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Analysis of Attentiveness - initial online diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Symptoms of ADHD include hyperactivity, difficulties in concentration and diligence, as well as great emotional sensitivity, low anger thresholds and temper outbursts. People may recognize these symptoms in themselves or in their children, without ever having had a formal assessment of ADHD. The decision to seek out professional evaluation is by no means a simple one, from both emotional and financial standpoints. Additionally, even after a decision to undergo evaluation for ADHD has been made, there is often a lengthy waiting period to be seen by a suitable professional.
In situations of suspected ADHD, immediate examination is highly recommended. This site provides updated and reliable information about the various aspects of ADHD. Additionally, on this site, parents, adults and professionals can obtain a preliminary, valid and reliable diagnosis regarding their own, or their child's likelihood of having ADHD. The site's examination has been developed by leading therapists and senior investigators, according to the most updated scientific standards. The test assesses attention and concentration abilities of a child or adult in comparison to age group norms. Test results are available immediately and can be subsequently used as a foundation for continued formal diagnosis and therapy.
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders. Children with ADHD experience difficulties functioning in various environments, including home, school, and interpersonal relationships with peers. Without treatment, ADHD may negatively affect a child's life and functioning.
In most children suffering from ADHD, symptoms are noticeable starting at kindergarten or lower grades of elementary school. These children have difficulties in controlling their behavior, or are easily distracted when they are required to be attentive and to concentrate. It is estimated that 3-5 percent of children suffer from ADHD.
Children with ADHD face difficult, but not insurmountable challenges. In order to realize their full potential, these children need help, guidance, advice and understanding – from parents, the educational system, professionals and counselors. Since oftentimes ADHD continues into adulthood, information regarding diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit in adults is provided separately.
What are the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
The main symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) include:
- Impulsiveness: A child who reacts immediately without considering the outcome.
- Hyperactivity: A child who finds it difficult to sit quietly, who walks, runs and climbs while other children are sitting still, and who talks when he needs to listen.
- Inattentiveness: Lack of attention - a child who daydreams or seems to be “in another world”, who is easily distracted by things that are happening around him, and who finds it difficult to maintain attentiveness and concentration for extended periods of time.
These symptoms appear early in a child’s development. For the most part, impulsiveness and hyperactivity appear first; attention and concentration deficits appear about a year later. Because many children who do not have ADHD may experience similar phenomena, but with lower intensities, it is important that any child suspected of suffering from ADHD undergo in-depth diagnosis by a qualified professional.
According to the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – DSM-IV-TR- there are three main behavioral patterns that characterize individuals with ADHD: predominantly hyperactive-impulsive (without demonstrating significant difficulties with concentration or attention), predominantly inattentive (without demonstrating significant symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness), or combined type reflecting a combination of the two aforementioned behavioral patterns (attention deficit and difficulty concentrating, as well as hyperactivity and impulsiveness).
How are Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity diagnosed?
Some parents may recognize lack of attention, difficulty concentrating, impulsiveness and hyperactivity before their child starts with formal schooling. However, children mature at different rates, and have different personalities, temperaments, and level of natural activity. Therefore, it is important to consult a specialist with experience working with children, in order to assess whether your child's behavior is reasonable for his or her age.
Oftentimes, ADHD is not formally diagnosed until a child begins to encounter difficulty in school. Teachers are often well suited to know how the "average" child behaves in school, and to identify those children who have additional trouble with self-control and attention. Nonetheless, children with attention deficit who do not disturb the classroom may not be identified by their teachers.
Who to turn to when you suspect that your child is suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Although the formal diagnosis of ADHD must be conducted by a professional with qualifications and knowledge, as well as a background in diagnosing ADHD, it is possible to start by talking about difficulties with your family practitioner. He/she may conduct an initial evaluation, but may ultimately refer to a more highly qualified professional. Clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and pediatric neurologists comprise the three most qualified and suitable professionals to diagnose ADHD, and they can also suggest treatment. Pediatric psychologists are able to diagnose ADHD, treat the child, and help the family in reaching decisions concerning general management. Because psychologists are not physicians, they are typically assisted by a family practitioner in matters connected to prescribing medicine, in the event that a decision is made to integrate pharmacological treatment. Pediatric psychiatrists are qualified physicians and are thus able to diagnose ADHD, and treat it pharmacologically. Additionally, some psychiatrists may offer psychological treatment, if they have received appropriate training. Neurologists are also physicians, who specialize in treating diseases of the brain and nervous system. They are able to diagnose ADHD, and provide medical treatment, but for the most part they are not qualified to treat emotional and psychological aspects of the disorder. It should be emphasized that within each of these professional categories there are also specialists in specifically diagnosing and treating ADHD.
Whoever the professional may be, his/her first responsibility will be to gather information that will rule out any other causes that might affect the behavior of the child, such as:
- Sudden changes in the child’s life (the death of someone close, divorce in the family, one of the parents losing their job, etc).
- Epileptic fits that have thus far been unidentified
- Ear infections and inflammations that could lead to partial loss of hearing.
- Medical problems that could affect the brain activity.
- Low function resulting from a learning disability.
- Anxiety or depression.
Next, the psychologist or physician will gather information on the child's daily behavior, comparing it to known symptoms of ADHD. He/she will normally meet with the parents and the child, and also attempt to gather information from teachers at the child's school. Next, the child will undergo a comprehensive didactic diagnosis, in order to rule out any form of learning disability.
An important aspect of ADHD diagnosis is direct examination of the child's attentional capabilities, persistence and impulsivity. This examination usually takes place in specialized institutes, where the child is given uninteresting and monotonous tasks intended to challenge concentration for an extended period of time.
The test offered on this website, which examines attentiveness and impulsivity, is based on the well documented principles of Continuous Performance Tasks (CPT), a class of tests providing a measure of attentiveness and impulsivity.
In examining test results and other sources of information, the professional will place special emphasis on behaviors in situations requiring a higher level of self-control. Additionally pertinent are noisy and confusing situations such as parties or school recesses, or situations requiring concentrated attention for lengthy time periods, such as reading, mathematics problem solving, or board games. Behavior observed when the child is playing freely, or when the child is receiving a lot of attention from adults is considered less significant in the diagnostic process of ADHD, as children in these situations typically function in accordance to norm.
Piecing all information together, the professional will compose a profile of the child’s behavior, answering the following questions: What form of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder does the child display? With what frequency are these behavioral symptoms appearing? In which situations? How long has the child been acting this way? How old was the child when these difficulties were first noticed? Are the behavioral difficulties chronic or do they appear during particular periods? Do these forms of behavior significantly impair the way the child functions at home, in school, with friends? The answers to these questions help to identify whether or not the child is displaying attention deficit, hyperactivity, impulsivity and lack of concentration in a significant and consistent manner.
The correct diagnosis often solves confusion over the origin of the child's behavioral problems. After diagnosis, parents and child are able to move forward, knowing the problems and possible solutions, and a suitable treatment can be begun. Among other things, advice will be received, which will ultimately help teachers and school faculty to match their requirements and attitude to the special needs of the child, and help parents most effectively modify the child's behavior.
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity in Adults
Many people associate Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity as a disorder exclusively suffered by children. But, in fact, many continue to struggle with this disorder well into adulthood. Several recent studies indicate that between 30 to 70 percent of children with ADHD continue to experience symptoms of the disorder in adulthood.
Many adults with ADHD are without diagnosis, and have limited awareness that the difficulty they experience in organization, concentration, and punctuality are due to ADHD.
Diagnosing Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder in adults
Often, when a child is diagnosed with ADHD, one of the parents will recognize that he/she also experiences many of the symptoms and characteristics as the child. They will begin to understand the reasons for many of their own difficulties over the years with absent-mindedness, impulsiveness and restlessness.
Other adults may seek therapy for depression or anxiety, and will discover that the root of what has caused them discomfort and distress is, in fact, ADHD.
In order to be diagnosed as having ADHD as an adult, the following conditions must exist: the disorder started in childhood, the disorder has continued consistently, and there are symptoms of the disorder from which the adult presently suffers.
It is important that adult diagnosis be precise, and conducted by a professional with experience in dealing with adult ADHD. In order to reach an accurate diagnosis, a detailed history of behavior starting in childhood is taken. Additionally, people who live with or know the adult being diagnosed will help provide insight to the professional making the diagnosis. Furthermore, psychological tests should be conducted in addition to attention examination, to identify the possibility of other disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or learning disability.
An accurate diagnosis of ADHD usually results in a significant sense of relief. Oftentimes, an individual with ADHD will have a lot of negative "baggage," left over from childhood, which serves as an impediment to self-esteem and positive growth. With diagnosis comes an understanding of the difficulties faced throughout life, and an effective way to cope with and treat symptoms. Oftentimes, adults diagnosed with ADHD seek out psychotherapy in addition to pharmacological treatment of the disorder, in order to cope with the frustration and distress of many years of undiagnosed ADHD.
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