Once you have completed the ADHD checklist and feel that it is a possibility your child has ADHD, there are two routes to follow that will eventually lead you to a diagnosis.

• Contact your GP and tell them about your concerns. They can’t diagnose ADHD themselves but they can make referrals to the appropriate specialists to test for ADHD. You may find your GP will suggest other reasons for your child’s behaviour, like problems at home, mixing with the wrong people, the ‘terrible twos or threes’ or not enough exercise. You are entitled to a second opinion, so don’t be afraid to ask for one if you’re not satisfied. You don’t have to spend money on a private consultation either – a second opinion will be available under the National Health Service (NHS). This is your right.
• Contact your child’s school. The school has to recognise the problem. They may already have done so and can themselves make the referral for a statutory assessment and ADHD tests.

The diagnostic team

A team of health professionals may be involved in the tests for ADHD with your child and the treatment. Among them may be:

• GP.
• Child psychiatrist – deals with children’s mental health.
• Paediatrician – a specialist in children’s illnesses.
• Teacher.
• Neuropsychologist – assesses the links between the brain and behaviour. In addition to assessments, they provide information on how best to deal with changes in the brain due to accident or illness.
• Child psychologist – explores and understands the working of a child’s mind and behaviour.
• Paediatric neurologist – specialises in how a child’s brain works.
• Psychiatric social worker – trained to understand how the environment impacts on mental disorders.
• Educational psychologist – trained to combine psychology with educational issues. They can carry out IQ and other tests to define strengths and weaknesses, work with the school on the most appropriate strategies, contribute to statementing and offer counselling.
• Speech and language specialist – to ensure that your child is diagnosed correctly with ADHD and that they are not experiencing speech and language difficulties for other reasons.
• Audiologist – specialises in hearing loss and balance difficulties.
• Opthalmologist – specialises in diseases of the eye.

Tests for ADHD

• The diagnostic criteria mentioned in chapter 2 of ADHD The Essential Guide (DSM-IV or ICD-10) is used as part of this process. In the UK, ICD-10 is usually preferred and the sub-type hyperkinetic disorder used.
• Some examinations can show the difference between ADHD, mood disorders and learning difficulties. 
• Questionnaires are designed to give a clear picture of your child’s behaviour, emotions and relationships, which in ADHD children would be expected to be far more problematic than those displayed by children of their age and sex. Parents’ and teachers’ questionnaires include: 
  • Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklists – these screen for a number of symptoms displayed by children like attention and aggression.
  • Barkley ADHD Rating Scale – a checklist showing symptom severity at home and school.
  • Conners Teacher and Parent Rating Scales.
  • DuPaul ADHD Rating Scale – a checklist showing symptom severity.
  • Edelbrock Child Attention Problems Rating Scale.
• Psychometric tests are timed tests that measure intellectual ability for thinking and reasoning.
• Tests showing persistence and attention, such as:
  • The Paired Association Learning Test.
  • Continuous Performance Test – for example, the Gordon Diagnostic System – to measure and compare impulse, vigilance and distraction issues.

Extract taken from ADHD - The Essential Guide. For more information on ADHD tests for children, take a look at the book - available now in eBook, printed book and large print formats. Buy the printed version and get the eBook free!