What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is part of human neurocdiversity and it can show up from childhood through adulthood. Its main traits are persistent pattern of inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that can influence academic, work, social, and emotional development.

An accurate diagnosis is essential to implement appropriate interventions that improve the patient’s quality of life. Psychological assessment is a key tool in this process, as it allows for the identification of the specific characteristics of the disorder in each individual and, from there, to begin a therapeutic intervention process, which may include a child psychologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, with the essential collaboration of the family and the school environment.

What is the best age to assess ADHD?

Early diagnosis of ADHD is essential to effectively address its symptoms. Although syntoms may appear in preschool ages, formal evaluation of ADHD is recommended from 6 years old. 6 age is a relevant threshold because by reaching 6, children have got a level of cognitive and behavioral development that allows evaluator to execute a more accurate observation of symptoms in different settings, such as at home and at school. This is why ADHD assessment tests are designed and validated primarily for children from the age of 6. Get assessed a younger children, even if a few adaptations could be used, is not recommended because could reduce test results accuracy ,

When to realize an ADHD Evaluation to a children

It is advisable to consider a possible ADHD evaluation when a child consistently shows difficulties with attention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity, and these begin to affect their learning, family life, or relationships with other children. Sometimes, it is the school itself that suggests the evaluation, because teachers may observe these difficulties in the classroom and notice that they interfere with learning or interaction with other classmates. For them to be considered significant, these symptoms must persist for at least six months and appear in different settings. Detectar estas señales a tiempo y ofrecer el apoyo adecuado ayuda a reducir las dificultades y a favorecer un desarrollo saludabl

ADHD Evaluations types

ADHD evaluation is a multi-dimensional process that combine different tools to get a full insight about a children e such as:

Clinical Interviews: These allow for the collection of detailed information about the child’s development, family history, and the manifestation of symptoms in different contexts.

Questionnaires and Assessment Scales: Standardized instruments that collect observations from parents, teachers, and the child about behaviors related to ADHD.

Neuropsychological Tests: These tests evaluate specific cognitive functions, such as aºttention, memory, and executive functions, providing objective data on the child’s performance.

¿Por qué es importante realizar una evaluación de TDAH con un buen diagnóstico diferencial?

.En psicología clínica, una evaluación con diagnóstico diferencial es esencial para comprender en profundidad qué está detrás de las dificultades o características que presenta un niño o adolescente. Many symptoms—such as inattention, impulsivity, poor school performance, or lack of motivation—can have very different origins, and only a complete assessment allows differentiation between possible causes: learning difficulties, ADHD, high abilities, anxiety, emotional problems, or even contextual factors.º

A good differential diagnosis avoids misinterpretations and allows for an intervention tailored to the child’s actual needs. To do this, different standardized psychological tests are used, which allow the exploration of cognitive functions, attention, mental flexibility, behavior and emotional profile.

How to make an ADHD Assesment

The assessment of ADHD is a comprehensive process that encompasses several stages:

• Information Gathering: Data is obtained on the child’s early development, medical and family history, and current symptoms are analyzed.
• Observación Directa: Evaluación del comportamiento del niño en diferentes entornos, como el hogar y la escuela, para identificar patrones consistentes de inatención, hiperactividad o impulsividad.
• AplicacDirect Observation: Evaluation of the child’s behavior in different environments, such as home and school, to identify consistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity.ión de Pruebas Estandarizadas: Uso de test específicos para medir funciones cognitivas y comportamentales relacionadas con el TDAH.
• Medical Evaluation: Rule out possible medical causes that may explain the symptoms presented.
• Results Analysis and Diagnosis: Integration of all collected information to determine the presence of ADHD and its possible comorbidity with other disorders.

Results Analysis and Diagnosis: Integration of all collected information to determine the presence of ADHD and its possible comorbidity with other disorders. An accurate assessment not only facilitates diagnosis, but also guides the most appropriate therapeutic interventions for each case.

Main standardized tests most used in the assessment of ADHD in children and adolescents

WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition)

It assesses general intellectual ability and various cognitive processes such as verbal comprehension, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed.. It is a key tool for differentiating between ADHD, learning difficulties, or high abilities.

D-KEFS (Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System)

A set of tests designed to assess executive functions, such as planning, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and problem-solving. It is fundamental to analyzing how the child organizes, controls, and regulates his behavior.

d2-R (Attention Test):

It measures selective attention and concentration through a cancellation task in which the child must identify relevant stimuli among distractors within a limited time. It helps to assess the ability to maintain attention and discriminate stimuli, which is very useful in the study of ADHD.

Caras-R (Test of Perception of Differences)

Permite evaluar la atención perceptiva y la velocidad de procesamiento visual a través de la identificación rápida de diferencias entre pares de caras similares. it allows the evaluation of perceptual attention and visual processing speed through the rapid identification of differences between pairs of similar faces.Es una herramienta sencilla y eficaz para detectar dificultades atencionales en edades tempranas.

ENFEN (Neuropsychological Evaluation of Executive Functions in Children)

It assesses aspects such as planning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and verbal fluency. It assesses aspects such as planning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and verbal fluency.

BASC (Behavior Assessment System for Children)

AAnalyzes the behavioral and emotional profile of the child or adolescent. Through questionnaires for parents, teachers and the child himself, it offers a global view of socio-emotional functioning and possible indicators of anxiety, depression or school maladjustment.

Having a complete evaluation and a good differential diagnosis allows us to understand the child in their entirety —beyond labels— and to design personalized support strategies that promote their emotional well-being and academic development.

Having a complete evaluation and a good differential diagnosis allows us to understand the child in their entirety—beyond labels—and to design personalized support strategies that promote their emotional well-being and academic development.

Importance of a Comprehensive ADHD Assessment

A comprehensive evaluation helps to distinguish ADHD from other developmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or Specific Language Impairment, as well as from learning difficulties, such as dyslexia. It also allows differentiating ADHD symptoms from problems that may be related to the child’s emotional or mood management, for which psychological support may also be necessary. It also allows differentiating ADHD symptoms from problems that may be related to the child’s emotional or mood management, for which psychological support may also be necessary. Collaboration between professionals, family, and school is essential to ensure consistent and effective support in all areas of their lives.

ADHD Evaluations Price

Each assessment is tailored to the specific needs of each child or adolescent and is designed individually, so the price may vary depending on the tests administered and the complexity of the case. As a guideline, the price of an ADHD assessment at our clinic is typically around €500.

Every child deserves an assessment that looks beyond the symptoms. Request a comprehensive psychological evaluation and discover how to help you reach your full potential.