ADHD is a very common neurobehavioral disorder among children, characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, academic underachievement, or behavior problems. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, and many other disorders have similar symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and certain types of learning disabilities.
Diagnosis of the Three Common Types of ADHD
Three types of ADHD are identified:
- Predominantly Inattentive Type: easily distracted, has difficulty organizing tasks, paying attention to details, following instructions or conversations.
- Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: fidgety and talkative, feels restless, has difficulty sitting still for long periods (for meals, homework, etc.) and may be accident-prone. Younger children may be overly active and have trouble with impulse control (interrupting others, grabbing things, speaking inappropriately.)
- Combined Type: Symptoms noted above are equally present in this type.
The number of people diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has increased by an average of 3% a year between 1997 and 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Due to increased awareness, physicians and the public are more apt to seek treatment for symptoms of ADHD today than in the past.
Assessment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderCan Be Complex
Deciding if a child has ADHD is a complex assessment, involving several steps. Symptoms of the disorder include inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Commonly, ADHD is treated with medication, behavioral therapy, and parental training and support. Preferable treatment plans should include close monitoring and consistent follow-up assessments to track changes in behavior.
Other Behavioral Disorders Often Accompany Hyperactivity and Inattention
About half of the children referred to clinics with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have behavioral disorders as well as ADHD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The combination of ADHD with other behavioral disorders presents complex challenges to those affected with the disorder, as well as to their families, healthcare providers, and educators.
Children with ADHD may have difficulties with relationships, including peer rejection and isolation, behavior and mood disorders, anxiety, and substance abuse and delinquency as teenagers, including a greater likelihood for injury or high risk behavior. Teenagers with ADHD have more traffic accidents and are twice as likely to have their driver's licenses suspended. Therefore, it is very important that clinicians screen every child with ADHD for other disorders and problems.
New Bio Behavioral Computer Diagnosis of ADHD is Available
The Quotient™ ADHD System, as explained by Dr. Thor Bergersen, Needham, Massachusetts Psychiatrist, uses the child's physical movement as he focuses on a computer prompt to test his ability to stay still and focus. The task may become fairly tedious and the subject may lose focus after several minutes.
The new Quotient ADHD System "... collects and reports objective, accurate data on hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. Results can be seen in as little as one to two minutes. The clinician integrates the Quotient™ ADHD Test report with information from other assessment tools and the clinical evaluation to guide treatment decisions."
How Computer Test Results Aid in More Effective Treatment
The results of this test can be used to objectively quantify the effectiveness of a treatment program. Once a measurement has been established, the physician can come back and test later to assess the effectiveness of whatever therapy, medication, or other intervention is being used. The clinician integrates the Quotient™ ADHD Test report with information from these other assessments to evaluate and perhaps to modify his treatment decisions.
Up until now there has been no known laboratory or imaging tests to reliably diagnose ADHD. Assessments have typically relied on behavioral symptoms, anecdotal reports from parents and teachers, and the elimination of other disorders by doctors and clinicians. Many doctors believe that the disorder is both over-diagnosed and under-diagnosed. Hopefully, this new test will be a breakthrough in clearer diagnoses and more effective treatment plans for this disorder.
Sources:
Alvarez, Dr. Manny, Fox News Health Editor, Testing for ADHD, A New Computer Test Helps Doctors Get a Proper ADHD Diagnosis, video clip, 2-18-10.
Simon, Harvey, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. University of Maryland Medical Center, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder- Diagnosis. January 22, 2009. Accessed 2-19-10.
Linda Sue Meagher - Linda Sue loves animals, writing & art and considers herself a student of Human Nature. She loves outdoor adventures like skiing and ...
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