’s medical records and asking about any health issues or mental health concerns that might be related to ADHD. Physical exams help rule out other potential causes of inattentiveness and hyperactivity. These can include thyroid problems, vision problems, and hearing impairments.
Psychological tests are used to assess an individual’s cognitive abilities, such as memory, concentration, problem-solving skills, and executive functioning. Questionnaires from parents and teachers can provide valuable insight into how an individual behaves in different settings. As well as how serious the symptoms of ADHD might be.
Overall, ADHD testing is important because it helps doctors accurately diagnose and treat the condition. With the right diagnosis, individuals can receive the correct treatment and support they need to lead healthy and productive lives.
Why is it Important to Get ADHD Testing?
If you’re questioning whether or not you have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it is important to get tested. ADHD is a behavioral disorder that makes it hard for someone to sit still, pay attention, and focus on tasks. People with ADHD may also be easily distracted and/or act without thinking.
ADHD affects millions of children and often lasts into adulthood.
Until their own children are diagnosed, many adults don’t realize symptoms they’ve had since childhood may be related to ADHD. Untreated ADHD is associated with many difficulties including substance abuse, gambling addiction, video game addiction, higher divorce rates, difficulty performing in school and work, a higher chance of unemployment, and more.
The most important benefit of taking an assessment for ADHD is to gain a greater understanding of yourself or your child. Diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional, like a psychologist or psychiatrist. Or by a primary care provider, like a pediatrician.
Healthcare providers use the guidelines in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth edition (DSM-5), to help diagnose ADHD. This diagnostic standard helps ensure that people are appropriately diagnosed and treated for ADHD. Using the same standard across communities can also help determine how many children have ADHD. As well as how public health is impacted by this condition.
The criteria for ADHD include inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Inattention means difficulty paying attention and focusing on tasks. Impulsivity involves acting without thinking about consequences. Hyperactivity can include fidgeting and trouble sitting still.
Once Diagnosed a Treatment Approach Can be Determined
Once you have a diagnosis or a diagnosis has been excluded from you, you will be able to work with professionals to determine the right approach for treatment. Depending on your symptoms, personal preferences, and environmental factors, different forms of treatment might be preferable, including medication, talk therapy, coaching, nutrition, and many other options.
Having a diagnosis of ADHD helps create a sense of understanding and allows you to take control of your life. Many people report that a diagnosis can be a relief to know what has been challenging them but as well they feel upset to know that they have a mental health condition.
At the end of the day, receiving a diagnosis of ADHD, or finding out that you do not have ADHD, is the start of many positive changes in your or your child’s life. Getting diagnosed is the first step in helping yourself with ADHD and may unravel complex emotions.
Therefore, if you are questioning whether or not you have ADHD, it is important to get tested. Doing so can help you understand why you have been facing certain challenges, and find ways to cope, manage, and treat the condition so that you can lead a happier, healthier life.
Understanding the Different Types of ADHD
Part of your ADHD diagnosis after testing will include which of the 3 types of ADHD you have. While most people are familiar with the two subtypes of hyperactive and inattentive ADHD, there is also a combined type that combines both of these characteristics.
Inattentive ADHD
The inattentive type of ADHD is primarily characterized by difficulty paying attention, having trouble focusing on tasks, and being easily distracted. People with this type of ADHD often have difficulty organizing, finishing tasks, or following detailed instructions. Symptoms can include not listening when spoken to directly, daydreaming, not paying attention to details or making careless mistakes, losing things, and being easily distracted by external stimuli. This type of ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in adults and girls.
Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD
The hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD is characterized by excessive movement, fidgeting, squirming, and difficulty staying seated. People with this type of ADHD can often talk non-stop, interrupt others, and have trouble controlling their impulses. This type of ADHD is more recognizable and more often diagnosed in children and men.
Combined ADHD
The third type of ADHD is the combined type which includes both inattentive symptoms and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. People with this type of ADHD demonstrate six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. It is important to note that for a person to be diagnosed with any type of ADHD, the symptoms must interfere with the person’s functioning or development and at least some of the symptoms must have been apparent before age 12. It is important to understand the differences between each type of ADHD in order to receive the best treatment possible. With proper diagnosis, care, and treatment, people with ADHD can lead fulfilling lives.
What are the Symptoms of ADHD?
ADHD is a behavioral disorder that is most commonly seen in children but can persist into adulthood. It is characterized by symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and in some cases, hyperactivity. The condition is usually diagnosed by observing the patient’s behavior over an extended period of time.
When diagnosing ADHD in adults and adolescents aged 17 years and older, five out of 18 symptoms must be present for the diagnosis. These 18 symptoms are divided into nine inattentive symptoms and nine hyperactivity symptoms.
The inattentive symptoms include:
Difficulty paying attention, disorganization, problems prioritizing, poor time management skills, problems focusing on tasks, trouble multitasking, lack of follow-through, problems with listening, fidgeting, and poor planning.
The hyperactivity symptoms include:
Excessive activity or restlessness, excessive talking, inability to wait their turn, acting without thinking, and low frustration tolerance.
Symptoms Must Interfere with Patient Functioning and Development
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must interfere with the patient’s functioning and development, and cannot be better explained by another mental disorder such as a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, or personality disorder. Additionally, the symptoms must not be due to the effects of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.
The 18 symptoms of ADHD that can help diagnose the disorder are difficulty paying attention, disorganization, and problems prioritizing, poor time management skills, problems focusing on tasks, trouble multitasking, lack of follow-through, problems with listening, fidgeting, poor planning, excessive activity or restlessness, excessive talking, inability to wait their turn, acting without thinking, and low frustration tolerance.
The DSM Criteria for Diagnosing ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a complex and potentially disabling condition that is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). It has been estimated that over 6 million children have been diagnosed with ADHD.
The DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing ADHD are based on a detailed evaluation of symptoms, both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, that have persisted for at least six months and are inappropriate for the child’s developmental level. In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, a child must have at least six symptoms of either inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, or both. These symptoms must be present in more than one setting (e.g., home, school, work, social activities).
The symptoms of inattention include:
Difficulty maintaining attention, difficulty listening and following instructions, making careless mistakes, avoiding tasks that require a sustained focus, being forgetful, getting easily distracted, and losing things easily.
The symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity can include:
Restlessness, difficulty sitting still, excessive talking, blurting out answers before questions have been completed, interrupting others, and difficulty waiting for their turn.
It Is Important to Explore Family and Medical History
When diagnosing ADHD, healthcare providers should take into account family history, medical history, and other conditions that may explain the symptoms better or co-occur with ADHD. It is important to rule out any problems that could explain the individual’s difficulties. Healthcare providers should also consider the person’s age. The symptoms may look different in adults than they do in children. For example, in adults, hyperactivity may appear as extreme restlessness or wearing others out with their activity.
Examine the Behaviors of the Individual
In addition to looking at symptoms, healthcare providers should ask parents, teachers, and other adults who care for the child about the child’s behavior in different settings, like at home, school, or with peers. Neuropsychological testing can suggest the diagnosis, but without a clinical assessment, cannot be used to make a diagnosis. Brain imaging like MRI, PET, or CT scans cannot diagnose ADHD either.
It is important to note that only trained healthcare professionals can diagnose and treat ADHD. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD. And many other problems, like sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms.
How Much Does it Cost to Get an ADHD Diagnosis?
The ATTN Center and our skilled team of clinicians offers the most advanced and comprehensive panel of ADHD tests available. This version of ADHD Testing takes the ADHD portions from the standard Neuropsychological evaluation to administer. It is used to determine a diagnosis of ADHD only. This version of Testing takes about two hours, and the fee is $825. So you still get the most comprehensive evaluations for ADHD, without having to afford the $5,000+ cost for the 10-hour Neuropsychological Evaluation.
Preparing for ADHD Testing
When it comes to getting an accurate diagnosis for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), preparing for the evaluation is key. An ADHD evaluation often includes a clinical interview, paperwork such as questionnaires and rating scales, a physical exam, and a medical history review. It’s important to be prepared for each step of the process in order to get the most out of the evaluation.
Collect Relevant Information About Symptoms
The first step in preparing for an ADHD evaluation is to collect any relevant information about your symptoms. This includes writing down any questions that you have. In addition, you can gather information on patterns or symptoms that present themselves at certain times of the day. Additionally, it can be helpful to use an ADHD symptom checklist to guide your conversation with the doctor.
Gather Histories
The next step is to gather information about your social, medical, and family history. This includes any past diagnoses or medications that you may have taken. And includes any current medications that you are taking. It can also include information about the people in your family who may be affected by ADHD or other mental health conditions. Additionally, it’s important to provide information about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your educational background.
ADHD Rating Scales
The evaluation process will also include ADHD rating scales that assess different areas of behavior. For example, these rating scales may ask questions about how often you display behaviors associated with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Other ADHD rating scales may ask questions about typical behaviors like frequent fidgeting or squirming in a chair.
Intelligence Testing
Finally, intelligence tests are a standard part of most thorough evaluations. They not only measure IQ but can also detect certain learning disabilities common in people with ADHD. This is why it’s important to make sure that you are mentally prepared for the evaluation process.
In conclusion, preparing for an ADHD evaluation is essential for getting an accurate diagnosis. Collecting information on your symptoms, gathering information about your social, medical, and family history, completing ADHD rating scales, and being mentally prepared for the evaluation process are all important steps. Taking these steps will ensure that you are best prepared to take an ADHD evaluation.
Conclusion
ADHD testing is an important process for accurately diagnosing and treating this condition. It is a combination of medical history, physical exams, psychological tests, and questionnaires from parents and teachers. Knowing the signs and symptoms of ADHD is also essential in order to properly diagnose and treat the condition. If you think you or your child may have ADHD, reach out. It is important to speak to your doctor about the options available for testing and treatment. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the ATTN Center today. It could be the first step in helping you lead a healthy and productive life.
Begin ADHD Testing in NYC
If you are questioning the possibility of having an ADHD diagnosis, getting tested may be the best thing you could do for yourself and your family. ATTN Center of NYC is here to offer those services. You can finally get a definitive answer and bring comfort and hope for better days ahead. A significant percentage of people who we’ve diagnosed with ADHD have reported feeling relieved after receiving the diagnosis.
Stop wondering if you have ADHD and start getting a handle on it by getting tested. Our team is here to guide you through the process, to help mitigate the negative aspects of ADHD symptoms, and to help you tap into the strengths and benefits of ADHD in order to use it as your superpower! Below is a list of simple steps to follow to get started on this journey:
- Learn more about our team and the services offered here!
- Reach out to us through our convenient online therapy contact page here!
- Begin the journey to understanding your diagnosis and living your best life!
Other ADHD Services Offered by The ATTN Center in NYC
We not only offer ADHD testing, but also other services related to the treatment of ADHD and its side effects. This includes therapy for ADHD-related anxiety and depression, group therapy, ADHD-focused therapy, and neurofeedback options. At ATTN Center of NYC, we do everything in our power to treat ADHD without the use of medication, but we understand in some severe cases additional measures may be needed. As a result, we also maintain close relationships with many of NYC’s best psychiatrists.