ADHD Diagnosis Sydney
Are you or a loved one struggling with symptoms of attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Sydney? Recognising the signs of ADHD and getting a proper ADHD diagnosis in Sydney can be crucial. ADHD can impact various aspects of daily life, including relationships, work or school performance, and overall well-being. At Positive Moods, we offer comprehensive ADHD assessment and testing services in Sydney to accurately diagnose the condition and develop tailored ADHD treatment plans. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to helping individuals with ADHD overcome challenges and improve their quality of life. Whether you're an adult suspecting you have ADHD, or a parent concerned about your child's behaviour, understanding the symptoms, and getting a professional ADHD evaluation is the first step. Read on to learn more about our ADHD diagnostic services in Sydney.
ADHD Diagnosis and Assessment Sydney & Greater Metropolitan. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects an estimated 5-10% of children worldwide. Children who display symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle with behavioural symptoms like difficulty paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviours, learning and excessive activity. ADHD is among the most common neurodevelopmental disorders that typically emerge during childhood but can persist into adulthood. It can affect the behaviour and learning of school-age children, particularly those between 6 to 12 years old, and is more common in boys than girls. As children with ADHD often face behavioural issues, it can negatively impact their lives and make it challenging to interact with others, both at home and school. Therefore, residents of Sydney are encouraged to seek ADHD assessments and other related services from reliable providers such as Positive Moods.
Symptoms of ADHD
Managing a child with ADHD is a challenging responsibility for most parents residing in Sydney. Professional assessment is necessary to accurately diagnose and determine the severity of ADHD in children. Healthcare professionals use ADHD assessments to identify symptoms, potential causes, and recommend appropriate treatment options for managing the condition.
To assess if your child has suspected ADHD, here are the following symptoms classified into 3 categories:
Inattention
Difficulty to focus on details, unknowingly makes careless mistakes when doing schoolwork, or other activities
Difficulty to focus on a task or play activities
Cannot follow through with instructions and struggles in completing a task in school, work, or chores
Difficulty in organising tasks and activities
Does not seem to be listening
Avoids or dislikes performing tasks that need continuous mental effort
Forgetful of daily activities
Struggles to sit in place
Often does daydreaming
Hyperactivity
Usually fidgets with hands and feet, or squirm in their seat
Struggles to sit in place
Runs about or climbs unfitting places or scenarios
Difficulties to play quietly or when doing leisure activities
Always on the go
Excessive talking
Often restless and agitated
Impulsivity
Answers questions without waiting for the complete questions
Difficulty in taking turns
Often interrupts other people’s conversation or intrudes a game
Other than the stated symptoms, the symptoms of ADHD also changes as a person get older, including:
Forgetfulness
Always late
Anxiety
Self-esteem problems
Difficulty in controlling anger
Substance abuse
Procrastination
Easily frustrated
Mood swings
Depression
Lacks concentration
Social relations problems
Types of ADHD
The ADHD assessment is a crucial step in identifying and managing ADHD in children. The healthcare professional conducting the assessment can determine the specific type of ADHD based on the child's symptoms, including:
ADHD Combined Type: This type is identified if a child displays symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity over the last six months.
ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type: If a child exhibits symptoms of inattention without hyperactivity and impulsivity for the last six months, they may have this type of ADHD.
ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: This type is identified if a child displays symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity without inattention for the last six months.
Understanding the type of ADHD that a child has is essential in developing an effective treatment plan that can help them overcome the challenges associated with the disorder. At Positive Moods in Sydney, we offer comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for children with ADHD, including assessments to identify the specific type of ADHD.
Causes of ADHD
The specific cause of ADHD has not been determined. However, the theory states that genetics plays a role in contributing to ADHD. If there is one family member that has a behavioural disorder, it can also be present in other family members. Other than genetics, the following factors can also cause ADHD:
Born prematurely
Low weight during birth
Mother taking drugs or alcohol during pregnancy
Injuries to the brain
Neurophysiology includes the difference in brain anatomy, metabolism, and electrical activity
Exposure to lead
Child lacking early attachment from parents or carer
Experiencing traumatic incidents at an early age can also contribute to inattention and hyperactivity
Diagnosing ADHD
Is your child exhibiting symptoms of ADHD? Don't panic, there are steps you can take to get a proper assessment. It's recommended to consult with your GP first, who can refer you to a paediatrician or child psychiatrist for further assessment. The assessment process involves the use of a standardised diagnostic tool, known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), which helps healthcare professionals to evaluate your child's behaviour.
To ensure a comprehensive assessment, a physical examination will also be conducted, including vision and hearing screening, as well as an electroencephalogram (EEG). The healthcare professional will also take a detailed medical history from the individual suspected of having ADHD, which can help in determining the possible causes that are contributing to their behavioural challenges.
It's important to note that while healthcare professionals can help assess an individual's condition, there is no single test that can determine ADHD. That's why it's essential for parents or caregivers to provide honest and accurate information about the child's behaviour. This way, healthcare professionals can better understand the child's condition and gather a range of information to make an informed diagnosis.
To help your healthcare professionals have a proper conclusion, here is the following information that you should provide:
Evident symptoms of ADHD that negatively affect most areas of the child’s life
History of the child's behaviours
Any experienced trauma or illness
Child’s relationships and family
When the ADHD assessment is being administered, healthcare professionals will also assess the following factors:
The Severity of the Symptoms. To be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms of an individual must negatively impact their life such as difficulty in their careers, finances, or family responsibility.
The Appearance of the Symptoms. Since the symptoms of ADHD starts appearing as early as childhood, the doctor will assess when and how early the symptoms appeared. For adults undergoing assessment, it is necessary to trace back when your symptoms appear in childhood.
Duration of Symptoms. When diagnosing ADHD, it is also necessary to determine how long the symptoms have appeared, and it should be going on for at least 6 months to be diagnosed with ADHD.
Areas Triggering the Symptoms. Individuals diagnosed with ADHD exhibit their symptoms in different settings such as home, school, and work. If the symptoms only appear in one setting, they cannot be diagnosed as ADHD and other factors may be at fault.
Managing ADHD
Managing ADHD in children is crucial after a diagnosis has been made, as there is currently no cure for the condition. Residents of Sydney can seek professional help from Positive Moods to receive an ADHD assessment and appropriate guidance for managing ADHD. Effective strategies for managing ADHD include medication, behavioural therapy, and parent training including:
Stimulant medication to reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity
Partaking in psychotherapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy and behaviour therapy
Undergoing family counselling
Educational support
Parenting skills for parents and carers
Parents and carers learning techniques for stress management
Join support group
Positive Moods is a clinic that offers ADHD assessments and comprehensive support for managing ADHD in children and adults in Sydney. Seeking professional help from a clinic like Positive Moods can be beneficial in developing a personalised treatment plan that takes into account the child's individual needs and family circumstances
We also do ADHD assessments in Adelaide
For more details, may call Positive Moods on 1300 001 470, email at ndis@positivemoods.com.au, or fill in the contact form on https://www.positivemoods.com.au/contactus.