Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized mainly by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, usually emerging during school age. Without timely diagnosis and intervention, children may experience academic difficulties, social problems, and even emotional issues. Diagnosis requires a combination of parent and teacher behavioral reports and clinical evaluation, while excluding other possible conditions to ensure scientific accuracy.

Diagnostic Basis

1. Behavioral observation

The most critical basis for diagnosing ADHD is the child’s persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behaviors. Specific manifestations include: ① difficulty focusing on tasks, such as frequently being distracted during homework; ② restlessness, inability to sit still in class, often fidgeting; ③ poor impulse control, frequently interrupting others; ④ forgetfulness, often misplacing items in daily life and studies; ⑤ difficulty completing complex tasks in sequence. Doctors combine reports from parents and teachers, ensuring symptoms persist for at least 6 months and affect multiple settings.

2. Standardized scales and questionnaire assessments

Commonly used tools include the Conners Rating Scale, SNAP-IV, and Vanderbilt Assessment Scales. Parents and teachers fill out questionnaires to record the child’s behavior across different environments. These scales quantify the severity of inattention, activity level, and impulsivity, assisting physicians in determining whether DSM-5 diagnostic criteria are met.

3. Medical and developmental evaluations

To rule out behavioral abnormalities caused by hearing, vision, or other physical illnesses, a full medical examination is required. At the same time, intelligence tests (such as WISC-IV) and cognitive function assessments help determine whether the child has coexisting learning disabilities or cognitive problems. These evaluations assist in distinguishing ADHD from other neurodevelopmental disorders.

4. Neuroimaging and EEG auxiliary tests

Some patients may undergo EEG or functional MRI (fMRI) to exclude epilepsy or structural brain lesions. While not required for ADHD diagnosis, these tests can aid differential diagnosis in complex cases.

5. Multi-environment information analysis

ADHD diagnosis requires symptoms to be evident in at least two different environments, such as home and school. By gathering feedback from both parents and teachers, physicians can determine whether the child has functional impairments across settings, avoiding misdiagnosis from single-environment influences.

6. Exclusion of other psychiatric or behavioral disorders

Differential diagnosis is critical for accurate identification. Autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, and conduct disorders must be ruled out, as they may cause similar symptoms. Additionally, environmental factors such as family stress or poor school adaptation may lead to behavioral issues and should be distinguished.

7. Medical history and developmental background

Doctors also need to gather detailed information on the child’s growth history, perinatal history, and family history of psychiatric illness to assess genetic and environmental risk factors, aiding comprehensive judgment of causes and symptoms.

Conclusion

Experts at United Life International Medical Center emphasize that diagnosing ADHD is a systematic process relying on multi-dimensional information integration and multi-environment observation. Early and accurate diagnosis is vital for subsequent interventions and treatment outcomes. Parents and educators are advised to closely monitor behavioral changes in children and seek medical evaluation promptly to support healthy development.