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“State of the Art” ADD Assessment
The problem with assessing
ADD has to do with the
nature of ADD itself. Though there is an underlying
difficulty with self-regulation, ADD can manifest with symptoms that parallel
depression, emotional or family problems. In addition, children with learning
disorders often display symptoms similar to those with ADD. In adolescence, ADD
manifests differently than with children.
The way to get the most
accurate diagnosis is to use a variety of instruments that test for ADD as well
as to use other instruments to rule out disorders that can “masquerade” as ADD.
We feel that we have created a “state of the art” protocol for ADD assessment.
Using the protocol below, the difficulties with diagnosis should be lessen.
More importantly, the child will be assessed in his or her uniqueness, and the
treatment can be tailored to his or her individual need.
Test Name |
Function |
Comments |
Achenbach’s Checklist
Connors’ Scale
Child Symptom Inventory
|
Parents and Teacher
rate child on a Variety of behaviors
related to ADD and/or emotional problems.
Standardized and normed.
|
These paper and pencil
tests Are one of the best
indicators of ADD.
|
Classroom Observation |
Evaluator observes
child in school environment, anonymous to child. |
This is the best way to
evaluate child in a structured group environment. |
Weschler IQ
WJ-III selected
subtests
|
Special attention paid
to differences between subtests. Comparison of ability to performance. |
Shows actual
attentional difficulties between various tasks. |
Bender or VMI
VADS
Trails A & B
Stroop
Rey-Osterrieth |
Measures various
visual, memory, motor, aural, and processing problems in various
combinations.
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Important to rule out
other neurological problems and learning difficulties, not attributable to ADD.
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Connors CPT
|
Computerized task that
measures attention and impulsivity. |
Very useful for
concurrent substantiation of overall findings. |
Kinetic Family Drawing
Sentence Completion
|
Used to measure family
and school problems and general psychological adjustment.
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Important to rule out
psychological or emotional problems as basis
of ADD-like behavior. |
Click here to see the resume of our ADD assessment specialist,
Stacey Cohen-Maitre, Ph.D.
Wilmes-Reitz Psychological
23945 Calabasas Rd., Suite 202
Calabasas, California 91302
(818) 591-8270
wrpsych@aol.com
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