The Testing Psychologist Podcast 199. Conducting a Valid ADHD Assessment w/ Dr. Julie Suhr & Dr. Allyson Harrison
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Apr 5, 2021 Dr. Julie Suhr, a neuropsychologist and professor at Ohio University, teams up with Dr. Allyson Harrison, a clinical neuropsychologist from Queen's University. They discuss the challenges of valid ADHD assessments, emphasizing the need for comprehensive evaluations that consider underlying factors like anxiety and environmental influences. Key concepts like sensitivity, specificity, and the dangers of self-report biases are explored. The importance of combining quantitative data with qualitative observation is highlighted, along with the significance of ongoing research in this field.
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Overlooking Diagnostic Criteria
- Clinicians often overlook diagnostic criteria when assessing ADHD, relying heavily on self-reporting.
- This can lead to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment, especially considering the high comorbidity with anxiety and depression.
Addressing Marijuana Use and Anxiety
- Educate clients about the cognitive effects of marijuana, especially concerning academic performance.
- Address underlying anxiety through empirically supported treatments before considering stimulant medication.
Perfectionism and Perceived Impairment
- A perfectionistic student reported severe academic impairment despite excellent grades.
- She felt impaired because she didn't achieve 100% on exams, highlighting the subjectivity of self-report.