This site is specifically designed to tackle the issue of testing for ADD/ADHD.  We want the public to better understand the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, the “testing” methods used in determining an ADD/ADHD diagnosis, the many drug “treatments” used for this diagnosis, and the risks involved with drug “treatment”.  This site provides a deeper look at many of the “tests” being administered to children and adults, and it takes on these individual “testing” methods directly on its testing page.  It is to your advantage to read carefully through this site's homepage before you view each individual “testing” method that is listed for you.

It is important that you clearly understand the differences between the words subjective and objective.  To have a thorough understanding of these two words will make you better understand the overall “wishy washy” nature that these “tests” or “assessments” have overall, when attempting to determine anything conclusive about a child.

Something that can be seen or easily measured is said to be objective. A person who develops cancer or diabetes can be diagnosed based on objective tests (blood, urine, bodily fluids, bile, or brain) that will show the cancer or diabetes within them.

Something that cannot be measured or verified conclusively, or where conclusions can vary quite dramatically based on the observations of different viewers, indicates what is considered to be subjective.  A teacher might observe that a child has marked inattention on a daily basis in his or her classroom.  This is the teacher’s own observations.  Another teacher observing this same child in her classroom setting might view the child in a different light, and not consider this child to have marked inattention.  This is what is meant when the term subjective is used.  It follows that hyperactivity is subjective as well and can fluctuate based on who is doing the observing/viewing, that persons viewpoint, their own temperament, their patience level, their tolerance, and also their own bias.  All of these affect how a child is viewed.

With this in mind we will continue with some of the popular “tests” used in diagnosing ADD/ADHD.  Bear in mind that each of these “tests” uses DSM-IV criteria (click link to show list of characteristics) for supporting a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.  No scientific Validation, other than this DSM-IV list is ever presented.  At this point it is critical to restate the fact that the American Psychiatric Association (APA) voted ADD in as a “mental disorder” by a show of hands (majority vote) in 1980 at their committee meeting, without scientific evidence present.   It was placed in the DSM-III (third edition).  In 1987, ADHD was voted in by a similar show of hands (majority vote) as well, and placed into the DSM-IV (fourth edition).  Both committee meetings failed to produce, and or demonstrate, scientific evidence to support these disorders as brain malfunctions, diseases, chemical imbalances, neuro-biological conditions, illnesses; all of which are popular terms coined and marketed today.

In 1998, The National Institute of Health held a Conference on ADD/ADHD.  At the end of this conference they issued this statement: "....We do not have an independent, valid test for ADD/ADHD and there are no data to indicate that ADD/ADHD is due to a brain malfunction."

Rating scales, surveys, questionnaires, checklists, and profiles are all being given to children, and even adults, today by teachers, mental health providers, doctors, and parent’s.  These are sadly being marketed misleadingly to the public as valid tests in determining a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.

There are other rating scales, surveys, questionnaires, and checklists that are being marketed as “tests” or “indicators” of ADHD that are not listed individually on this site.  This site specifically lists the most popularly used “testing” methods.  All other "testing" methods not listed, could similarly be pulled apart in much the same way that those listed are.  What a person needs to always remember, again and again, is that NO “test” has ever been validated in the determination of ADD/ADHD.

Many checklists, questionnaires, surveys, and rating scales provide in fine print at the bottom a University name.  An example of this is on the ACTeRS Profile for Boys teacher rating scale, where it is noted at the bottom in small print, the Institute for Child Behavior and Development, University of Illinois. What this clearly demonstrates is that these so-called “tests” are RESEARCH.  This is RESEARCH that is being conducted on our children without our full knowledge or understanding of what truly is taking place. This RESEARCH constitutes a violation of our parental informed consent rights.

Finally, this site needs to point out that with each so-called testing method there always follows a cost.  Each questionnaire, survey, rating scale, checklist costs money.  This unscientific approach to obtain a diagnosis sure appears to be pretty pricey when you look a little deeper into it.  The public needs to be aware that these checklists, ratings scales, questionnaires, surveys, all contain the list of characteristics found in the DSM-IV.   Anyone can obtain a copy of the DSM-IV criteria for ADHD at their local library.  Are parents being told this?  Absolutely not!  Why purchase checklists when you can get pretty much the same thing for free.  Mind-boggling?  Not really.  ADD/ADHD is a vast market, a world of warehouses with products, gimmicks, books, videos, testing methods, teacher resources, parent resources, and much, much more.  In reality ADD/ADHD is a billion dollar industry built upon our children.  The ADD/ADHD market and its substantial profits create a swarm of those industries, organizations, groups, mental health providers, and doctors that have taken up the “Everybody is cashing in and I want to be included philosophy.”  A classic example of this is a doctor that is found online selling ADD/ADHD tests to the public for a steal of a price, only $4.99!  Click on the link below to read a letter to him regarding this and his response in which he claims that “He is doing us all a favor by saving us money.” Unbelievable? Not really when you consider the mentality and focus of those fixed on profits.

 http://ablechild.org/Letters/selling%20online%20adhd%20test%208-6-04.htm  This is a prime example of what has been termed “Everyone is cashing in mentality.”  Classic.

How we know in addition to the NIH 1998 Consensus Statement that these surveys, ratings scales, questionnaires are not valid tests or indicators that a child has ADD/ADHD:

The Department of Defense, itself, hired Tricare, an independent Medical Organization to evaluate the reliability of Continuous Performance Tests (Connor’s Rating Scale, TOVA, other checklists, profiles, and rating scales) used in the determination of a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.   They determined that “there was no particular purpose for CPT’s other than research.”  

Furthermore, it cannot be restated enough, that NO ADD/ADHD rating scale, checklist, survey, questionnaires has ever been validated, endorsed, or recommended by ANY Local, State, or Federal Government!!