ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder described as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that impedes daily life or standard development. In 2011, it was reported that approximately 11% of children 4-17 years old were diagnosed with ADHD. That’s a staggering 6.4 million, and the numbers are steadily rising. To be diagnosed with ADHD, children must exhibit a certain number of specific symptoms, which are sometimes hard to evaluate in the office. Practitioners often have to rely on teachers and/or parents to fill out subjective questionnaires.
At CentreSpringMD + Peds, we understand there can be many challenges along the road to diagnosing a child with ADHD. Our caring team of providers in Atlanta want to help support parents and care-givers every step of the way. That’s why our team has done the research and is introducing the Quotient System to aid in identifying ADHD symptoms in children to help with accuracy in diagnosis.
What is quotient testing?
The Quotient System is a device that measures hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention as an aid in the evaluation of ADHD. With Quotient, a child or adult’s micro-movements using advanced motion tracking technology. This computerized test takes less than half an hour in our office. After the test is finished, patterns of motion, accuracy of the responses, and fluctuations in attention state are quickly analyzed and scored using proprietary algorithms.
What we like most about Quotient is that it’s an objective test that doesn’t rely on people’s opinions, frustrations, or observations. It’s a computer tool that gives an objective score. Many times, the diagnosis is unclear. Your child’s symptoms might be anxiety, OCD, or some other diagnosis is masking itself as ADHD. But Quotient will help make that distinction.
How does it work?
Children 6 years and older will wear a headset that is hooked up to a computer, and complete an age-appropriate 30-minute test involving pressing the space bar in specific situations. They will have a chance to practice and ask questions before the test begins.
What are the results?
An infrared motion tracking system records the movement of the head reflector, as well as the responses to the changing stimuli on the screen. When the test is complete, the data is uploaded to the quotient server and a comprehensive report is generated. The objective report will help our CentreSpringMD providers to more comprehensively evaluate your child for ADHD, after which appropriate treatments can be discussed at your follow-up visits.
Scores and test data provide you with valuable insights into both the existence of ADHD-related deficits and the magnitude of those deficits compared to expectable results from typically developing children of the same age and gender.
We are excited to be able to offer this FDA-approved test at our Johns Creek CentreSpringMD + Peds location, with the improved diagnostic accuracy it will bring!
