Testing and evaluation for ADHD

Learn about: Testing and evaluation for ADHD from Edward Hallowell, MD, EdD,...
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Testing and evaluation for ADHD

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One of the most common myths about the diagnosis of ADHD, is that there is a test for ADHD. Guess what? There is no test. You cannot prove that anyone has ADHD, and yet hundreds of millions of dollars is spent on testing. Testing is not irrelevant, but by far, the most important step in making the diagnosis, is the history. Tell me your story. The history from the child, from the parents, and most importantly, from the classroom teacher. I can diagnose ADHD based on teacher comments alone, and I would much rather have that then a neuropsych testing report. I would like to have them both, but the point being; the history is critical and most important, and commonly overlooked. Most people put all their faith in the testing. The testing can give you false negatives, and often does. The history is where you want to put your attention in making the diagnosis.

Learn about: Testing and evaluation for ADHD from Edward Hallowell, MD, EdD,...

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Edward Hallowell, MD, EdD

Psychiatrist, ADHD Specialist, & Author

Edward (Ned) Hallowell, MD, EdD is a Harvard-trained Child and Adult Psychiatrist in practice in Sudbury, MA (outside Boston) and New York City. The author of 18 books, Dr. Hallowell specializes in learning differences such as ADHD and dyslexia, both of which he has himself.  He has also written extensively on general issues of parenting and living in our modern age. He lives in the Boston area with his wife of 23 years, Sue, and their three children, Lucy, Jack, and Tucker.

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