Evaluating ADHD: Cognition and Malingering
Learn how to evaluate whether someone has ADHD symptoms or may be malingering (registered health professionals only).
About this event (7 CPD hours)
The last few years have seen an explosion in referrals for ADHD assessments. Problematically, ADHD is a complex diagnosis heavily reliant upon self-report data with subjective, and often unrealistic, notions of what is normal and abnormal attention. Clients are often well versed about ADHD when they attend their appointments. This can cause some clients to misunderstand or unintentionally misconstrue their symptoms,whereas others take the opportunity to feign ADHD. After all, restricted stimulant medications are highly sought after for recreational use, weight management, to improve work/study performance, or sales and profit. It’s not uncommon for medicos to decline ADHD assessments in avoidance of a potential investigation for over-prescribing stimulant medications.
This workshop presents a multidisciplinary model of ADHD assessment using the Test of Variables of Attention (T.O.V.A.), self-report measures, and tests of feigning. The T.O.V.A. is a standardised, computerised test of visual and auditory attention for people aged 4+. The objective is to demonstrate how psychologists can contribute to a multidisciplinary model of ADHD assessment and diagnosis, and to upskill practitioners on how to assess attention and feigning. This workshop is open to psychologists, psychiatrists and paediatricians. A brief attention and feigning assessment battery will be demonstrated live to show clinicians how data can be quickly collected and interpreted to assist the diagnosing professional. Guidance on how to undertake comprehensive ADHD evaluations will be provided. The ability to test medication effectiveness will also be demonstrated.
Location and Dates
- Hobart: 2 Feb 2022. Vibe Hotel, Hobart
About Dr Grant Blake
Dr Blake is a clinical psychologist in private practice and a sessional researcher with the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science. His therapeutic practice primarily centres around the treatment of PTSD, depression, grief, anxiety and the multi-disciplinary assessment of adult ADHD. Dr Blake has provided independent expert witness evidence for many complex forensic mental health matters, including for criminal law, family law, child safety, compensation, and decision making capacity. He is an Accredited Medical Practitioner with WorkCover Tasmania to assess compensable psychiatric injuries. He is an active participant in providing shadow expert and independent expert witness evidence on mental health testing and reports.
Interested in other workshops, such as report writing skills and malingering essentials? Click here for more info
THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR REGISTERED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ONLY. REGISTRATION STATUS WILL BE CHECKED WHEN PURCHASING TICKETS. THE INTENDED PARTICIPANTS ARE PSYCHOLOGISTS AND PSYCHIATRISTS.