If you're a child or teenager going through an ADHD assessment, your provider may ask for input from your parents and teachers. You might be thinking, "I thought getting treatment was just about me — so why does my provider want reports from my parents and even my teachers? Why go to all this trouble?"
The truth is, there's a good reason for it. If you've ever had these questions, this article might give you the answers.
1. ADHD Shows Up Differently in Different Settings
Symptoms can vary between home and school. You might be more focused in one environment but struggle in another. Teachers can report how you manage in class, while parents see how you function at home. Together, these viewpoints give a fuller picture.
2. Teens Spend Less Time Under One Person's Supervision
In elementary school, one teacher often knows you well and sees you for most of the day. By middle and high school, you have multiple teachers, each seeing you for only part of the day, and your parents may not see much of your school life. This makes it harder for any one person to notice all the patterns. It's like a game with many different levels or scenes: your provider needs to explore each one before they can give a fair review of the whole game.
3. Parents and Teachers Notice Different Things
Parents might see your homework habits, sleep patterns, and mood changes. Teachers often notice attention in class, how you follow instructions, and your interactions with peers. Both sets of observations help confirm whether symptoms are consistent across environments — an important requirement for an ADHD diagnosis.
4. Self-Reports Aren't Always the Whole Picture
We are the main authors of our own lives, and the ones who live through every challenge, so it's natural to feel that we know ourselves best. But we all have our own perspectives and blind spots, and others may notice things from angles we can't easily see. That's why combining your own insights with input from parents, teachers, and other observers can give a more complete and balanced view.
What FasTreat Wants You to Understand
FasTreat wants you to know that gathering input from others might take time, but at the same time it helps ensure nothing important gets missed. ADHD touches many parts of your world, and the more perspectives we have, the better we can understand your needs and create a plan that works for you. Remember, our goal is to help you succeed in every setting.
References:
1.
Citation:
Felt, B. T., Biermann, B., Christner, J. G., Kochhar, P., & Van Harrison, R. (2014, October 1). Diagnosis and management of ADHD in children. AAFP. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2014/1001/p456.html
Website: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2014/1001/p456.html
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Citation:
Wolraich, M. L., Wibbelsman, C. J., Brown, T. E., Evans, S. W., Gotlieb, E. M., Knight, J. R., Ross, E. C., Shubiner, H. H., Wender, E. H., & Wilens, T. (2005). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Adolescents: A review of the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical implications. PEDIATRICS, 115(6), 1734–1746. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2004-1959
PDF: https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/49642148/ADHDAmongAdolescents-libre.pdf
