ADHD Screening
Reviewed
Also called: ADHD test, ADD test
ADHD screening helps find out if a child, teen, or adult has ADHD. It is used to check for ADHD in people who have frequent, serious problems with attention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsive behavior. The screening also checks for other mental disorders that often happen with ADHD. There is no single test to show whether a person has ADHD; instead, a health care provider follows professional guidelines for gathering information, doing tests, and diagnosing the cause of symptoms.
Specimen: Not applicable
Why this test may be ordered
- Your child may need screening if you, a teacher, or another caregiver thinks your child has symptoms of ADHD.
- Adults who have had challenges since childhood (before age 12) with focusing, impulsive behavior, restlessness, and/or being organized can ask their providers if they need to be screened for ADHD.
Preparation and collection
You usually don't need any special preparations for ADHD screening. Your provider will let you know what health and school records you may need to gather.
Not applicable
No risk.
Understanding results
The provider will usually write up the results of an ADHD screening in a report that includes a diagnosis. However, note that this screening alone is not diagnostic; the healthcare provider will interpret results in context. The report may indicate findings that suggest a higher or lower likelihood of ADHD.
- Screen-positive: The screening suggests a higher likelihood of ADHD. The provider will consider whether the person meets full diagnostic criteria: several symptoms before age 12, lasting at least 6 months, causing serious problems in multiple settings, and not caused by another mental health disorder. Limitation: This result is not a confirmed diagnosis. A positive screening must be followed by a thorough clinical evaluation by the healthcare provider. Next step: If the screening meets criteria for ADHD, treatment options such as medicine, talk therapy, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes may be discussed. Parents of children with ADHD may also receive training.
- Screen-negative: The screening suggests a lower likelihood of ADHD. However, symptoms could be due to other mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, or behavior disorders. Limitation: This result is not a confirmed diagnosis. A negative screening does not rule out other conditions that may require further evaluation. Next step: If symptoms persist, the provider may consider screening for other mental health disorders that can cause similar symptoms.
- There is no single test to show whether a person has ADHD.
- The screening is not diagnostic by itself; results must be interpreted by a healthcare professional.
- Symptoms of other mental health disorders can be mistaken for ADHD.
What to do next
If the screening leads to a diagnosis of ADHD, treatment may include medicine, talk therapy, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes. Parents of children with ADHD may also receive training to help their children manage ADHD. If the screening does not meet criteria for ADHD, the provider may evaluate for other conditions.
- Do you or your child have frequent, serious problems with attention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsive behavior?
- Have these symptoms been ongoing for at least 6 months and begun before age 12?
- Do the symptoms occur in two or more settings (e.g., home, school, work)?
- Do the symptoms interfere with functioning at school, work, or in social situations?