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Testing and ADHD
A.B.O.U.T. Behavior #52 : Is Testing Useful for Diagnosing ADHD?
ADHD intertwines with testing in at least two ways. Many organizations require neuropsychologic testing to “verify” the existence of ADHD for disability status and to receive accommodations at work or school. And a major benefits of such status grants students additional time to complete tests for their classes. Testing also came up recently regarding Mr. Trump. Family members assert that he had cheated on his SAT exam by having another man take the test for him, in order to obtain a higher score and facilitate his admission to the prestigious Wharton Business School. When questioned about the matter, the White House issued a rather testy denial. An examination of testing and ADHD stirs up rather strong sentiments.
In my experience, the student services offices of most US universities require neuropsychological testing as part of their mandatory criteria to confirm an ADHD diagnosis. The SAT, GRE, MCAT, and LSAT have a similar requirement. These demands exist despite the utter lack of evidence that neuropsychological testing provides any valuable information for formulating a diagnosis of ADHD. It is particularly ironic that the official gatekeepers for the training of doctors, psychologists, and therapists erect barriers to admission that are not substantiated by research in their…
