ADHD Test For Kids: The Signs And Symptoms Of Childhood ADHD
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that six million children aged three to 17 have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). With millions of children living with this disorder, parents may want to know how to determine whether their kids are experiencing symptoms. However, a reliable ADHD test for kids (or at least one that an individual without proper training can administer) may not exist. In addition, a simple ADHD test may not be sufficient for parents to recognize whether their child is experiencing this disorder. Instead, it may be necessary to understand the professional assessment process, as well as the signs and symptoms of ADHD in children. Parents interested in learning whether their children may benefit from the formal diagnostic process may benefit from consulting a licensed therapist in person or online.
ADHD tests for children
While there may be at-home or online tests that claim to test children for ADHD, these tend to be unreliable and incapable of officially diagnosing the disorder. Some tests, such as the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), may be effective as a preliminary assessment tool for adult ADHD, but this type of assessment may not be accurate for children.
According to the UK National Health Service, there may not be a simple test to determine whether a child is experiencing ADHD. However, a medical doctor or mental health professional may be able to provide a diagnosis after a detailed assessment. Qualified doctors or professionals may include the following:
- Pediatricians
- Primary care physicians
- School psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Clinical psychologists
- Social workers
- Licensed professional counselors
Assessments may involve multiple elements, including a physical examination. This examination may be used to determine whether a child is experiencing any physical conditions that could manifest in similar ways to the symptoms of ADHD.
The physical assessments a doctor uses may vary, but could include CT scans, MRIs, EEGs, blood tests, hearing tests, and eyesight tests.
A specialist’s ADHD assessment will likely also involve asking the child a series of questions and interviewing significant people in their lives (such as their parents or teachers) to get a better understanding of their behavior. This portion of the assessment may help them rule out other mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder, autism, sensory processing disorder, and anxiety disorders.
Outside of an official assessment and diagnosis, it may be helpful to watch for the signs and symptoms of childhood ADHD. If you notice that your child is displaying any of these signs or symptoms, it may be beneficial to contact a physician or mental health professional.
Signs and symptoms of childhood ADHD
According to the CDC, there may be a variety of signs that a child is experiencing ADHD, including the following:
- Trouble paying attention
- Difficulty controlling impulsive behaviors
- Difficulty considering the consequences of their actions
- Frequent daydreaming
- Forgetfulness or frequent loss of items
- Unnecessary risk-taking
- Frequent careless mistakes
- Difficulty resisting temptation
- Struggling to take turns
- Difficulty getting along with others
- A tendency to be overactive, squirm, or fidget
These signs may differ from the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in children. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5), children up to age 16 must experience at least six symptoms each of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity for a period of at least six months to qualify for an official diagnosis.
Inattention symptoms for children with ADHD
- Makes careless mistakes or doesn’t give close attention to details in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities
- Often has difficulty organizing activities and tasks
- Has trouble holding attention on play activities or tasks
- Doesn’t follow through on instructions or doesn’t finish schoolwork, chores, or workplace duties
- Is often forgetful during daily activities
- Is often easily distracted
- Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
- Dislikes, avoids, or is reluctant to do tasks requiring mental effort expended over a long period
- Loses items that they need for tasks and activities (such as school materials, books, pencils, wallets, keys, eyeglasses, or mobile telephones)
Hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms for children with ADHD
- Does not stay seated in situations when remaining in one’s seat is expected
- Taps hands or feet, fidgets, or squirms in their seat
- Climbs or runs about at inappropriate times or in inappropriate settings
- Is often unable to play or take part in quiet leisure activities
- Acts as if “driven by a motor” or is often “on the go”
- Blurts out answers before the question has been completed
- Interrupts or intrudes on others
- Has trouble waiting their turn
- Talks excessively
In general, these symptoms must be present to the extent that they disrupt an individual’s life and are inappropriate for their developmental level. In addition, several symptoms must normally be present before the age of 12 in two or more settings and may not be better explained by another mental health disorder.
Depending on the symptoms a child is experiencing, they may have one of three specific presentations of ADHD: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, or combined presentation.
- Predominantly inattentive: Also known as inattentive type ADHD, the predominantly inattentive presentation of ADHD typically involves difficulty with working memory and higher levels of distractibility. These individuals usually display a higher number of inattentive symptoms.
- Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive: Those with the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation of ADHD tend to have trouble controlling their behavior or staying in one place. These individuals often display a higher number of hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms.
- Combined presentation: Combined presentation ADHD can involve a mix of restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and risky behavior. These individuals tend to display a mix of both inattentive and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms.
Understanding the symptoms and presentations of ADHD can be beneficial for those looking to recognize signs of the disorder in their children. However, it may also be helpful to understand the potential causes or reasons that a person may develop ADHD.
What causes ADHD?
While the causes of ADHD may still require further research, the CDC has listed several potential causes and risk factors:
- Low birth weight
- Premature delivery
- Exposure to environmental risks during pregnancy or at a young age
- Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy
- Brain injury
Research indicates that genetic factors could also play a role in the development of ADHD. In the World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement, numerous studies were used to show that genes and their interaction with the environment could have a significant effect on whether an individual develops ADHD.
Researchers concluded that, in most cases, the cause of the disorder may not be a single genetic or environmental risk factor, but rather a combination of multiple risk factors.
No matter the cause, it may be helpful to explore various treatment approaches to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. While these treatments may vary, one potentially effective approach involves therapy.
Can therapy help a child with ADHD?
Research indicates that behavioral therapy often benefits children living with ADHD. One study involved 201 preschoolers diagnosed with ADHD who were split into two groups. One group received biofeedback and was provided with a health education booklet, and the other received interventions that included behavioral therapy. Children were evaluated at the beginning of the study to serve as a baseline and again six months and 12 months after the intervention. Researchers found that improvements in the behavioral intervention group tended to be more significant than those of the other group.
Parents of children with ADHD may also benefit from seeing a mental health professional. A therapist may be able to introduce parents to valuable strategies to help their children cope with ADHD at school and at home. In addition, individuals can discuss the stress and challenges they may face as parents of children with ADHD. Therapy can also provide a place for parents to discuss their struggles outside of parenting, such as those they may be experiencing at work, in their romantic relationships, or with friends and family.
While some may prefer to see a therapist in-person, doing so may not always be convenient or accessible. Some areas may not have enough available in-person therapists, which could make it difficult to get an appointment. Other individuals may want to use different communication formats, such as online chat, phone calls, or video conferences. In these cases, it may be beneficial to explore alternative options, such as online therapy.
Research indicates that online therapy can be as effective as its in-person counterpart. One systematic review looked at 12 randomized controlled trials including 931 total participants in order to compare the efficacy of telehealth and face-to-face delivery of psychotherapy. Researchers found that there were generally no significant differences between telehealth and face-to-face therapy, including when addressing difficulties related to childhood mental health challenges.
Takeaway
While parents may want to determine whether their children are living with ADHD with an at-home or online test, doing so may not be possible. Testing or diagnosing ADHD is generally only possible through a mental health professional or medical doctor, such as a pediatrician, primary care physician, or clinical psychologist. The assessments these professionals administer may seek to rule out other conditions and disorders while also identifying whether the child is experiencing symptoms of ADHD. Parents may also benefit from working with a therapist to learn effective strategies to use with their children and to address any stressors or challenges they may be experiencing themselves.
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