In order to receive a definitive diagnosis, testing should be performed by a licensed psychologist who is trained and experienced in ADD evaluations.
I prefer to use the Woodcock Johnson Test. It is actually two tests, one for cognitive ability and one for achievement. These tests provide a single source of data that is highly researched and normed against a wide range of children and adults throughout the United States.
The tests have excellent reliability and validity. I especially like that fact that most of the tests are tightly timed, with specific or subtle time limits for most tasks. In this sense, I believe the test have the ability to generalize and predict performance in the real world which moves swiftly.
A complete battery of tests provides a wealth of information that can be highly useful in diagnosing and planning.
Cognitive Abilities
The Woodcock Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities includes measures of:
- Broad attention
- Working memory
- Short term auditory and visual memory
- Long term memory
- Speed of retrieving stored information
- Processing speed
- Visual planning
- Higher level cognitive reasoning and planning
Achievement
The Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement include measures of:
- Broad reading
- Reading speed
- Reading comprehension
- Word identification and phonetic reading skills
- Broad writing
- Spelling and ability to correct written text
- Writing speed
- Quality of written expression
- Broad math skills
- Speed of basic calculation
- Application of math to everyday problems
- Oral language and expression
- Listening comprehension