ADHD Testing for Children

Every child is distractible sometimes. ADHD is different in degree and in staying power: the problems show up in more than one setting, they've been there for a while, and they get in the way of learning, friendships or family life.

What ADHD Looks Like in Children

ADHD is usually described in three presentations:

For a diagnosis, symptoms need to have started in childhood, appear in at least two settings such as home and school, and cause real problems in daily life. That's why a careful history and teacher input matter as much as the testing itself.

Why Testing Goes Beyond a Checklist

Checklists ask how often a child seems inattentive. They can't tell you whether the inattention comes from ADHD, from a reading problem that makes worksheets exhausting, from worry, or from not sleeping. A full evaluation tests those possibilities directly. It also catches the many children who have ADHD and something else, such as a learning disability or anxiety, which changes what help they need.

What the Evaluation Measures

• Visual and auditory attention
• Executive functioning: planning, organizing, working memory
• Auditory and visual memory
• Processing speed
• Cognitive ability (IQ)
• Reading, writing and math
• Social and emotional functioning
• Behavior at home and at school

What You Leave With

A clear answer about whether ADHD is present, what else may be contributing, and a written plan. The recommendations are specific: which classroom accommodations to ask for, which home routines are worth the effort, and what your child's pediatrician should know. Families who need a 504 plan or IEP can bring the report to the school. See 504 plans and IEPs.

Young for the Grade?

The youngest children in a class are more likely to be seen as inattentive simply because they're younger than their classmates. Comparing a child with others of the same age, rather than the same grade, is one of the things standardized testing does well.

Questions Parents Ask