ADHD Test - Screening for Learning Disorders

Children who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivityhis or her scores to the median scores of his or her
disorder essentially suffer from a developmental delay.age group. Although group intelligence tests are never
It is not uncommon for ADHD children to alsothe basis for diagnosing a learning disability, they help
experience learning disorders along with chronicdetermine if a child will need further testing.
hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. These learning2) Individual intelligence tests. These one-on-one tests
disorders include dyslexia (problems processinginvolve question-and-answer sessions, timed activities,
language), sensory integration disorder, and dysgraphiaand game-like puzzles and tasks.
(difficulty writing). A co-morbid learning disorder can3) Computerized tests. These are similar to individual
probably explain why your ADHD child may have poorintelligence tests, except the activities are done via
school performance and social skills. Due tocomputer software. The advantage of computerized
neurological dysfunctions, children with ADHDtests is that they can measure the child's
understand, receive, and communicate sensorycomprehension level and responses to stimuli in real
information differently from other children.time.
Since learning disabilities often occur along with theThe Dyslexia Test 7-16
symptoms of ADHD, most experts and practitionersThe Dyslexia Test 7-16 was developed by learning
perform certain tests to identify learning disorders thatexperts from Direct Learning to detect dyslexia in
will be addressed during the course of treatment. Yourchildren 7 to 16 years old. The first part of the test is a
child might encounter one of the following tests duringgroup intelligence test, where scores from a
the first meeting with his or her health care specialist.standardized reading and spelling test will be compared
Intelligence testto those of the test taker's age group. Aside from the
For your child to qualify for special education, he or shestandardized test, you will have to fill out a
will need to take intelligence tests designed to identifystandardized questionnaire that asks you to rate the
learning disorders. Most intelligence tests can givesymptoms of dyslexia found in your child. There is also
relevant information on the child's problem-solving skills,another questionnaire that tests for Scotopic Sensitivity
cognitive functioning, and reasoning. There are twoSyndrome, ADHD, and delayed learning disorder.
basic types of intelligence tests that screen for certainCurriculum-based assessment tests
learning disabilities: tests of nonverbal intelligence (theCurriculum-based assessment tests are designed by
ability to understand and solve visual and spatialteachers and guidance counselors to measure the
problems) and tests of verbal intelligence (the ability tochild's level of comprehension when classroom
comprehend and solve written or language-basedmaterials are presented. Although these tests do not
problems). Intelligence tests take on three basic forms.identify what learning disorder the child has, they are
1) Group intelligence tests. These are the traditionalvery helpful in spotting the child's problem areas and
intelligence tests administered by guidance counselorsare useful sources of data for the child's health care
and learning specialists. The child's cognitive abilities andspecialist.
academic comprehension are assessed by comparing