Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a diagnosis that requires assessment from a trained clinician. ADHD symptoms typically present around age six or seven. Occasionally, symptoms are apparent prior to age five. Parents who seek an ADHD assessment often find their children are restless, hyperactive, talk excessively, forgetful, inattentive, avoidant of difficult tasks, distracted, and show task incompletion.
Some ADHD symptoms are common in diagnoses such as, Autism, Anxiety, and Depression. Therefore, ADHD is very commonly misdiagnosed. Hence, it is important that a trained clinician complete a thorough ADHD assessment. Assessments typically take at least four to six hours as they include meeting and/or getting feedback from the person, their family, and hopefully their teachers. The diagnosis is usually given when a set of symptoms occurs in at least two settings (i.e., home and school) for at least six months. There are three subtypes of ADHD: Inattentive Type, Hyperactive/Impulsive Type, and Combined Type.
