Your Child & (ADD) ADHD

This (ADD) ADHD Self Assessment Test is a guideline to help you assess whether you should pursue further evaluation and intervention for your child. Only a professionally trained ADHD specialist can accurately evaluate your child and diagnose ADHD. Please read Diagnosing (ADD) ADHD before completing this assessment.

This assessment tool is based on the criteria for diagnosing ADHD provided in The Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, as summarized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A. Check any of the following behaviors that you think apply to your child.

1. Often does not pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
5. Often has trouble organizing activities.
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
8. Often is easily distracted.
9. Often is forgetful in daily activities.

B. Check any of the following behaviors that you think apply to your child.

1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
2. Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
3. Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
4. Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
5. Often is "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor."
6. Often talks excessively.
7. Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
8. Often has trouble waiting his or her turn.
9. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

If you checked six or more behaviors in category A and/or six or more behaviors in category B, continue with this assessment. If you did not, your child is not likely to be at high risk for ADHD.

If you did not check six or more behaviors in category A and/or six or more behaviors in category B, your child is not likely to be at high risk for ADHD.

After checking six or more behaviors in either category A or category B, you should pursue further evaluation for your child. Your pediatrician or family physician may be able to help your child by referring you to an ADHD specialist (usually a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker with experience in ADHD) who can diagnose. If you are unsure what applies to your child in this assessment, you may also want to seek a professional opinion.