Hi I have some questions (I guess you already know that!).
I am going to go to a counselor who does testing for ADD on Wednesday (mar 4) and if she thinks I have ADD ( which I am 99.9% sure I do) she will give me the TOVA test. Will you guys please tell me of your experiences with this test? All I know is that it sounds long and boring!
Ok, another question. If and when I get diagnosed how will I go about getting the medication I need, if I actually need it of course. Because I am aware that the counselor cannot give meds.
Thank you for help in advance!
Britawn

From what I have read, the TOVA (test of variables of attention) is computer based. Letters or symbols or something flash up on the screen and you press a key if it meets some criterion - certain color, letter, etc. It measures reaction time and errors (you press the key for the wrong letter or miss one). It's really boring so ADDers can't help but tune out, I guess.
Let us know all about it - I haven't taken it, but I prob. will be soon, so I'd like to know for certain how it works!
Good luck at your appointment.
Regards,
Greg

From what I have read the TOVA is SUPPOSED to be long and boring. It's one of the ways that it can diagnose people who have trouble dealing with situations that are long and boring, if you see what I mean...

Thanks you guys, I will let everyone know how this TOVA works, I don;t know when or if I will take it though.
Britawn

I took that test and came away feeling like I'd missed maybe a half dozen cues and thought it pointless.

As it turns out I was wrong and had missed so many that the results from that test were quite helpful in putting the rest of the tests in perspecitve.

Good luck with it.
Cheers! Ian.

AD/HD needs to be diagnosed by signs and symptoms. The Tova is not an approved test that can diagnose or rule out AD/HD. It may help with the dignosis process but make sure that this is not the only or major diagnostic tool being used.



As for medication most like you will be refered to and MD or nurse practictioner.

She won't give me the TOVA on the first day, just eventually if she thinks I have it.

If you insurance covers it then go for it. But if you are paying out of pocket the Tova isn't worth it. It isn't a valid test to diagnose AD/HD.

LivingwithADD: What are the 'valid' tests then? Because in the state I am in the TOVA exam (either aural or visual) are valid in confirming the diagnosis of ADHD. They do have to be administered with some other tests, but they are still standard.

I am just trying to understand in what context you are speaking: 1) Are talking about the area where you are; 2) In the national sense; or 3) on average.

Britawn: I have had the TOVA testing (both types) and it was not a 'fun' experience, but neither was it horrible. It did help my psychologist confirm the diagnosis, however. As far as your meds. Their are several paths that can be taken (depending on your insurance situation): 1) the counselor will refer you to a psychiatrist who will administer a few more tests and record an 'official' diagnosis of ADD/ADHD with specifying type; 2) the counselor will linstruct you to go to your Primary Care Physician, who will then refer you to a psychiatrist; or 3) you will simply go to your Primary Care Physician for treatment (not recommended). Your specific situation may be different, but that is how the Counselors that I interned with handled ADD/ADHD diagnoses.

Hope this helped.

MM

There are no actual tests for AD/HD.

I am not sure I agree with your definition of 'test'. There is technically no 'test' for leukemia either only a test for higher or lower white blood cell counts, but we still consider the blood test just that a test or indicator of the presence of leukemia.

Their are tests that are used to establish the presence of ADD/ADHD in an individual. A psychiatrist, counselor, psychologists, etc. makes an initial diagnosis, but that diagnosis is not deemed to be correct until a series of tests are administered to help confirm diagnosis. Tests such as TOVA (aural and visual), psychosocial tests, etc.

MM

None of those that you listed actually confirm or dismiss the diagnosis of AD/HD. Like most of the other conditions listed in the DSM-IV AD/HD is disgnosed by signs and symptoms.

Again. I will have to disagree with you. They do infact confirm diagnosis by confirming the presence of the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, else they would not be utilized. Every illness is initially diagnosed by its signs and symptoms, but a confirmation is still neccessary.

As a counselor, I cannot base a diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD on the DSM alone. I must be able to substantiate my observations of behaviors with tests such as TOVA, psychosocial, etc. Without these confirmations the diagnosis is considered to be situational and is not considered valid to referring psychiatrist, counselors, insurance companies, disability departments, etc.

So, while semantically, you can say their are no 'tests' for ADD/ADHD, in the Mental Health field, at least as I am experiencing it as a counselor in a Mental Health Hospital, that ideology does not work. We do have tests to confirm diagnosis or the only thing a DSM diagnosis qualifies for is an opinion.

MM

Well most of the AD/HD experts differ in opinion with you.

No. Some of them do. Not most of them. Their is no 'most' of them. That is part of the problem with ADD and why tests such as TOVA are being administered. We can't even agree if ADD really exists (I obviously think it does).

Besides. Say what you mean. What you mean is 'I don't agree with you." and that is perfectly fine. Disagree with me as much as you would like, I am glad you are involved enough with ADD to even register an opinion, but don't be inaccurate. Their are experts who disagree with me, but their are equally as many who do agree with me. For example. Dr. Amen obviously agrees that their are tests which confirm ADD/ADHD. After all what do you think the concept of SPECT scans are about?

MM

Thank you guys for your help. I hope the counslor can help me. I do not have insurance by the way. Mighty Mouse, as a counselor how much do you think I will be spending on all this. just a "guess" would be helpful for me!

it really depends on the area that you live in. For example, here in Atlanta the total birage of testing usually costs anywhere from $250 to $500 (denpending on who is diagnosing you [ aka psychiatrists, counselor, psychologist, etc.]) I have spoken with others who have paid as little as $150 and I have spoken with people who have paid as much as $800 adn $1200 for their tests. I wish I could give you a more definite answer, but it is based on so many factors that it is hard to predict (aka insurance reimbursment, cost of living in the area, etc.)

Good luck. you can also try local psychology clinics, if you have one, and see if you can be see on a pro-rated or sliding scale. Check universities and behavioral health systems in your area for these clinics or organizations that provide counseling for those without insurance.

MM

Wow thanks!

Your welcome. Good luck. Let us know how everything is going.

MM