How is ADHD diagnosed in children?

Jun 27, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My child is particularly mischievous and always moving around; it might be caused by ADHD. I want to take my child to the hospital for an examination. How is ADHD diagnosed in children?

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 assesses brain function by recording electrical activity in the brain. About 50% of children with ADHD show abnormal EEG results, primarily表现为 (manifested as) moderate abnormalities or epileptic activity. 2. Behavioral tests: Such as the finger-to-point test and finger-to-nose test, these evaluate a child's coordination and speed by observing their performance in specific tasks. Children with ADHD often display disconnected movements, clumsiness, or numerous errors during these tests. 3. Physical examination: Although children with ADHD typically show no obvious positive physical signs during examination, they may exhibit some mild neurological signs, such as large elbow swings or clumsy hand-flipping movements during the hand-flipping test. 4. Symptom assessment: Doctors conduct a comprehensive evaluation based on the child's behavioral presentation, academic performance, family environment, and other factors to determine whether ADHD is present.