Identifying ADHD with Professor Susan Young
What is the ADHD Children’s Evaluation and what can it give parents who suspect their child has ADHD? In this episode, Claire is joined by Professor Susan Young to discuss the ACE assessment. Susan shares the real reason that it was developed and how it has quickly been adopted as a tool not just across the UK, but globally, and has also been expanded to include young people and adults.
Professor Susan explains what makes the ACE tool so different from other ‘tick box’ assessment tools and how its design ensures the identification of symptoms that may already be ‘masked’ by changes in behaviour or existing accommodations to minimise impact at school at home. Professor Susan goes on to share other key differences in the ACE tool, including providing space for signs or “pings” of known or unknown co-existing conditions such as autism, allowing for the reality that ”most children will have ADHD plus something else”. She also stresses the Importance of the assessment being carried out by a qualified Healthcare Clinician. so they can truly answer the question: Is this ADHD or something else?
Do you have a boisterous boy or a dreamy giggly girl? Professor Susan shares more about the difference in ADHD presentation between boys and girls and the inherent bias in the ADHD criteria that the ACE tool seeks to counter. Whilst the disruption caused by a typical ADHD boy's behaviour means their ADHD is more likely to be picked up earlier on, with girls their symptoms can be less obvious, for example daydreaming and struggling to maintain friendships. Such is this difference that a recent Study in Sweden uncovered a huge difference in time to diagnosis - although Professor Susan believes the real number could be even larger due to girls' ability to camouflage - even in an assessment interview.
Claire and Professor Susan go on to discuss the importance of early intervention and the wide range of different options parents have to make accommodations and support their child - not just medication. They also discuss the importance of taking it one step at a time and exploring what you can do to support your child whilst you’re waiting for an assessment.
To find out more about Professor Susan’s work, head to her website where you will also find psychoeducational resources and strategies to support children, young people and adults with ADHD, and their parents and carers: http://www.psychology-services.uk.com/service-users
Her books are:
For support with your ADHD child, discover her ‘‘Spot it and Sort it” videos.