How do they test for add and adhd?

Professional eval: There are a number of tests & tools available. But no one "test" is determinative. An experienced mental health expert may or may not even utilize a proprietary "test". Such an evaluation includes a thorough history &discussion with the expert, who then can employ 1 or more tests, or not, to provide additional info. In the end, the evaluator should use tests with which he/she has confidence.

Criteria & surveys: It usually starts with filling out forms (like vanderbilts or connors) to determine if you have the signs and symptoms of add (inattention)/adhd (hyperactivity and impulsivity). Then there are criteria such as age the symptoms started (before 7), if it affects you in more than one enviroment (work & home), that it causes a significant problem & that it's not explained by another medical problem.

Great question : Add is a neurobiological condition that has neurological signs. Like many conditions, questionnaires are used initially, but these are not definitive. The neurodevelopmental examination detects signs & findings typical of add such as synkinesia, abnormal eye movements, dyskinesia, poor working memory, temporal sequential problems, mixed dominance, disordered handwriting, impulsivity, poor saliency.

Clinical Exam: Adhd (and add) are diagnosed by clinical examination and history. Neuropsychological testing is done primarily in children, not to diagnose adhd (or add), which it doesn't do very well, but to uncover associated learning problems, like types of dyslexia, deficits in comprehension, etc. These are less important in adults and the expense attached to that testing doesn't add much to the picture.