Preparing Your Child for an ADHD Evaluation: A Comprehensive Guide

An ADHD evaluation is a crucial step in understanding your child’s unique needs and challenges. However, preparing your child for an ADHD evaluation can be a daunting task for many parents. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help parents navigate this process and ensure a successful evaluation.

Understanding the Evaluation Process
The decision to get your child evaluated for ADHD can be overwhelming. You may have sifted through advice from well-meaning friends and family, asked for referrals, or found an evaluation center through your insurance company. Once you have scheduled the evaluation, you may have questions about what to expect and what to bring to the evaluation. Each evaluator will be slightly different, but there are general guidelines that can help you prepare.

Preparing Your Child for the Evaluation

1. Medication on the Day of the Evaluation
   If this is a diagnostic evaluation (where the doctor evaluates whether your child has ADHD), it is almost always recommended that the child NOT be medicated. The evaluator wants to see what your child looks like without medication to get an accurate baseline of their behavior. However, if your child already has an ADHD diagnosis and you suspect your child might have a learning disability or other diagnosis, it is typically recommended that your child take their medication as they would for school.
2. What to Bring to the Evaluation
   Typically, it is recommended to send any previous evaluation reports or school documents before the actual day of the evaluation. This allows the evaluator time to review all of the documents and plan the testing accordingly. Also, bring water and snacks if your child is likely to get hungry or thirsty. You can also bring your child’s favorite toys or games to play during breaks in testing. If your child wears glasses or contacts, make sure they have those with them.
3. How to Talk to Your Child About the Evaluation
   Children tend to pick up on how their parents are feeling. Therefore, it is recommended that parents stay calm and optimistic about the appointment. You can tell your child that the evaluator will play games, look at books, and talk with them. You can also explain that the evaluator is trying to learn how their brain learns the best to help their parents and teachers find the best ways to teach them.

In conclusion, preparing your child for an ADHD evaluation involves understanding the evaluation process, deciding on medication use on the day of the evaluation, knowing what to bring to the evaluation, and talking to your child about the evaluation. By following these steps, parents can help ensure a successful ADHD evaluation for their child.