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sarahsweets · Sep 21, 2020 at 03:26 AM

Hey @Scienna: this is what I meant:

Quote:

There is no single medical, physical, or other test for diagnosing ADHD, previously known as ADD. To determine if you or your child has ADHD, a doctor or other health professional will need to be involved. You can expect them to use a number of different tools: a checklist of symptoms, answers to questions about past and present problems, or a medical exam to rule out other causes for symptoms.

Keep in mind that the symptoms of ADHD, such as concentration problems and hyperactivity, can be confused with other disorders and medical problems, including learning disabilities and emotional issues, which require totally different treatments. Just because it looks like ADHD doesn’t mean it is, so getting a thorough assessment and diagnosis is important.

Making the ADHD diagnosis
ADHD looks different in every person, so there is a wide array of criteria to help health professionals reach a diagnosis. It is important to be open and honest with the specialist conducting your evaluation so that they can reach the most accurate conclusion.

Finding a specialist who can diagnose ADHD
Qualified professionals trained in diagnosing ADHD can include clinical psychologists, physicians, or clinical social workers. Choosing a specialist can seem confusing at first. The following steps can help you find the right person to evaluate you or your child.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scienna

Just a quick inquiry, sarahsweets: I'm confused about the statement that there are no tests for ADHD.

Perhaps I'm unclear about the difference between an evaluation and a test, in this context...

And perhaps the results learninglady is waiting on are part of something new, or have something involved that goes deeper than what diagnostic evaluations we're more familiar with...?

- Scienna

There are no tried and true tests for adhd that is why when someone says they are getting tested I chime in, Plenty of people get "tested" and are misdiagnosed as bipolar or told they are not adhd. Its all very subjective and is why you need a specialist.