ADHD Testing and Assessment in Bedford, Nova Scotia
What is ADHD / ADD?
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD for short) is a condition defined by persistent difficulties with sustained attention and /or impulsivity that significantly interfere with a child’s or adult’s functioning across multiple situations (e.g., at school, work, or interpersonally).
ADHD is one of the most common disorders of childhood and one that many parents worry about when reports come home from school with words such as “distractible”, “over-active”, “inattentive”, etc.
ADHD is a real disorder - it is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects millions of children and adults. Unfortunately there is evidence that ADHD / ADD may be over-diagnosed or misdiagnosed based on limited evidence, improper testing, and inadequate interviews. Obviously, the wrong diagnosis can have serious consequences such as a lack of access to treatment, improper or unnecessary use of medication, misuse of resources (money, time, energy) or unnecessary suffering with a treatable condition.
ADHD is one of the most common disorders of childhood and one that many parents worry about when reports come home from school with words such as “distractible”, “over-active”, “inattentive”, etc.
ADHD is a real disorder - it is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects millions of children and adults. Unfortunately there is evidence that ADHD / ADD may be over-diagnosed or misdiagnosed based on limited evidence, improper testing, and inadequate interviews. Obviously, the wrong diagnosis can have serious consequences such as a lack of access to treatment, improper or unnecessary use of medication, misuse of resources (money, time, energy) or unnecessary suffering with a treatable condition.
What are the Symptoms of ADHD / ADD?
ADHD (as the full name suggests) is defined in terms of symptoms related to inattention and hyperactivity / impulsivity. There is a strong overlap between hyperactive and impulsive symptoms - which is why they are grouped together under the same category.
Additionally, whether an individual has more prominent attention difficulties or hyperactive tendencies often predicts the types of impairments they will have. For example, children who primarily struggle with attention problems are more likely to have academic difficulties, learning disorders, working (short term) memory problems, and slower cognitive processing speed. In contrast, children with more hyperactive symptoms are more likely to be disruptive in the classroom, be seen as aggressive or oppositional, have difficulties with peer relations, and suffer accidental injuries.
Specific diagnostic symptoms of ADHD include:
Additionally, whether an individual has more prominent attention difficulties or hyperactive tendencies often predicts the types of impairments they will have. For example, children who primarily struggle with attention problems are more likely to have academic difficulties, learning disorders, working (short term) memory problems, and slower cognitive processing speed. In contrast, children with more hyperactive symptoms are more likely to be disruptive in the classroom, be seen as aggressive or oppositional, have difficulties with peer relations, and suffer accidental injuries.
Specific diagnostic symptoms of ADHD include:
Inattention:
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Hyperactivity
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How is ADHD / ADD Diagnosed?
To be absolutely clear, there is no single test, interview, questionnaire, or procedure that signifies the presence of ADHD. A careful evaluation by an experienced mental health professional using multiple standardized measures, interviews, questionnaires, parent reports, and teacher observations (if applicable) is by far the best way to assess ADHD. An assessment may also include measures of intelligence, memory, and academic performance, partially to rule out other issues but also because those with attention problems often have telling performance patterns on these tests.
It is very important to understand that the symptoms of ADHD are on a continuum - it is not an “all or nothing” disorder. Just like there is great variability with regard to our height, weight, and intelligence (for example), there is also variability with traits like attention, distractibility, and preferred activity levels…for all of us.
The fact is that having high activity levels, short attention spans, and sometimes being impulsive is normal for children! At Bedford Psychologists, diagnosing ADHD means that we are looking to identify individuals on the extreme end of this continuum - so much so that these tendencies are significantly interfering with their ability to function in normal settings and are clearly problematic compared to other children of similar age.
It is very important to understand that the symptoms of ADHD are on a continuum - it is not an “all or nothing” disorder. Just like there is great variability with regard to our height, weight, and intelligence (for example), there is also variability with traits like attention, distractibility, and preferred activity levels…for all of us.
The fact is that having high activity levels, short attention spans, and sometimes being impulsive is normal for children! At Bedford Psychologists, diagnosing ADHD means that we are looking to identify individuals on the extreme end of this continuum - so much so that these tendencies are significantly interfering with their ability to function in normal settings and are clearly problematic compared to other children of similar age.
What are the Treatments for ADHD?
There is considerable confusion about what ADHD really is, what causes it, and how it is best treated. This may have come from the variable nature of the disorder itself (symptoms can look quite different from one person to the next), misconceptions in the popular media, flat out wrong information online, and unclear diagnostic criteria in the past. Today however, we probably know more about ADHD than any mental health disorder with an onset in childhood.
We are also gaining a better understanding of what works for treatment… and what doesn’t. For example:
We are also gaining a better understanding of what works for treatment… and what doesn’t. For example:
- General play / child therapy has not proven to be an effective treatment.
- Behavior therapy, coaching, classroom interventions, parent training, certain pharmaceutical treatments, and specialized camps have demonstrated efficacy.
- Special diets and / or natural supplements may help a portion of those diagnosed with ADHD.
- Neurofeedback and computer based cognitive interventions are promising, but have not yet established efficacy.
Who Can Diagnosis ADHD / ADD?
ADHD / ADD is a very misunderstood disorder (see Myths & Facts About ADHD). We have talked to parents who report that their child was “diagnosed” with ADHD by a teacher, following a short 30-minute interview, or based on very limited testing.
ADHD can only be diagnosed by a qualified and experienced mental health or medical professional (most often a psychologist). As noted above, the implications of a misdiagnosis are serious and our goal is make sure that we get the diagnosis right (whether or not this produces a diagnosis of ADHD).
Simply put, an ADHD assessment at Bedford Psychologists will not necessary produce a diagnosis of ADHD. We are confident that our clients want the correct diagnosis and helpful recommendations…not just a diagnostic label if this is not supported by the evidence. See our approach to ADHD and Learning Disorder assessment for more information.
ADHD can only be diagnosed by a qualified and experienced mental health or medical professional (most often a psychologist). As noted above, the implications of a misdiagnosis are serious and our goal is make sure that we get the diagnosis right (whether or not this produces a diagnosis of ADHD).
Simply put, an ADHD assessment at Bedford Psychologists will not necessary produce a diagnosis of ADHD. We are confident that our clients want the correct diagnosis and helpful recommendations…not just a diagnostic label if this is not supported by the evidence. See our approach to ADHD and Learning Disorder assessment for more information.
How Do I Find Answers for ADHD?
Is your child struggling at school due to symptoms of inattention, poor concentration, or hyperactivity? Are you wondering if behavioral problems, peer relationship issues, or general frustrations at home could be caused by ADHD / ADD?
Are you an adult wondering if concentration, focus, and attention problems could be related to undiagnosed adult ADHD?
If so, a proper ADHD assessment is the first step to getting help and taking action to address these issues. If you are considering an ADHD assessment, please feel free to contact us, ask us any questions you may have, book an appointment for an assessment, or use the contact form below.
Are you an adult wondering if concentration, focus, and attention problems could be related to undiagnosed adult ADHD?
If so, a proper ADHD assessment is the first step to getting help and taking action to address these issues. If you are considering an ADHD assessment, please feel free to contact us, ask us any questions you may have, book an appointment for an assessment, or use the contact form below.
Availabilities:
Ages 7 - 17: Accepting
Ages 18 - 29: Accepting
Ages 30+: Not currently accepting
Note: ADHD assessments may also be accepted as part of Learning Disability testing
Ages 7 - 17: Accepting
Ages 18 - 29: Accepting
Ages 30+: Not currently accepting
Note: ADHD assessments may also be accepted as part of Learning Disability testing