From Concern to Clarity: How Conners Helps Diagnose ADHD

Comprehensive ADHD Assessment at Shaping Therapies, Thane

When your child shows signs of inattention, restlessness, or struggles in school, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Is it a phase? A personality trait? Or could it be something deeper like ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)?

Let’s be clear ADHD is real. It’s not just a label or an excuse for misbehaviour. It affects focus, impulse control, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. But diagnosis isn’t about jumping to conclusions. That’s where the Conners Rating Scale, a powerful clinical tool, comes into play.

This blog explains exactly how Conners works, why it’s used, what the full ADHD diagnosis process looks like, and how our team at Shaping Therapies in Thane supports families from the first signs to structured therapy plans.

What Is ADHD, Really?

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that commonly begins in childhood and may persist into adulthood. It is characterised by challenges in:

Sustained attention
Impulse control
Restlessness or hyperactivity
Task organization and time management

While every child can be forgetful or energetic, ADHD symptoms are more intense, more frequent, and interfere with day-to-day life especially at school and in social settings.

Common Signs of ADHD in Children:

Difficulty staying focused or following instructions
Frequently interrupting others or talking excessively
Trouble waiting their turn
Constant movement or fidgeting
Losing items, forgetting tasks, or avoiding mental effort
Emotional outbursts, frustration intolerance

Early signs often show up between ages 4 to 7, but many children go undiagnosed due to lack of awareness or confusion with other behaviours like anxiety, giftedness, or sensory issues.

How Is ADHD Diagnosed?

ADHD cannot be diagnosed through a single test. It requires a comprehensive evaluation gathering behavioural data, medical history, family input, and school performance records.

ADHD Assessment Usually Includes:

Clinical interviews with parents
Behavioural observations
Input from school (teachers, counsellors)
Standardised questionnaires (like Conners test)
Sometimes, cognitive/academic testing
Rule-outs for learning disabilities, anxiety, or trauma

This is where the Conners Rating Scale becomes essential; it adds structured, research-based insight to help separate normal behaviour from clinical ADHD.

What Is the Conners Rating Scale?

The Conners Rating Scale is one of the most widely used ADHD screening tools, used by psychologists and pediatricians globally. It helps assess whether a child or adolescent is showing behavioural signs that match the diagnostic criteria for ADHD (as per DSM-5).

Versions of the Conners Tool:

Version	Target	Filled By	Age Group
Conners 3 – Parent	Home behaviours	Parents/Guardians	6–18 yrs
Conners 3 – Teacher	School behaviours	Teachers	6–18 yrs
Conners Early Childhood (Conners EC)	Preschool behaviours	Parents & Teachers	2–6 yrs
Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS)	Adult ADHD symptoms	Self/Spouse/Clinician	18+ yrs

Each form contains structured questions across categories like:

Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
Inattention
Executive Functioning
Peer Relations
Emotional Dysregulation

The scores are compared against normative data from children in the same age and gender group. This gives psychologists an objective baseline to support (or rule out) an ADHD diagnosis.

Why Use Conners for ADHD Diagnosis?

The Conners tool isn’t a replacement for clinical judgment; it enhances accuracy by adding data to what parents and professionals already observe.

Key Benefits of the Conners Tool:

Objective comparison across age/gender norms
Multi-setting input (home and school)
Identifies ADHD subtypes (inattentive, hyperactive, combined)
Helps differentiate ADHD from anxiety or learning disorders
Aids in designing personalised therapy or classroom strategies

Many parents assume that just because a child is energetic or distracted, it means ADHD but the Conners prevent mislabeling by clearly outlining patterns and severity.

Our Process at Shaping Therapies, Thane

At Shaping Therapies in Thane, we follow a systematic, non-judgmental approach that helps parents make sense of their child’s behaviour whether it’s ADHD or something else.

ADHD Assessment Flow:

Initial Parent Consultation: We discuss your concerns, developmental history, school reports, and emotional/behavioural patterns.
Conners Form Distribution: Parents and teachers complete the forms in their respective environments.
Scoring & Clinical Interpretation: Our psychologists score the Conners forms and interpret results alongside clinical interviews.
Feedback Session: We share insights, clarify doubts, and suggest next steps diagnosis, therapy, school accommodations if needed.

Our goal? Not just to “diagnose” but to guide your child toward structured support from behaviour therapy and occupational therapy to family counseling and parent training.

Is It ADHD or Something Else?

This is one of the biggest reasons why using tools like Conners with professional guidance is essential.

ADHD-like symptoms can also be caused by:

Anxiety or emotional trauma
Poor sleep or nutrition
Learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia)
Sensory processing disorders
High IQ (giftedness with asynchronous development)

We don’t jump to conclusions, we dig deeper. That’s why we often combine Conners with clinical interviews, developmental checklists, and if required, IQ or cognitive testing.

Therapy Options after Diagnosis

If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, it’s not a dead end. It’s a roadmap. At Shaping Therapies, Thane, we offer a range of personalised therapies tailored to your child’s unique profile.

Therapies That Help:

Behaviour Therapy – Improve self-control, reduce outbursts
Occupational Therapy – Support sensory regulation, handwriting, motor skills
Speech-Language Therapy – For communication or comprehension delays
Social Skills Training – For peer interactions and emotional maturity
Parent Guidance – Strategies for discipline, attention span, and routines

Our therapists work collaboratively with parents and schools to ensure consistent support across all environments.

When Should You Seek a Conners Assessment?

If you’ve noticed any of the following for more than 6 months, across home and school, it’s a good time to talk to a therapist:

✅ Trouble following multi-step instructions
✅ Poor focus or constant forgetfulness
✅ Frequent fidgeting or impulsive actions
✅ Difficulty making or keeping friends
✅ Tantrums, emotional outbursts, or sleep problems
✅ Teachers reporting difficulty in class

ADHD Assessment at Shaping Therapies, Thane – Book Now

Getting clarity on your child’s behaviour can lift a huge weight off your shoulders. At Shaping Therapies, Thane, we’re here to help you move from concern to clarity with tools like the Conners Rating Scale, professional psychological evaluations, and a compassionate, child-first approach.

📞 Call now to schedule your ADHD consultation
📍 Visit our therapy centre in Thane or opt for hybrid sessions
💬 Got questions? Our team is just one message away.

Let’s stop guessing and start understanding.

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