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What Doctors Look For continued...
3. Combined Type. This is the most common type of ADHD. People with it have symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
Along with these APA guidelines, doctors may also use:
- The Vanderbilt Assessment Scale. This 55-question assessment tool reviews symptoms of ADHD. It also looks for other conditions such as conduct disorder, oppositional-defiant disorder, anxiety, and depression.
- Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC). This test looks for things like hyperactivity, aggression, and conduct problems. It also looks for anxiety, depression, attention and learning problems, and lack of certain essential skills.
- Child Behavior Checklist/Teacher Report Form (CBCL). Among other things, this scale looks at physical complaints, aggressive or delinquent behavior, and withdrawal.
Brain Wave Tests
The Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid (NEBA) System is a scan that measures brain waves. The ratio of certain brain waves tends to be higher in children and adolescents with ADHD. The scan is approved for use in children ages 6 to 17, but is meant to be used as a part of a complete medical and psychological exam.
Other tests help diagnose other medical conditions that mimic ADHD. But they don’t diagnose ADHD.
From Diagnosis to Treatment
If the doctor makes an ADHD diagnosis, it's important to follow the treatment. The doctor may recommend medications and behavioral therapy. These treatments can bring relief from the symptoms and make ADHD easier to manage.