ADHD Tests For Adults and Adolescents
There is no single test that can determine whether someone is suffering from ADHD. To make a diagnosis, healthcare providers must consider how symptoms impact daily functioning, and also rule out other mental health and physical illnesses that cause similar symptoms.
The doctor will also ask you about your symptoms prior to age 12. Under current diagnostic guidelines, to qualify for a diagnosis you must have been struggling with these issues since childhood.
Conners Adults ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS)
In a clinical setting, rating scales are typically created to distinguish adult patients suffering from ADHD from those who do not have symptoms. It is difficult to attain a satisfactory rate of differentiation, particularly when patients with different underlying diagnosis present symptoms that are similar in the emotional regulation and impulse control domains. As an example, anxiety disorders often co-occur with symptoms of impulsivity and disinhibition. In these instances the use of rating scales could cause an overdiagnosis, or overtreatment.
To address this problem In 1999, the CAARS was first developed. In 1999, the CAARS was revised to include an observer's form that allows for a more accurate evaluation of severity of symptom. Numerous studies have examined the psychometric features of the new version. In particular the convergent and concurrent validity of the measure has been found to be satisfactory (Smyth and Meier, Citation2019). There have been some criticisms regarding the measure's sensitivity to false reports which is a common problem in ADHD rating scales.
The CAARS-S:O has been utilized in a broad range of clinical samples and across various diagnostic conditions. The psychometric properties of the short self-report and observer versions that include configural invariance as well as metric invariance, have been evaluated. These findings have put a lot of confidence in the capability of the instrument to detect ADHD symptomatology in adults.
In a recent research study, the authors of the CAARS:O assessed the structure of the instrument through an exploratory and a confirmation factor analysis in a sample nonclinical adults. The results indicated that the model with four factors was able to fit the data and was in line with previous research (Conners, Erhardt, Epstein and others. Citation 1999). In addition the scalar stability of the model was proved. Finally, configural and scalar invariance were also confirmed by sex, allowing the comparison of scores between males and females be attributed to actual differences in the underlying dimensional models.
Recently, the authors of CAARS-S:O extended the findings to an adult nonclinical Japanese population. A total of 786) participants completed the CAARS-S:S as well as the CAARS-Observer form. The result was the same four-factor model that had been previously validated in the North American population, with satisfactory metrics and variable invariance. This study extends the validation of the CAARS S:O to a different population and demonstrates its value in identifying ADHD symptoms in adulthood.
Barkley Adults ADHD Rating Scales IV (BAARS-IV)
The BAARS-IV examines the current ADHD symptoms and domains of impairment as well as memories of childhood symptoms. It is designed to provide an extensive evaluation of a person's performance across all areas, including school, social and work. It is simple to administer and takes only 5-7 minutes. The BAARS-IV contains self-reporting questions and other report items (e.g., spouse, partner or parent). This helps to increase the reliability of the assessment.
Compared to age-based norms, the BAARS-IV indicates whether symptoms are "Clinically Significant," suggesting that the person is more noticeable than people their age, and could require further examination. A score of "Not Clinically Significant" means that the symptoms do not hinder functioning and is more representative of the typical range of people their age.
One-hundred and twenty-four adults aged 18-67 years took part in this study. They were physician- or self-referred to a medical center outpatient clinic for evaluation of ADHD. Every participant completed the BAARS IV SCT subscales (self and other report versions) and ADHD symptoms severity measures. Collateral reporters were spouses/partners, parents or friends, as well as siblings; a total of 51 reports were obtained.
The results confirm the validity and reliability of a 3 factor model of SCT and demonstrate that it can be reliably used to identify clinically significant distinctions between people with and without an ADHD diagnoses. SCT symptom intensity is also uniquely associated with collateral reporters' endorsements of impairments in schools, at home and in community activity functions, even after controlling for ADHD symptom intensity.
These findings add to the growing body of research that suggests SCT is a significant and distinct construct that warrants the attention of adults who present for evaluation of psychiatric disorders. SCT symptoms can be consistently and validly measured using the BAARS IV in the clinical setting and are associated with functional impairment. More research is needed to study the impact of SCT on functioning in other domains of life like stress in the parenting and psychopathology in offspring. SCT is a crucial factor in understanding and treating ADHD in adulthood.
Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive function Adult Version (BRIEF A)
The BRIEF-A measures adult executive function. It has 63 items across nine clinical scales that are well-validated and derived from theory and empirical research. They assess executive functioning domains that are commonly agreed on Inhibit (self-monitoring) Shift (emotional control), Initiate (working memory) Plan/Organize and Initiate. It is available as a self-report or informant version, and a parent/teacher sheet that is included. The test takes around 10-15 minutes to administer, and another 15-20 minutes to be scored. On the reverse of the sheet that summarizes scoring, you can calculate T-scores and percentiles. The BRIEF is a tool for adolescents and adults, ages 18 to 90. It is particularly helpful for those who have cognitive, behavioral, and academic difficulties that are not easily measurable by other methods such as severe developmental disorders/autism, or traumatic brain injury.
The instrument can be utilized in clinical and research situations by psychologists and neuropsychologists. It was standardized on the samples of women and men ages 18-90, who were matched with 2002 US Census data. The normative sample was representative of the United States population in terms of race/ethnicity, educational background, and geographic region. testing for adhd in adults and Metacognition Indexes scales were normative for self-reporting as well as informant reporting. Three validity scales (Negativity Inconsistency and Infrequency) were included to assess measurement accuracy.
The BRIEF-A not only provides standardization of individual scales but also the profile and base rates for scale elevations for a variety of psychiatric disorders including ADHD, PTSD and depression as well as schizophrenia spectrum disorders as well as traumatic brain injuries and schizophrenia. It also offers reliable change indexes for comparing the severity of symptoms over time, such as after the administration of medication.
The authors of BRIEF-A have published numerous papers on the application of this instrument to a variety mental illnesses, including those that affect executive functions. The instrument has been used to assess traumatic brain injury and dementia as well as Tourette's Disorder, Parkinson's Disease, and Tourette's Disorder. The studies concluded that the BRIEF-A was a valid and sensitive measurement of daily executive functions among these populations. This is especially relevant to the subscales of Inhibit and Emotional Control.
Understood Assistant
Many adults with ADHD are hesitant to seek treatment and diagnosis because of the stigma that surrounds this condition. Whether you keep losing your keys, can't finish work tasks, or have relationships that suffer because of inattention and impulsivity, getting a diagnosis is the first step toward gaining control of your symptoms. There's no need for the process of brain scanning or blood tests. Instead a professional will conduct a one-onone conversation and use rating scales to assess the way your symptoms affect your daily life.
For a thorough assessment, your evaluator will want to hear all about your past, including how you made it through school, what your relationships are with your family and friends, what's going on at work, at home, or in school, and so on. It is also important to discuss your medical history, and give details about your birth weight, early milestones such as when you first learned to walk or talk or talk, hospitalizations you've had, as well as any ongoing health issues.
The SNAP IV rating scale contains nine questions on inattention as well as nine questions about hyperactivity and impulsivity, and you'll rate how often you exhibit these symptoms. The SNAP IV is a great way to determine if you have inattention ADHD or a mixed form of ADHD. It can also be used to detect co-existing disorders like depression or anxiety.
You may be required to provide information about other people, particularly family members, as ADHD can run in families. A family history of ADHD can also indicate if you have the inattentive or impulsive-hyperactivity subtypes of ADHD.
Your test may also include neuropsychological and cognitive tests. These tests aren't diagnostic, but can provide valuable information on how ADHD affects your learning, memory and thinking abilities.
The Trail-Making Test measures your ability to switch between tasks and follow a sequence of letters or numbers. This test is suitable for both adults and children regardless of age and ability. It can be used to check for ADHD and other disorders that affect learning and memory.