ADHD

Understanding the process of an ADHD assessment can help your family feel more confident and supported. Here are the key steps involved, explained simply:

• Initial Assessment: You will meet with a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist who will listen carefully to your concerns, gather background information, and determine if an ADHD assessment is the right next step.
• Questionnaires: Standardized questionnaires are completed by parents, teachers, and sometimes the child. These tools, such as the Conners, SNAP-IV, or Vanderbilt forms, help provide a clear picture of behaviors and challenges in different settings.
• Review of Results: The clinician carefully reviews the questionnaire responses alongside school reports and developmental history to understand how symptoms affect daily life.
• Follow-Up Appointment: During this meeting, the clinician will explain the findings, discuss whether ADHD criteria are met, and talk through recommended next steps, which may include strategies, support options, or medication if appropriate.

1. ADHD is usually not diagnosed in very young children (often from around age 6 and above).
2. Symptoms must be present in more than one setting, such as home and school.
3. The assessment focuses on how difficulties affect daily functioning.
4. ADHD often overlaps with other conditions, which may require further assessment.