Foreword xi

Series Preface xiii

Preface xv

Acknowledgments xix

One Understanding ADHD 1

Historical Perspective 2

Overarching Principles 8

Core Features 11

Associated Features and Comorbidity 14

Etiology 20

Epidemiology 25

Summary 30

Test Yourself 30

References 32

Two What the DSM-5 Says About ADHD 45

Organization of the DSM-5 46

DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD 49

How Do I Know if It Is DSM-5 ADHD? 64

Summary 64

Test Yourself 65

References 67

Three Assessing ADHD: Goals and Guiding Principles 69

Goals 70

Guiding Principles 78

Summary 99

Test Yourself 100

References 102

Four Components of ADHD Assessment 107

Sequence of Evaluation Components 109

Record Review 111

Interview 113

Clinical Observation 125

Rating Scales 128

Cognitive Testing 133

Summary 148

Test Yourself 149

References 150

Five Putting It All Together: Integrating Findings and Drawing Conclusions 154

Clinical Application of the DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD 155

Differential Diagnosis and Comorbidity 163

Dealing with Discrepant Data 179

Beyond Diagnosis 183

Summary 186

Test Yourself 187

References 189

Six Illustrative Case Reports 191

Psychological Evaluation 194

ADHD Evaluation Report 223

Neuropsychological Evaluation 245

Annotated Bibliography 275

About the Authors 277

Index 279

• Detailed guidance on evaluation and differential diagnosis of ADHD
• Expert advice on selecting, interpreting, and integrating evaluation components
• Conveniently formatted for rapid reference

Quickly acquire the knowledge and skills you need to confidently and accurately identify ADHD in children and adolescents

In light of skyrocketing rates of ADHD diagnosis and the serious consequences of misdiagnosis, clinicians must be able to accurately identify ADHD and to differentiate it from competing and comorbid conditions. Essentials of ADHD Assessment for Children and Adolescents provides detailed guidelines for achieving these goals with confidence. After reading this book, practitioners will understand the nature and impact of ADHD, application of DSM™-5 criteria for the disorder, essential components of state-of-the-art ADHD evaluations, and effective practices for interpreting and reporting assessment results. Applied aspects of this book include integrating evaluation data, resolving discrepancies among information sources, and clinical tips for recognizing what is ADHD and what is not ADHD.

Like all the volumes in the Essentials of Psychological Assessment series, each chapter features numerous callout boxes highlighting key concepts, bullet points, and helpful clinical examples. Sample reports from a clinical psychologist, school psychologist, and neuropsychologist illustrate how a variety of report-writing styles can be used to effectively integrate and communicate the results of comprehensive ADHD assessments.

With a foreword by Dr. C. Keith Conners, this straightforward book provides comprehensive coverage of ADHD and its diagnosis and gives readers the necessary tools to conduct efficient and effective evaluations of this common but frequently misdiagnosed disorder.

“Far and away the best guide to ADHD assessment and diagnosis ever done.”
—Stephen P. Hinshaw, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley; Vice-Chair of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco; Editor, Psychological Bulletin; co-author of The ADHD Explosion