With every published study that comes out, we develop a deeper understanding of ADHD and find new ways to treat or diagnose this mysterious disorder. Two new studies on “mirror movements” reveals some interesting clues about childhood ADHD symptoms that may pave the way for a new way of testing for ADHD.
Just as there is more than one way to skin the proverbial cat, there are many ways to test for ADHD. The UnRitalin Solution’s ADHD test protocol is designed to uncover the causes of the disorder, and the first step we take is to confirm that the child indeed has ADHD. ADHD cannot be diagnosed based on the symptoms alone because they resemble normal childhood behaviors or symptoms of other disorders. In addition, doctors need input from parents, teachers, and relatives, who each have subjective interpretations on the severity of the child’s symptoms.
Recently, a company called BioBehavioral Diagnostics was able to design, test, and release an ADHD diagnostic system called the Quotient ADHD System. This non-invasive device is the first FDA-approved diagnostic test for ADHD, and it claims to objectively measure the three symptoms of ADHD using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and motion sensors.
Numerous studies have confirmed that ADHD indeed has a genetic basis, which is worrisome for parents who recognize the symptoms from their childhood experiences. As a result, many companies capitalize on this information by offering home DNA tests for various inherited conditions, including bipolar disorder and ADHD. Can a home DNA test predict the onset of ADHD in your child? How useful can such a test be?
Most pediatricians and psychiatrists diagnose ADHD based on a series of criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). According to the DSM-IV, there are three types of ADHD: inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined type. But did you know that there are more than three types of ADHD?
Psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen has handled hundreds of children and adults with ADHD and developed a special brain imaging technique called the SPECT test to help him find the cause of the condition. His work on SPECT imaging made him realize the full complexity of the disorder. Over the years, he noticed that there are six distinct SPECT patterns in his ADHD patients, and that each requires a specialized treatment. Based on these observations, Dr. Amen came up with the six types of ADHD.