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What to Expect at Your Child's ADHD Assessment
The Assessment
Testing for ADHD is a comprehensive assessment. This will involve a great deal of information gathering via a parent interview, child interview, and possibly educational and/or psychological testing, and a physical exam.
Once our ADHD Specialist has all the necessary information, which they may gather from you, teachers, and your child, they will then make a judgment regarding the presence of ADHD.
Expect the assessment to last at least two hours, or longer if your child also needs additional tests.
Preparation
Before the initial appointment, you and your child will be requested to complete some questionnaires online and submit these back to us prior to the clinic appointment. These forms will include general information about your child and family, as well as your child's developmental, medical, and behavioural history. You should also gather the following items to bring with you to the evaluation:
- Your child's medical records – including the red book if available.
- Names and contact information for teachers and any other adults involved in a supervisory role with your child, such as in after-school care. These individuals may also be asked to fill out forms, which you should bring with you if asked.
- Any prior testing results such as IQ testing, achievement tests, personality assessments, and any previous ADHD evaluations, as well as the contact information for and names of the professionals who conducted them.
- Report cards, school reports and any notes from your child's school pertaining to their academic performance and behaviour.
- Individualized education plans (IEPs), if applicable
Parent Interview
A major part of your child’s assessment is the parent interview, where the ADHD Specialist will ask you about the ADHD or ADD symptoms your child is displaying and how they are affecting your child and home life.
You may also be asked to fill out checklists and/or rating scales about your child's behaviour, if you haven't already, or given additional ones that add to that intake information. Ideally, both parents should be involved in completing these forms and in the interview itself if possible.
One way you can prepare for this interview is to think about and write down a list of your specific concerns regarding your child. Do your best to have answers to these questions.
Questions You May Be Asked
- When did these issues first begin?
- How long have they been occurring?
- When and where do these problems occur? (home, school, in the neighbourhood or community, in after-school activities, with other peers, etc.)
- Do these problems occur more often or to a degree that is beyond what you think is typical of other children the same age?
Medical Questions
Though the ADHD Specialist will review any medical records you provide, they will also likely want to discuss your child's medical history with you.
Though there are many things you may be asked about, some possible questions to prepare for include:
- Is there a family history of any diagnosed behaviour issues including ADHD or ADD?
- If your child has a chronic illness, how has it been managed?
- Where there any challenges with the pregnancy?
- Has your child ever had a head injury, or seizures?
- Does your child have a history of bedwetting or stool soiling?
Family Issues
It's also important for you to share with the doctor any family issues that may be affecting your child:
- Has the family experienced any recent changes, such as a move, birth of a new baby, or transition to a new school
- Is anyone in the family struggling with something, such as a health issue?
- Has there been any family discord or chronic tension?
- Has the family experienced any loss, such as the death of a pet?
Other issues may be going on that are more sensitive and difficult to talk about, or that you think are irrelevant. Don't be afraid to share anything. The person conducting the assessment is best equipped to determine what could be playing into your child's behaviour. Though the ADHD evaluation is due to the problems and frustrations your child is experiencing, be sure to also jot down a list of your child’s strengths. This will help give the assessing clinician a better-rounded picture of your child.
Child Interview
In addition to meeting with you, the ADHD Specialist will also meet with your child. They will ask about your child’s understanding of why he or she is visiting the clinic today, as well as his or her views regarding the concerns that led to this assessment.
This part of the interview serves as an informal evaluation of your child’s behaviour and developmental skills. Children often behave differently in one-on-one situations that are new and unfamiliar.
The assessing clinician is well aware of this and realizes that symptoms may not be present during the interview at the level that is creating concerns for you and/or your child's school.
Educational and Psychological Testing
Educational testing (IQ and achievement) and psychological testing, while not used to diagnose ADHD, may be indicated if there is concern regarding a specific learning difficulty or other emotional and/or developmental issue.
If this is the case, we usually advise that this is discussed further with your child’s school in the first instance and agree whether your child would benefit from being assessed by the school’s Educational Psychologist.
If however you wish to pursue the Educational Psychological testing privately then we can discuss this option further with you.
Physical Examination
A paediatric physical examination and neurodevelopmental screening of your child may also be performed in order to rule out any other medical conditions that may be producing the ADHD-like symptoms.
Next Steps
Once the comprehensive assessment has been completed, we will write a detailed report for you and your GP which will include a diagnosis (if one is made) as well as any treatment recommendations.
We will also provide you with written information about ADHD/ADD including further details of our post diagnostic support groups we offer (if you do decide to access these interventions through our post diagnostic service).
The ADHD Specialist will meet with you to discuss their findings and determine next steps, which may include psychological therapy, coaching, medication, parental support, behavioural training, and/or lifestyle changes.
