EDAH Test

General Description

The EDAH test, or scale for the evaluation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is a standardized psychometric assessment method used to detect the presence or absence of symptoms associated with the disorder, thereby facilitating its diagnosis.

ADHD is a chronic and persistent neurobiological disorder that typically begins in childhood or adolescence. It primarily affects biological processes related to learning, emotional adaptation, and social interaction. It is characterized by three groups of symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

One of the most widely used assessment scales is the Conners scales, designed by C. Keith Conners in 1969 as a means of measuring the impact of pharmacological treatment on hyperactive children. These scales were later adapted for use in preliminary evaluation and diagnosis. The scales have both an original and an abbreviated version and are based on observation, gathering information from the child’s family and teachers.

When Is It Indicated?

The Conners scale can be applied to children between the ages of 6 and 12 who exhibit characteristic ADHD behaviors, including:

• Excessive motor restlessness.
• Impatience, impulsivity, and irritability.
• Difficulty paying attention and concentrating.
• Sudden mood changes.
• Inability to complete tasks once started.
• Difficulty following instructions.
• Disorganization and lack of order.

How Is It Performed?

Both parents and teachers answer a questionnaire containing questions or items that describe different behaviors associated with ADHD. They rate the intensity of these behaviors in the child using four response options: "none," "a little," "quite a bit," or "a lot," which are scored as 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

The Conners scale for families consists of 93 items (48 in the abbreviated version), grouped into eight factors: behavioral disturbances, fear, anxiety, restlessness-impulsivity, immaturity-learning difficulties, psychosomatic problems, obsession, antisocial behaviors, and hyperactivity.

The Conners scale for teachers, on the other hand, contains 39 items (28 in the abbreviated version), divided into six factors: hyperactivity, behavioral problems, emotional instability, anxiety-passivity, antisocial behavior, and sleep difficulties.

Both scales also include the hyperactivity index, or global index, a set of 10 items describing the prototypical behaviors of a hyperactive child.

Currently, the revised Conners scale is also used, consisting of a global scale with 20 items subdivided into three categories: hyperactivity (5 items), attention deficit (5 items), and hyperactivity with attention deficit and conduct disorder (10 items). The advantage of this revised scale is that it is shorter and allows for distinction among ADHD subtypes (inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined type).

In all cases, results are obtained by summing the scores and taking into account both the patient’s age and gender.

Risks

Although the EDAH scale is a very useful, valid, and reliable assessment tool, it is not sufficient on its own to establish a diagnosis. Without a thorough and comprehensive patient evaluation—including psychological, physical, and neurological examinations—there is a risk of misdiagnosis. ADHD may be mistaken for other conditions such as mood disorders, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorders, or thyroid disorders, among others.

What to Expect from an EDAH Test

The EDAH test is administered by specialists in clinical psychology or psychiatry following an in-depth interview with the patient’s family. Parents or caregivers may fill out the questionnaire in the specialist’s office, and the specialist will also conduct an interview with the teachers before providing them with the test.

The questionnaires are simple to complete and take a short amount of time—ranging from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the specific version and number of items included.

Specialties That Request the EDAH Test

The EDAH test is typically requested by specialists in pediatrics, psychology, or psychiatry.