What are the examinations for childhood hyperactivity disorder?
Disease description:
My child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). During class, he/she constantly fidgets and moves around—looking left and right, cracking his/her fingers. I would like to take him/her to the hospital for an evaluation and would like to ask what kinds of assessments or tests are involved in diagnosing childhood ADHD?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
The examination for childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) mainly includes the following aspects:
1. Electroencephalogram (EEG) Test: This is a common diagnostic method used to record spontaneous brain electrical activity in a resting state. Statistics show that 50% of children with ADHD present abnormal EEG findings, compared with only 10–15% of normal children who show mild abnormalities.
2. Pointing Test: This test assesses the possibility of ADHD by observing the continuity and flexibility of the child's pointing movements. If the child's movements are disjointed and inflexible, this may indicate a positive result.
3. Finger-to-Nose Test: The child is asked to touch his or her own nasal tip with a finger, performing the task five times with eyes open and five times with eyes closed. Coordination and speed are observed; movements that are overly forceful, clumsy, or significantly deviated may suggest ADHD.
4. Hand-Patting Test: This test involves repeatedly flipping both hands in place under specified conditions. The amplitude of elbow swing, hand posture during flipping, and whether the fingers remain together are observed to assess the possibility of ADHD.
