adhd

Informal Test for Children’s AD/HD

Many parents have heard of a disorder called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) and wonder if their child has it. It is characterized by children who cannot sit still or pay attention at school, but this alone does not merit a diagnosis of AD/HD. To actually determine if your child does have AD/HD or not, you would need to take him/her to a pediatrician and possibly a therapist or psychiatrist. However, you may be able to eliminate your concerns or fears by using the following test. Rate the items as honestly and accurately as you can, then add up the score and compare it to the table at the end of each test.

Behavioral Signs	Never/ Rarely	Some- times	Often	Very Much
1. Often fails to give close attention to details, makes careless mistakes in schoolwork/work	0	1	2	3
2. Seems to have difficulty remaining attentive during work or play, i.e., seems to daydream	0	1	2	3
3. Doesn’t seem to listen when addressed directly, i.e., seems absent-minded or dreamy	0	1	2	3
4. Seems to forget to follow-through on requests, forgets instructions, fails to finish work	0	1	2	3
5. Has difficulty organizing, prioritizing, planning tasks/activities and seems unaware of time passing	0	1	2	3
6. Avoids, dislikes, has difficulty engaging in tasks s/he doesn’t find stimulating or fun	0	1	2	3
7. Loses things that are needed for tasks or activities (keys, books, pencils, toys, papers, sports gear)	0	1	2	3
8. Difficulty returning to task or activity after a distraction	0	1	2	3
9. Difficulty remembering daily activities or routines	0	1	2	3

                                    SCORES:

0 - 5    Not an issue for your child

6 - 11 Not likely an issue for your child

12-18 May need a professional assessment

19+ Professional assessment highly recommended

Hyperactive-Impulsive Factor	Never/ Rarely	Some- times	Often	Very Much
1. Is fidgety, wiggles feet, taps pencils, squirms in seat	0	1	2	3
2. Gets up and wanders around in situations where s/he is expected to remain seated	0	1	2	3
3. Child: runs/climbs excessively and in inappropriate situations; teen/adult: may express feeling restless or keyed-up	0	1	2	3
4. Seems to have difficulty playing or working quietly	0	1	2	3
5. Seems to be in "perpetual motion", has difficulty to stop moving	0	1	2	3
6. Seemingly talks non-stop even in situations where it is inappropriate (school, church, meetings)	0	1	2	3
7. Answers before questions are finished	0	1	2	3
8. Has difficulty waiting in line, waiting his/her turn	0	1	2	3
9. Interrupts others, answers without being asked, "footnotes" everything others are saying	0	1	2	3

SCORES

0 - 5 Not an issue for your child

6 - 11 Not likely an issue for your child

12-18 May need a professional assessment

19+ Professional assessment highly recommended

Call Eve Solis, M.A., Reg. MFTI (#33809) at (408) 380-3099 for more information regarding on-going AD/HD and "Love and Logic" parenting classes as well as upcoming Adult AD/HD Therapy Groups.

She can be reached by e-mail by clicking the mailbox link:

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