Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a clinical diagnosis that is diagnosed accurately by a psychiatrist through an interview. However there are several objective based tests that complement the clinical interview and aid in establishing a diagnosis. These tests include CPT3 Conners Test, TOVA-9, Creyos Cognitive Testing, and the QbTest.
Furthermore, subjective based questionnaires which can aid clinicians in making a diagnosis of ADHD are available. Certainly, these include the Vanderbilt questionnaire for children, which is administered to parents and teachers for children. Meanwhile, for adults, another commonly administered questionnaire is the Adult ADHD Self Report Scale (ASRS).
However, the diagnosis of ADHD in adults is more complex as ADHD is conceptualized as a childhood condition. However, it is possible that due to cultural factors or lack of awareness, the diagnosis can be missed in children who persist with ADHD symptoms into their adulthood
Mostly, ADHD testing via Conners CPT3 or TOVA-9, are administered via a computer-based program and entail the rapid presentation of a series of visual or auditory stimuli (eg, numbers, letters, number/letter sequences or geometric figures) over a set timeframe. Typically, the TOVA-9 Test requires an individual to watch and press a button whenever a certain shape appears.
Neuropsychological testing is available in person with a neuropsychologist who may conduct a series of tests. Testing is an intensive battery of tests typically through a psychologist or neuropsychologist. This testing can sometimes take multiple days to complete but typically provides very extensive reporting. Often times, insurance companies do not cover neuropsychological testing or many practitioners do not take insurance to adminster this type of testing. The cost of neuropsychological testing can sometimes be several thousand dollars.
The CANTAB has modules for several brain functions and processes including psychomotor and motor speed, reasoning and planning abilities, memory and attention, and frontal, temporal and hippocampal dysfunctions. Thus, it allows assessment of neuro-cognitive dysfunctions associated with neurologic disorders, medication side effects, and neuro-cognitive syndromes. Finally, the mean time for the battery administration is 40 minutes.
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