Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTests for ADHDDiagnostic CriteriaAt the DoctorMedical HistoryThe Assessment ProcessNext in ADHD GuideHow Is ADHD Treated for Children and Adults?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Tests for ADHD
Diagnostic Criteria
At the Doctor
Medical History
The Assessment Process
Next in ADHD Guide
Close
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can’t be diagnosed with a physical test, like a blood test or an X-ray. Instead, a health professional uses anevaluation process to diagnose ADHD.
During the evaluation, a professional gathers information to determine if the criteria for ADHD are met. The criteria come from theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the official diagnostic guide used in the United States. Such tests can be used to diagnose ADHD in both children and adults.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
The Best Online Resources for ADHD We Tried and Tested
Is ADHD Overdiagnosed?
Some of the specific assessments that may be used when testing for ADHD include:
In addition to self-report and interview-based assessments, health professionals may also utilize the Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid (NEBA) System. This involves measuring brain wave patterns, which tend to be higher in children with ADHD.This ADHD test is approved for use in children from ages six through 17.
What to Know About Adult ADHD Testing
There are three main types of ADHD—inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined. Regardless of the specific presentation of ADHD, several conditions must be met in order to arrive at an officialdiagnosis:
Inattentive Type
For children up to 16 years old, six or more symptoms of inattention must be present, while people 17 and older must exhibit five or more symptoms. These symptoms must be present for at least six months to suggest a diagnosis of ADHD:
Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
The same age- and time-based criteria as above are necessary for an ADHD diagnosis based on symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity:
While ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood, symptoms persist as people age but may go undiagnosed until adulthood. The results of one study suggest that people may also experience “late-onset” ADHD in which they develop ADHD symptoms in young adulthood, a syndrome that appears to be distinct from childhood-onset ADHD.
ADHD Severity
In the process of diagnosing someone with ADHD, a doctor will also indicate severity:
How Is ADHD Severity Measured?
The Importance of an Accurate Diagnosis
You might be tempted to avoid getting an official diagnosis for yourself or your child. After all, what’s the point if you don’t plan to takemedication? Or, perhaps you’re concerned that being labeled with ADHD might hurt more than it helps.
But, there are many advantages to getting an ADHD diagnosis. Getting a diagnosis can help you or your child get the appropriate treatment and help rule out other conditions. While conditions such as autism, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, conduct disorders, and anxiety disorders can mimic symptoms of ADHD, they are distinct diagnoses.
Getting diagnosed can be the key to getting help—even if you don’t plan to use medication as part of your treatment.
There is also an emotional benefit. Thesymptomsassociated with ADHD can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, or embarrassment about underachieving. Or, it can lead to a lot of frustration over the amount of time it takes to complete tasks. A diagnosis may help reduce those emotions.
Accommodations at school or in theworkplacecan be granted when you show written evidence of a diagnosis. Small changes, like moving your workspace to a quiet area or being granted more time on tests can make a big difference.
Once you’ve been tested for ADHD, you can begin a course of treatment that will help make life more manageable.
Conditions That Can Produce ADHD-Like Symptoms
Professionals Who Diagnose ADHD
Several different professionals are qualified to provide testing for ADHD and make a diagnosis. Apsychiatrist, psychologist,psychotherapist, neurologist, and some physicians can diagnose ADHD. Before booking an appointment, ask if the care provider has experience diagnosing ADHD.
Some pediatricians and general practitioners do diagnose ADHD. If your physician suspects you or your child has ADHD, you might ask for a referral to a specialist to conduct further assessment.
ADHD cannot be diagnosed online. However, there are many ADHD quizzes and questionnaires available online that act as a helpful self-screening process. Taking a quiz can give you the confidence to reach out to a health professional for a formal diagnosis.
I Think I Have ADHD: What to Do and Where to Go
What to Share With Your Treatment Provider
If possible, bring copies of any appropriate records such as medical, psychological, school/employment records to the appointment. Be prepared to give a detailed social and family history.
Many healthcare providers will send you a questionnaire to complete the appointment. Be sure to bring the completed forms with you to the appointment.
They may also send the questionnaire to other people with your consent, such as your child’s teacher or daycare provider.
ADHD Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Download PDF
Sign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Sign Up
Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
Though it varies, a typical assessment for ADHD in children or adults may last around one to three hours. Every practitioner conducts the assessment in their own way, but you can expect an in-person interview covering topics such as development, health, family, and lifestyle history.
The clinician may request to interview other people. For adults, they might want to talk to their partners or other family members. In the case of children, the clinician may want to talk to a teacher, coach, or daycare provider.
Questionnaires, rating scales, intellectual screenings, and measures of sustained attention and distractibility may all be part of the assessment.You may be asked to elaborate on things such as:
Your medical history is an important part of the evaluation. If you have not had a medical exam recently, one might be recommended to rule out medical causes for your symptoms.
While psychological testing is not the sole basis for diagnosing ADHD, it may be recommended to support conclusions and provide a more comprehensive assessment. You may also be screened for learning disabilities.
Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
Get Help Now
We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
A Word From Verywell
Don’t feel rushed to make decisions about treatment; allow yourself a little time to process the new information before moving on to the next steps.
Once you’re ready, you can meet with your doctor to determine what course of treatment is best for you, which may include therapy, medication, and/or lifestyle changes.
How Is ADHD Treated?
6 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Loo SK, Makeig S.Clinical utility of EEG in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a research update.Neurotherapeutics. 2012;9(3):569-87. doi:10.1007/s13311-012-0131-z
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD.
Agnew-Blais JC, Polanczyk GV, Danese A, Wertz J, Moffitt TE, Arseneault L.Evaluation of the persistence, remission, and emergence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in young adulthood.JAMA Psychiatry. 2016;73(7):713. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0465
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).About ADHD – Overview.
Banaschewski T, Becker K, Döpfner M, Holtmann M, Rösler M, Romanos M.Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2017;114(9):149–159. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0149
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed). Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment (Fourth Edition). The Guildford Press. New York. 2014.
Meet Our Review Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
What is your feedback?
