| Testing for ADHD can be a challenge. There is no | | | | promotes this test reports that this is the most |
| available test that 'proves' that a person has ADHD. | | | | accurate non-invasive testing method for ADHD. The |
| Thorough testing requires multiple screening tool and | | | | test uses a computer program and motion detectors |
| assessment. The accurate diagnosis of attention | | | | placed on the individual's forehead and shins to |
| disorders is difficult but essential as there are multiple | | | | evaluate hyperactivity, inattention, and Impulsiveness. |
| adverse outcomes related to undiagnosed and | | | | There is very little information in the literature on |
| untreated ADHD. Unfortunately, the traditional | | | | using this test for the initial diagnosis of ADHD. The |
| method of ADHD diagnosis, which relies on the | | | | studies that I was able to find evaluating this took |
| completion of symptom surveys by parents and | | | | looked at the reliability of this tool for assessing the |
| teachers, is considered by many people to be highly | | | | effectiveness of stimulant medication. The |
| subjective. | | | | Quotient(TM) ADHD seems to work well in this |
| Russell Barkley has reported that the degree of | | | | regard but these studies do not answer the question |
| agreement between parents and teachers for any | | | | of how useful this test is for identifying ADHD |
| dimension of child behavior are modest, ranging in the | | | | There have been many studies done on the use of |
| 30% to 50% range. This lack of agreement between | | | | the continuous performance task test, known as |
| teacher and parent can be problematic as the DSM | | | | CPT, as a diagnostic tool. The results of this test |
| criteria for diagnosing ADHD requires that the ADHD | | | | have all been positive for identifying a problem with |
| symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and | | | | attention and/or impulsiveness but there are |
| inattentiveness be present in at least 2-3 | | | | problems with the interpretation of these results. The |
| environments. | | | | CPT can identify a problem with attention but it does |
| Many parents are reluctant to medicate a child with | | | | determine that these problems are caused by ADHD. |
| ADHD unless there is an objective 'test' which | | | | An abnormal CPT could be the result of another |
| positively identifies the presence of this disorder. | | | | diagnosis such as anxiety, depression, learning |
| Since there is no objective 'proof' for the diagnosis of | | | | disabilities, or low IQ. |
| ADHD, many parents struggle with accepting a | | | | It would be exciting to find a blood test or other |
| treatment plan. A family's reluctance to treat ADHD | | | | marker that incontrovertibly determined the presence |
| can result in tremendous detriments for these | | | | or absence of ADHD. Currently there is no such test. |
| children and families. | | | | Other methods being studied to identify ADHD |
| Last year a test known as the Quotient(TM) ADHD | | | | include EEGs, imaging studies, and DNA markers. |
| System became available. This system, formerly | | | | These test are only now be evaluated as diagnostic |
| known as M-MAT, was developed by a Harvard | | | | tools but I am hopeful that, in the near future, some |
| Psychiatry professor and was similar to the | | | | of these test may prove fruitful in the accurate |
| continuous performance task test but added a | | | | diagnosing ADHD. |
| motion analysis component. The company that | | | | |