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.	Important to rule out other neurological problems and learning difficulties, not attributable to ADD.
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.	Important to rule out psychological or emotional problems as basis of ADD-like behavior.

“State of the Art” ADD Assessment