ADHD - Research criteria for diagnosis of the predominantly inattentive subtype

Abstract

In this study we aim at identifying medical procedures necessary for the accurate diagnosis of ADHD - inattentive subtype and verify whether these procedures were applied to the diagnosis of a sample of 10 children, students from a private school in the city of Sao Jose de Rio Preto. We base our work on scientific literature and on interviews with three neurologists. The procedures we reported were based on interviews and questionnaires. Data analysis pointed to the widespread use of DSM-IV in most cases. However referral to multidisciplinary assessments depends on the criteria used by each physician and does not follow a guideline. The results showed that none of the diagnoses of the sample followed all the procedures mentioned revealing the need to establish a wide protocol, aggregating the participation of other professionals (speech therapists, educational psychologists, psychologists, etc..) This may ensure diagnostic accuracy, and help to discard possibilities and investigate factors relating to the difficulties presented by the inattentive child.