ADHD Symptoms and Testing, Queens, NY

ADHD ADHD Symptoms and TestingSymptoms and Testing

Dr. Edward M. PetroskyLicensed Psychologist

Forest Hills, Queens, NY(917) 520 – 4444

www.toolsforstudents.info

(C) Dr. Edward M. Petrosky, 2009. Queens, New York. All rites reserved. ADHD Testing, Adult ADD, Evaluation.(C) Dr. Edward M. Petrosky, 2009. Queens, New York. All rites reserved. ADHD Testing, Adult ADD, Evaluation.

A Word on the PresenterA Word on the PresenterLicensed psychologistLicensed psychologistBackground in school & clinical psychologyBackground in school & clinical psychologySpecializations include: Specializations include: Dyslexia, Learning Disability, & ADHD TestingDyslexia, Learning Disability, & ADHD Testing Evaluations of Behavioral and Emotional Problems Evaluations of Behavioral and Emotional Problems Workshops to parents, teachers, & students on Workshops to parents, teachers, & students on

academic and emotional growthacademic and emotional growth

Give parents & students answersGive parents & students answers What is the problem? What is causing it? What can be What is the problem? What is causing it? What can be

done to help?done to help?

www.toolsforstudents.infowww.toolsforstudents.info


ADHDADHDDiagnostic CriteriaDiagnostic Criteria


PrefacePrefaceThe following is a paraphrasing of the “official” diagnostic The following is a paraphrasing of the “official” diagnostic criteria. For the full and verbatim diagnostic criteria criteria. For the full and verbatim diagnostic criteria please consult the DSM-IV TR.please consult the DSM-IV TR.

Virtually everybody has moments of inattention or Virtually everybody has moments of inattention or hyperactivity. For the following to count as “symptoms” hyperactivity. For the following to count as “symptoms” these behaviors must be marked, have occurred for a these behaviors must be marked, have occurred for a relatively long period of time, and at least some of them relatively long period of time, and at least some of them must have begun in early childhood.must have begun in early childhood.

This presentation is for information purposes only. This presentation is for information purposes only. ADHD is only properly diagnosed by a comprehensive ADHD is only properly diagnosed by a comprehensive individualized evaluation conducted by an appropriately individualized evaluation conducted by an appropriately credentialed professional.credentialed professional.


Inattention:Inattention:Some Core FeaturesSome Core Features

Distractible; difficulty paying attention. Distractible; difficulty paying attention.

Misses important informationMisses important information E.g. “There’s a test today?! When did the teacher say that?”E.g. “There’s a test today?! When did the teacher say that?” E.g. Not noticing the “no parking” signE.g. Not noticing the “no parking” sign

Difficulty keeping track of informationDifficulty keeping track of information E.g. Organizing materials to build a science projectE.g. Organizing materials to build a science project E.g. Has papers strewn everywhereE.g. Has papers strewn everywhere

Difficulty following through on tasks.Difficulty following through on tasks. E.g. Starts to set the table then gets sidetrackedE.g. Starts to set the table then gets sidetracked E.g. Doesn’t have degree because didn’t complete one class or complete E.g. Doesn’t have degree because didn’t complete one class or complete

minor paperwork requirement.minor paperwork requirement.

Forgetful and scatteredForgetful and scattered E.g. Misses appointments and deadlinesE.g. Misses appointments and deadlines E.g. Friends may call him/her “the absent minded professor” E.g. Friends may call him/her “the absent minded professor”


It’s not that people with ADHD don’t pay attention per se.It’s not that people with ADHD don’t pay attention per se.

It’s that they attention to It’s that they attention to everythingeverything..

Their main difficulty is:Their main difficulty is: SelectiveSelective Attention: choosing the most important thing to pay Attention: choosing the most important thing to pay

attention toattention toE.g. What the teacher is saying as opposed to random sounds in E.g. What the teacher is saying as opposed to random sounds in the hallwaythe hallway

SustainedSustained Attention: holding focus in one spot Attention: holding focus in one spot

ADHD is like continually flicking through the channels ADHD is like continually flicking through the channels with the remote control, without ever settling on one with the remote control, without ever settling on one show. You know everything that’s on, but miss the show. You know everything that’s on, but miss the details of what each is about. details of what each is about.

Inattention:Inattention:Some Core FeaturesSome Core Features


Hyperactivity:Hyperactivity:Some Core FeaturesSome Core Features

Can’t sit stillCan’t sit still

Very restless, always on the go and Very restless, always on the go and moving around (or moving around (or feels feels like moving like moving around when must stay seated)around when must stay seated)

Talks too muchTalks too much


Impulsivity:Impulsivity:Some Core FeaturesSome Core Features

Interrupts other peopleInterrupts other people

Says things without thinkingSays things without thinking ““What a hideous shirt – it looks terrible.”What a hideous shirt – it looks terrible.”

Takes chances, leaps before he or she looksTakes chances, leaps before he or she looks E.g. Runs into the street to chase a ball without checking to see E.g. Runs into the street to chase a ball without checking to see

if traffic is comingif traffic is coming E.g. Drives too fastE.g. Drives too fast

Acts without reflecting on the consequencesActs without reflecting on the consequences E.g. Student bolts out of seat to sharpen pencil as soon as the E.g. Student bolts out of seat to sharpen pencil as soon as the

point breaks without considering the fact that the teacher just point breaks without considering the fact that the teacher just said the next person who leaves their seat without raising their said the next person who leaves their seat without raising their hand will be in troublehand will be in trouble


Diagnosing ADHDDiagnosing ADHD


Comprehensive EvaluationComprehensive EvaluationDiagnostic interviewsDiagnostic interviews

Rating ScalesRating Scales Conners’Conners’ BASC-2BASC-2 Brown ADD ScalesBrown ADD Scales

Neurocognitive TestingNeurocognitive Testing

Rule out emotional factors that could be Rule out emotional factors that could be causing attention and concentration causing attention and concentration problems (e.g. anxiety & depression)problems (e.g. anxiety & depression)


The single most important thing The single most important thing in an evaluation of ADHD is…in an evaluation of ADHD is…


Important!Important!

……make sure the evaluation is make sure the evaluation is comprehensive. A proper ADHD comprehensive. A proper ADHD evaluation should collect multiple pieces of evaluation should collect multiple pieces of information from multiple sources (e.g. information from multiple sources (e.g. interviews with parents and teachers, interviews with parents and teachers, rating scales, etc.). ADHD is rating scales, etc.). ADHD is not not properly properly diagnosed through cursory methods (e.g. diagnosed through cursory methods (e.g. eyeballing a child’s behavior for a couple eyeballing a child’s behavior for a couple of minutes). of minutes).


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ADHD Symptoms and Testing, Queens, NY