AD/HD Evaluation

The evaluation for an attention deficit disorder is a comprehensive assessment of the attentional and executive functioning processes.   Not only does the evaluation use information from home and school rating scales, but also through clinical observation and performance on standardized measures of attention, including the Test of Everyday Attention (TEA-Ch) and the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA).  It investigates the behavioral as well as the cognitive symptoms of attention and other executive functions including:

• Sustaining attention
• Monitoring of Attention 
• Attentional switching
• Inhibition/impulsivity
• Set shifting
• Planning

Because the behavioral symptoms of AD/HD do not always coordinate with how well the child is actually able to pay attention (cognitive symptoms), obtaining information via both behavioral and cognitive testing is useful in the context of evaluating for AD/HD.  Such testing, particularly the TOVA, has been used in conjunction with physicians to determine optimum levels of attention in response to medication trials.  This test can be used before medication has been started (baseline), as well as following incremental changes to medication, to help doctors determine optimum dosing.