Assessment of Attention in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Problems in Primary Care Settings

Abstract

Clinical child psychologists in primary care settings are often asked to evaluate children with suspected attention and learning problems. This paper will review some of the methods and assessments available to child psychologists to enable them to perform this task. Some problems with current practice will be described and some of the newer techniques will be introduced. A research-based understanding of areas of chronic impairment of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) will be discussed, and a new approach to the assessment of both executive functions and attention will be explored. This paper will primarily explore assessment in the primary care setting.