ADHD Testing & Diagnosis Information
Are you feeling like concentrating is more difficult for you than others? Are you struggling to get things done at work and at home but not sure why? If you’ve thought about how ADHD may be making things more challenging for you, we can help.
As we are all pulled in many directions constantly throughout our day, feeling disorganized and distractible can be normal but it could also be something more. If you feel as though you may need more support and would like to pursue ADHD testing, please read below.
WHAT IS ADHD TESTING?
ADHD testing typically involves a comprehensive assessment and the goal is to determine whether an individual meets the criteria for Attention-Deficit/
WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF ADHD TESTING?
- Clinical Interview: A thorough interview with the individual to gather information about symptoms, developmental history, family history, and daily functioning.
- Behavioral and Symptom Rating Scales: These are standardized questionnaires completed by the individual and sometimes others who know the person well. These scales assess the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms across different settings.
- Medical Evaluation: Rule out other possible medical conditions or factors that could be contributing to the symptoms.
- Psychological Testing: In some cases, psychological tests may be administered to assess cognitive abilities, academic achievement, executive functioning, and emotional status.
- Criteria Evaluation: Assessment against the criteria for ADHD as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which includes specific criteria for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
- Feedback and Diagnosis: Based on the information gathered from interviews, questionnaires, observations, and possibly testing, the clinician will determine whether the individual meets the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
It’s important to note that ADHD testing is not a single test but rather a comprehensive evaluation that considers multiple sources of information to make an accurate diagnosis. This process helps ensure that the diagnosis is based on a thorough understanding of the individual’s symptoms, history, and current functioning.
WHY IS TESTING NECESSARY FOR ADHD DIAGNOSIS?
It’s important to understand not only if you do have ADHD, but also how it impacts the way in which you process information. With this information, the psychologist can generate suggestions based on how you can improve your attention and retention of critical information.
HOW DO I GET STARTED WITH THE ADHD TESTING PROCESS?
Once you fill out the pre-registration form, our billing team will check your benefits to see what your insurance will cover. Then a member of our administrative team will call you back, explain what your out of pocket costs are likely to be, and share with you the intake paperwork. Once that has been completed, then you will be scheduled for your intake with Dr. Bretz or another ADHD Testing provider.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE ADHD TESTING?
During your initial virtual intake appointment, you will meet with Dr. Bretz to discuss your history of concentration difficulties. She will assign a testing battery for you to take from the comfort of your own home. Then after you take the tests, she will write the report and meet with you again to go over the results and what she thinks could help.
If you’d like to complete a sample cognitive test that is short and engaging, start here. This sample test consists of a 90-second cognitive test that will objectively measure your attention. Once the test is complete, you will see how you’ve performed relative to the general population. This sample test is a complimentary introduction to an offering from Columbus Behavioral Health geared toward measuring and monitoring how core areas of cognition, that are key to your quality of life, are progressing throughout treatment.
We look forward to working with you on your journey to understanding your mental health.
