Attention defiticit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is usually diagnosed during childhood or adolescence. While there is no laboratory test for this condition, it is usually diagnosed through a systematic process, which includes a medical examination to rule out other conditions that can be causing ADHD symptoms, a clinical interview with the family and the child, and psychological testing. The purpose of most psychological testing is to measure the potential for a person to learn, which can help clarify the nature of any deficits in processing information. While there are many tests available to help diagnose ADHD, there are three common methods.
Connors Continuous Performance Test
The Connors Continuous Performance Test (CPT) measures attention span or the ability to focus as well as impulsivity. The test measures errors of "omission and commision," where omission errors measure inattention, and commision errors measure impulsiveness. Both focus and impulsivity are considered symptoms of ADHD.
IQ Testing
An IQ test to measure intelligence is used to identify a learning disability or ADHD. An IQ test often administered is the WAIS-II, which evaluates a person's cognitive strengths and weaknesses by looking at different types of information processed by the brain. According to a website maintained by Dr. Kathleen Ross-Kidder with George Washington University's Department of Psychology, the results of the WAIS-II are totaled up to provide a measure of overall intelligence potential, and can help a psychologist determine if ADHD or a learning disability is present.
Bendar Gestalt Test of Visual Motor Integration
Psychological testing to diagnose ADHD may also include tests targeting specific types of information processing, such as the Bender Gestalt Test of Visual Motor Integration. This test assesses visual-motor memory and skills. When a visual-motor deficit is noted, ADHD is often suspected. Information from tests like the Bendar Gestalt help to support findings from the other tests by clarifying certain aspects of a person's cognitive ability.
