Evidence-Based Assessment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Using Multiple Sources of Information

Abstract

The present column illustrates step-by-step the process of acquiring and integrating information according to the recommendations of evidence-based practices ( Kraemer, 1992 Kraemer HC Evaluating Medical Tests: Objective and Quantitative Guidelines. Sage Publications, Newbury Park, CA1992 Google Scholar , Sackett et al., 2000 Sackett DL Straus SE Richardson WS Rosenberg W Haynes RB Evidence-Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM. 2nd ed. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh2000 Google Scholar ). A case example models the process, leading to specific recommendations regarding instruments and strategies for evidence-based assessment (EBA) of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, combined type (ADHD-C). The diagnostic process presented here is consistent with EBA as defined in the text for this series by Guyatt and Rennie, 2002 Guyatt GH Rennie D Guyatt GH Rennie D User's Guide to the Medical Literature. AMA Press, Chicago2002 Google Scholar . In addition, the column shows how to convert scores using normative data and effect sizes (see Morgan et al., 2005 Morgan G Harmon R Gliner J Clinicians' guide to research methods and statistics. http://www.jaacap.com/pt/re/jaacap/reasearchmethodsstats.htmDate: 2005 Google Scholar for information on effect sizes) into useful diagnostic information about individual cases. Because ADHD, predominantly inattentive type is thought by some experts to be a very different disorder ( Milich et al., 2001 Milich R Balentine AC Lynam DR ADHD combined type and ADHD predominantly inattentive type are distinct and unrelated disorders. Clin Psychol Sci Pract. 2001; 8: 463-488 Crossref Scopus (483) Google Scholar ), with a distinct cognitive profile ( Hinshaw et al., 2002 Hinshaw SP Carte ET Sami N Treuting JJ Zupan BA Preadolescent girls with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: II. Neuropsychological performance in relation to subtypes and individual classification. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2002; 70: 1099-1111 Crossref PubMed Scopus (157) Google Scholar ), this article is focused on ADHD-C.