Many parents waste a great deal of money for psychological testing of
their ADHD child. There is a myth that ADHD testing will reveal
some underlying, and previously unknown, truth about what is really wrong with
their child. And, in some undefined way this will help. But, testing and
diagnosis are only useful if they help you decide which of real, available
treatments would be most useful for your ADD child.
The majority of real available treatments for ADHD are listed on this web site. There is nothing in psychological evaluations that will provide any help in deciding which treatment is likely to be most successful for your child. So, money spent is usually wasted.
Choice of treatment for ADHD is on the basis of cost, availability, effectiveness and risk, not on subtle variations in the ADD diagnosis itself. So, before you spend your money, ask those offering testing how different testing outcomes will predict which of the real, available treatments you are considering will be most successful for your child. If they don't give you a persuasive answer, don't spend your money.
Most attention deficit hyperactivity disorder "testing" consists of checklists of behavior observed at home and in the classroom and filled out by parents and teachers, respectively. The Connors is the most common. Occasionally a more traditional battery of ability and personality tests will be suggested.
It only summarizes what you already know, but it sounds better, more authoritative and meaningful if it is read to you by a doctor. You know what your child’s problems are before your take him for testing, or you wouldn’t be taking him. After you pay your money, you will have a piece of paper that tells you the things you knew before testing, only in fancier words. This is not a very good return for you investment of time and money. There is a whole section in my book on this issue.
The information provided by testing does not help your child improve, and that is all that counts. Save your money for the treatment of your choice.
A new perspective on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and a drug free treatment that works can be found in my book:
lwsmith38429.6985416667Well put and said.