How to Prepare Your Child for ADHD Testing

There’s no blood test or scan that can be done to determine if a child has ADHD.

So, doctors rely on several different methods to gather as much information as possible. 

Through things like interviews, an understanding of family history, and even different rating scales and questionnaires, doctors can typically make a very accurate diagnosis when it comes to children with ADHD. 

But, if your child has been dealing with symptoms for a while, they might be a bit nervous about going to the doctor or even getting officially diagnosed.

As a parent, you might be experiencing those same nerves. Thankfully, there are things you can do to prepare your child for ADHD testing.

Doing so can give you both peace of mind and help to ensure they receive the right diagnosis. 

Be Ready to Ask Questions

One of the best things you can do to comfort your child and yourself is to prepare questions to ask the doctor ahead of time.

• Don’t be afraid to discuss the different methods they’ll use to test your child for ADHD.

• Ask if they can explain those methods to your child.

It’s also a good rule of thumb to ask if there are any other possible underlying conditions that could be causing your child’s symptoms.

It’s important for the doctor to consider every possible option before making a diagnosis. 

Create a Calm Environment

Your child might be stressed or nervous before ADHD testing, and that’s normal.

Do what you can to create a relaxing environment for them before they go through the process. 

• The night before, making sure they get plenty of rest.

• Prepare a breakfast they love, read together, and play relaxing music.

• You might even try doing something physical with them, like going for a walk before the testing.

Finding small ways to reduce your child’s stress before testing can make a big difference in how they handle the experience. 

Keep Them Comfortable

Physical exams are often part of the ADHD testing process.

Make sure your child wears comfortable clothing and understands that the doctor will not only ask them questions, but will likely check their height, weight, blood pressure, and pulse.

Again, they need to rule out other conditions, so a full physical exam is often necessary. 

Talk About Possibilities

If your child is old enough to really understand what ADHD is, don’t hesitate to discuss with them what might happen if they’re officially diagnosed. 

• Children with ADHD often manage their symptoms with medication, therapy, or a combination of both.

• Getting on medication can be a bit scary for kids.

• So, be sure to talk to them about how certain medications work and what they can expect if they start taking a prescription. 

You can also discuss follow-up appointments.

Let your child know their doctor will fine-tune their treatment to find something that works for your whole family. 

Prepare Yourself

As a parent or caregiver, your child will be looking to you for comfort and reassurance before, during, and after the ADHD testing process. 

You might be nervous, but it’s important to stay calm and collected for your child’s sake.

• Ask questions and do your research.

• Don’t be afraid to contact your child’s doctor if you have any follow-up concerns that didn’t get brought up during testing.

If you’re able to stay calm throughout the process, your child is likely to feel better, too. 

If your child has gone through ADHD testing, therapy can be a great option to help with symptom management.

Feel free to contact me to learn more about the benefits of therapy for ADHD or to set up an appointment.