What does a Good ADHD assessment look like?

his podcast episode discusses what a good assessment for ADHD looks like and how to determine the quality of an assessment report. The conversation explores the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and the importance of a conversation-based assessment rather than a tick-box exercise. The episode also addresses the challenges of history taking, the complexity of assessing childhood symptoms, and the high rates of comorbidity with other conditions. The role of scaffolding and support in hiding symptoms is discussed, as well as the impact of symptoms on functioning. This part of the conversation explores the concepts of impairment and functioning in relation to ADHD diagnosis. It discusses the severity of symptoms and their impact on daily life. The importance of detailed assessment reports and the need for comprehensive information gathering is emphasized. The conversation also delves into the misunderstandings surrounding shared care agreements and the importance of ongoing support and guidance after diagnosis. The chapter concludes with key points to consider in the assessment process and after receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. In this episode, Matt and Andrew discuss the emotional impact of going through the ADHD assessment process and receiving a diagnosis. They explore the uncovering of suppressed emotions and the after-effects of the diagnosis. The conversation delves into the challenges of accepting a disability and reevaluating one's past experiences. They emphasize the importance of finding a supportive community and the pervasive nature of ADHD in one's life. The episode concludes with a reminder that it's okay for ADHD to be difficult and a call to join the ADHD community. Takeaways A good assessment for ADHD involves a conversation-based approach that explores the individual's experiences and symptoms in various settings. Assessments should consider the impact of symptoms on functioning and the presence of coexisting conditions. History taking should be comprehensive and include information about childhood experiences and the individual's mental and physical health. The quality of an assessment report can be determined by the depth of exploration of symptoms and the relationships between different diagnoses. Scaffolding and support from parents or caregivers should be considered in the assessment process, as they may hide symptoms and impairments.

00:00 Introduction and Community Announcement

01:30 What Does a Good Assessment Look Like?

05:27 Response to Panorama Documentary

09:30 Understanding the Diagnostic Criteria

13:01 The Importance of a Conversation-Based Assessment

24:41 The Complexity of History Taking

32:45 The Challenges of Comprehensive Assessments

40:31Assessing Symptoms in Multiple Settings

45:11 The Role of Scaffolding and Support

50:19 ADHD as a Spectrum

56:22 Misunderstandings about Shared Care

58:02 The Journey After Diagnosis

01:02:14 The Emotional Impact of Diagnosis

01:05:14 The Value of a Comprehensive Assessment Report

01:13:43 The Need for Guidance After Diagnosis

01:32:00 The Impact of Diagnosis

01:34:18 Identity and Disability

01:35:17 Finding Your Tribe

01:38:02 Wrap-up and Community

UKAAN Document: https://bjgp.org/content/73/735/473 TALKADHD

Whatsapp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JR8R8jTl5zY0jr8MzXjIE7

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