Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is commonly diagnosed during childhood. However, it can be difficult to determine if the child really has this deficiency; some kids are just more active and have trouble concentrating and need time to blow off steam. There are several ADHD screening tools that professionals use to help determine if a child has the disorder or is just busy.

Child Behavior Checklist

The behavior checklist is often used as a starting point to determine if further testing is needed. It is mainly used for children from 6 to 18 years old and contains a rating system of 3 points, with 0 being not true to 2 being very true. Parents or teachers answer 120 questions rating how the child behaves both at school and at home. The score on this checklist can indicate the presence of possible disorders. It also shows how the child externalizes and internalizes problems.

Vanderbilt Teaching Rating Scale and Parent Rating Scale

Teachers who may suspect that a student has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder use the VADTRS in the classroom. These professionals rate the student on 43 different criteria. With the exception of the performance section, the higher the score, the more severe the condition. In the achievement section, a high score indicates exceptional academic and classroom behavior.

Parents also use this rating system to help professionals diagnose the disorder. Caregivers are asked to rate the child on 45 different criteria based on their perceptions of school performance. They also rate the child’s social skills and functions.

Conner Rating Scale

Like the Vanderbilt version, this test asks teachers and parents to rate the child based on different criteria. This test consists of around 27 or 28 questions divided into four different themes: oppositional, cognitive, ADHD index, and hyperactivity. This test uses a four-point scoring system that rates the child from 0 to 3. Like the other tests, the higher the score, the more serious the problem.

system ratio

In addition to surveys completed by parents/caregivers and teachers, clinicians may use the Quotient System as part of the ADHD screening process. This machine measures how restless the child becomes and how distracted he is. During the 15-minute test, the child sits at the computer and the machine asks them to perform a variety of tasks. Although used as a tool in addition to parent and teacher observations, this machine can confirm the diagnosis and can be used to rule it out.

ADHD assessment is a process that begins with teacher and parent observation. Not all children who are busy or active have this disorder. Some kids don’t have a problem paying attention during class, they just have a lot of energy to burn off. However, only a doctor can determine if the child really has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Only then, by sharing these observations with the child’s pediatrician, can a true diagnosis be made and a plan to help the child determined.