People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) exhibit impulsive behavior, inattention, and hyperactivity. They tend to blurt out answers even before questions are asked. They are easily distracted and tend to forget easily.
You may ask, "My friend has all the above-mentioned behaviors. Does it mean he has ADHD?" or "I am used to blurting out in front of people; I am easily distracted, hyperactive, and I have difficulty remembering things. Do I have ADHD?"
There are people who do not have this disorder but are hyperactive, inattentive, and impulsive. For this reason, it is not correct to say that a person has ADHD just because he showed signs of unpleasant or unwanted behavior. If this is the case, then how can we determine if a person has the condition? This is where the ADHD test fits in.
Even doctors who are already experts in their field cannot tell with just one glance whether a person indeed has ADHD. To rule out the presence of the disorder, they need to perform a battery of tests on the individual. Unlike other disorders which may involve laboratory procedures, an ADHD test consists of a series of psychological and intelligence examinations which are specifically designed to determine if the person has a learning disability or worse, ADHD.
There are four types of attention deficit disorder test. These are the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R), Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT), Test of Variables of Attention Continuous Performance Test (TOVA), and the Bender gestalt test.
The WISC-R is used in children ages 6 to 16. Even those who do not know how to write can take this test because this is mainly based on pattern analysis; that is, the children taking this test will deal mainly with patterns.
The WRAT is used to gauge a child's reading comprehension, arithmetic, and ability in spelling.
The TOVA, on the other hand, is a computer test and the Bender gestalt test is a psychological test which uses cards with designs on them.
Doctors may also send out a questionnaire for parents and teachers to fill in. If the patient is an adult, the doctor can have the adult answer the questionnaire. Questions include but are not limited to the following:
o Do you have difficulty concentrating on a certain task?
o Are you easily distracted?
o Do you have a sloppy handwriting?
o Do you always move and fidget?
o Do you have poor communication skills?
o Do you often say things without thinking about the consequence?
o Are you overwhelmed by everyday tasks?
o Are you impatient and have trouble taking turns?
o Are you hyperactive?
If the parent or teacher of the child or the adult taking the test answers yes to most of the questions found in the questionnaire, then the doctor may confirm the presence of ADHD. It is then that he can prescribe the proper medication.
The doctor will likely prescribe medications but parents or ADHD adults can always choose to use alternative treatments to ADHD such homeopathic remedies and herbal remedies. Unlike medications, homeopathic remedies and herbal remedies are safe for children and adults alike.
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