Does my child have ADHD?
I hear this question from parents all the time in my office
and from people I meet around town. I am
also surprised at how often parents and teachers mistakenly misattribute the
“symptoms” for ADHD when the source of the child’s learning or behavioral problems
is something environmental either in the home or the learning environment. For example a child who is being bullied
might have trouble paying attention in the same way that a child with ADHD
misses half the lesson because they are distracted by noise in the
hallway.
So how can my child get an accurate diagnosis?
There are many symptom checklist and the like that are often
employed by clinicians trying to determine the nature of a child’s inattention
and hyperactivity. These lists are
helpful; however, they are a measure of symptoms, and not a sample of the
child’s performance. Although teacher
and parent interviews are essential, as well as cognitive and achievement
testing, Mosaic Psychological Services chooses to also use the Test of
Variables or Attention (TOVA). This test
is like a computer game that the child plays.
While the child plays the game the test measures and calculates the
child’s responses and response time thus giving the clinician an objective
measure of the child’s performance.
Also, because the test does not include the use of language or numbers
(only symbols), the test is able to rule out any skill deficit as a source of
poor performance on the ADHD assessment.
I have a diagnosis so what now?
Many parents tell me that they believe their child to have
problems with ADHD, but they won’t bother with an ADHD evaluation because they
have no plan to give their child medication.
Of course any parent would have concerns about starting psychotropic
medication. Although medication is often
a treatment option for children and adults with ADHD, it is not the only form
of intervention. Behavioral modification
and therapy is often very helpful in improving functioning for individuals with
ADHD. Additionally, ADHD medications may
be prescribed in a stimulant and/or non-stimulant form. For individuals who already utilize
medication as an option and do not feel that they are receiving the desired
effect, the TOVA may be administered while using ADHD medication in order to
determine the medication/dosage efficacy.
Ultimately, research suggests that a combination of medication plus
therapy is the most effective intervention.
Please feel free to contact our office for additional
information on the TOVA and other services for ADHD.
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