Plain-language guide to what an ADHD diagnosis in an assessment report means, for a parent or an adult.
If a report names attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it can raise as many questions as it answers. Whether you are a parent reading your child’s report or an adult reading your own, this guide explains what an ADHD diagnosis describes, how a professional arrives at one, and what it does and does not mean for everyday life. It explains a diagnosis your report already names. It does not diagnose, and only a qualified professional can determine whether ADHD fits a particular person.
Quick answer. ADHD is a recognized neurodevelopmental condition involving a lasting pattern of inattention, or hyperactivity and impulsivity, or both, that shows up across settings and gets in the way of daily life. A diagnosis reflects a careful judgment drawn from history, input across settings, and observation, never a single test or score.
What’s Inside the Full Guide
- What ADHD actually describes, in plain terms
- The two symptom areas and the three presentations
- How a professional reaches the diagnosis
- What ADHD is not
- How it can look different in children and adults
- Common supports, accommodations, and next steps