How Tutor Pace Can Help You Connect With The Right Tutors

How Tutor Pace Can Help You Connect With The Right Tutors 0SHARESShare Tutor Pace is a platform where a student can find any sort of academic help. They can connect to Tutorpace when he/she needs whether it is homework help, project help, assignment help or simply study sessions with online tutors. The platform aims at connecting students and expert tutors. It employs technology to render sessions interactive and useful. Interactive whiteboards, live sessions, video sessions, voice chats, recording features for sessions and many other such innovative features. This makes it one of the most trusted online tutoring platforms there is. Math is easier than ever before Math is perhaps one of the subjects for which students require additional coaching and tutoring. Tutor Pace handles a lot of requests when it comes to math. Whether it is math homework help, assignment help or project help, students find this platform very easy to use. Whenever a student finds some difficulty with his/her math homework, all he/she needs to do is upload it. The tutor will help them through every step of the problem and solve it with complete explanation. This sort of personalized help ensures that the student feels comfortable. They can voice his/her doubts and thus learn better than in class sometimes (as they don’t fear ridicule or impatience from the teacher). Interactive whiteboards help students learn better and efficient for tutors Interactive whiteboards make learning easy and effective for students. Whether it is a physics tutor or an online math tutor, students can learn the particular concept. Our tutors solve the problem at hand   using the whiteboard and the tutor would assist them. We help students by providing a helping hand and with live feedback. So the students learn as to where they are going wrong. This sort of an interactive learning is very good especially when a student feels threatened by a subject and isn’t able to cope well in a fully packed class. The individual attention and step by step assistance helps them deal with their fears and learn the subject without any pressure. This ensures better grasp of the concepts and also does wonders for their self confidence and improves grades. Other advantages of learning with such a medium are the round the clock availability of tutors, being able to learn from home, safety, connecting as and when a student has doubts, cost effectiveness and technological tools such as e-flashcards, recording of sessions and global connectivity. Given the advantages, it is no wonder that the platform has a lot of takers and is emerging to be one of the most popular medium for learning.

What is a MOOC

What is a MOOC A MOOC, or Massive Open Online Course, is a free, virtual college class available either through a universitys own website or an external website like Coursera or edX. The goal of these courses is to offer the material typically found only in college classrooms to anyone with an internet connection. While no actual college credit is typically awarded for completing one of these courses, many parent institutions provide a certificate of completion (for a fee) and a final grade to their online students. Here is some information on online educationthat you may find useful. With upwards of 10,000 students per class and littleif anycontact with your professor, why should you enroll in a MOOC? Review the below reasons many students opt for MOOCs, and then decide if these courses fit within your academic plan. 1.To preview the content of a class or subject Many MOOCs serve as useful introductions to a given field. Coursera, for example, offers a class entitled, Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health. Designed to be a public health primer, the course lasts just six weeks and has no prerequisites. Classes like these are a wonderful way to determine if you have an interest in a subject before you invest your tuition money, in-class time, and a space on your transcript to a course in that field. This is some great information on the rise on online college courses. 2.To refresh the material learned in a previous course Did you take Calculus I in the first semester of your freshman year of college, but you did not schedule Calculus II until the second semester of your sophomore year? Many students in situations such as these rely upon MOOCs to review the material they have previously. They are then prepared to complete a higher-level class in that subject. 3.To pursue an outside interest that is not offered at your school Even with the comprehensive list of courses that the majority of colleges and universities publish today, students are occasionally unable to explore all of their academic interests. If you attend a small liberal arts college, for example, classes like Financial Markets (available through Yale University on Coursera) may be difficult to find. With MOOCs, you possess the opportunity to learn material not found on your own campus. 4. To enhance a resume Earning a certificate of completion is a concrete method of proving that you have learned enough in a course to pass a college class in that subject. Certain students take a specific MOOC to demonstrate their capabilities to future employers and college or graduate school admissions officers. Here is some great information on how to create your first resume. 5. To challenge yourself Without any academic penalty, students in MOOCs are encouraged to enroll in courses outside their comfort zones. Unlike classes that are recorded on your transcript, MOOCs emphasize progressive learning and understanding over mastery, and they allow students the freedom to learn without the pressure of performing perfectly. 6. Flexibility Because they are online, lectures and problem sets can be completed according to the students schedule. Students can also take as many or as few courses as they wish without penalty, and they are able to drop or add a class frequently. If you are searching for an educational experience focused on furthering your own knowledge with an emphasis on progress, a MOOC might be right for you. The most popular MOOC websites are Coursera.org and Edx.org, but remember that individual universities (like MIT) also maintain their own websites. MOOCs allow you to become an independent learner in a global community, and for some students, being one of 10,000 represents an ideal learning opportunity.

Adding And Subtracting Rational Expressions

Adding And Subtracting Rational Expressions Rational expression is a fraction of two polynomials When polynomials in the denominator 0. For example: - (x^1 + 2)/ (x^2 + 1) is a rational expression where x^2 + 1 0. Other examples of rational expressions like (x + 1) / (x + 2) (3x^2 + 2) / (x + 5) (9x^3 + 6x^2 + 8x + 5) / (7x^2 + 5x + 9) 3/ x 5 / (x + 1) Few examples those are not a rational expressions: - [5 + x^(3/2)] / (x + 9): - It is not a rational expression because 5 + x^ (3/2) is not a polynomial. Polynomial defines that the power should be non- negative intger but 3/ 2 is not an integer. [1 + x ^ (-1)] / x: - -1 is a negative number so numerator is not a polynomial. Hence it is not a rational expression. 2x / [x ^ (2) + 5]: - 2 is not integer so it is not a rational expression. Examples of Adding and subtracting rational expressions: - Add the following rational expressions: - (3x + 2) / x^2, (x^2 + 2) / x^3. Solution: - (3x + 2) / x^2 + (x^2 + 2) / x^3 =[ x (3x + 2) + (x^2 + 2)] / x^3 = (3x^2 + 2x + x^2 + 2) / x^3 = (4x^2 +2x + 2) / x^3 = 2(2x^2 + x + 1) / x^3 Simplify: - (x+1)/(x-1) (x-1)/(x+1) Solution: - [(x+1)^2-(x-1)^2]/[(x+1)(x-1)] =[(x^2+2x+1)-(x^2-2x+1)]/(x^2-1^2) =(x^2+2x+1-x^2+2x-1)/(x^2-1) =4x/(x^2-1)

Coworking Survival Guide for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Coworking Survival Guide for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer Coworking Survival Guide for Introverts Much has been said about coworking spaces, the new alternative to traditional office spaces that bring together freelancers and regular but remote working employees under one roof. While most traditional offices and company facilities have codes of conduct for the workplace, a coworking space may not have as many rules written in stone, but its still important to be aware of common courtesies and pleasant interactions that can make life better for everyone there. This is especially important for those who may be transitioning from working at home to working around others in a new environment. Starting Out With The Introvert Survival Guide Many people who come to work at coworking spaces are introverts. Some people have the wrong idea about introverts as being antisocial or not wanting to have any conversations, but that isnt always the case. In many cases, introverts do love to have conversations when they meet their interests, but they tend to be more picky about what they like to talk about. The great thing about coworking spaces is that since there are many people independently working, an introvert has a good chance to meet someone whos doing similar work to what theyre doing. And if theyre lucky enough, they might have a chance to add a new employee, partner or client by getting to know that person. Some Good Ways To Start Socializing Some coworking spaces have different rooms that have different atmospheres as far as talking and quiet are concerned. People who have big projects that they need a quiet atmosphere to work in will use the quiet corners or library-like rooms in order to maximize their production and meet the deadlines. But for those who need a more collaborative environment or need areas with which to try and talk to others or find a welcoming group of workers, social rooms are a better place to start. Some introverts do well in a group if that group welcomes them in on their own, but they may not do so well if they have to initiate their own way into the group. If thats the case, a good idea is for an introvert to try and find someone else who does most of their work alone and start talking with them. Making The First Approach In A Shared Office Space Often the first step for an introvert to have success in a coworking place making new contacts and friends is to engage the person in even trivial conversations, whether its having the same snack foods, using an app on the phone they both like, or just anything they find interesting that another person is doing. These connections might go somewhere, or they may not but by at least showing that theyre making a conscious effort to reach out, theres a good chance an introvert will start making friends in a fairly quick manner. But a key rule in the introvert guide to socializing is for them to make the first move themselves because thats the only way others will know theyre interested in talking to them. A Guide For Introverts To Create A Positive And Productive Atmosphere One of the best ways an introvert can make and keep friends is by exhibiting a courteous and mindful spirit in the workplace. Keeping things in mind such as using headphones when listening to music, having phone conversations in more private areas of the building and not cluttering up the work area beyond their allotted capacity are some good ways for introverts to maintain a pleasant atmosphere. When using shared equipment such as coffee makers, printers, or just kitchen areas in general, its good to clean up messes, refill equipment that was used, and make sure things are reset to the condition they were in when appropriate. And while usually there are designated areas for eating meals, if they have to be eaten while work is being done its good to make sure they arent messy and wont cause a disturbance to others. Writer’s byline: The article was written by Gigi Wara. Gigi is a freelance writer and traveler, currently based in Thailand. She writes and blogs for The Work Loft. Topic of interest includes anything related to self-improvement and career development. Go to top SELF-PROMOTION Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective.  But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will?  If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Where To Take Portuguese Lessons

Where To Take Portuguese Lessons Find Out Where To Find The Best Portuguese Classes Across The UK ChaptersLearn Portuguese In LondonPortuguese Lessons In ManchesterPortuguese Classes In BirminghamLearning Portuguese In LeedsGet Fluent In Portuguese In GlasgowPortuguese Lessons BelfastPortuguese Lessons CardiffPortuguese Lessons EdinburghThere are no two ways about it - learning a second language can only be a good thing.When you consider the reasons for studying a new language such as Portuguese, it is so easy to think of the positive rewards like being able to communicate with Portuguese speakers, having an extra skill on your CV, becoming more intelligent, and so on... yet it is really tough to think of any disadvantages. Can you think of any off the top of your head?There's a common misconception, usually among monolinguals (those who speak only one language), that being bilingual or even multilingual can cause you to become confused and mix up the different dialects. Any person who speaks a language on top of their mother tongue will disagree with this, as the different langu ages simply make sense in your head.Yes, okay, you may find yourself merging similar languages at the start of your language learning journey (especially languages like Spanish and Italian, for example), but soon enough you will master the language to a degree where you will just switch from one to the other with ease and all will click into place.Never mind worrying about which tie to wear to an interview, with an extra language skill on your CV you could ooze confidence and sail through the process. Photo on Visual HuntSo, now that we've established that there's absolutely no reason not to learn a foreign language, here are some advantages to learning Portuguese  specifically.Reasons For Learning Portuguese1. Portuguese is a highly useful languagePortuguese is the official language of Portugal and is a widely spoken language (probably more so than you think), so is definitely worth learning. While learning French and German is common at school, there are far more native speakers o f Spanish and Portuguese, with  over 230 million of the population  speaking  Portuguese  (among this number 222 million have it as their mother tongue).More people opt for Spanish over Portuguese, but what they may not know is that Portuguese is spoken not only in Portugal but it is also a principal language in Brazil (Brazilian Portuguese), Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and  São Tomé and Príncipe.  Portuguese is also widely spoken in Sri Lanka, Goa, India, and Macau, which shows that is commonly spoken across numerous continents.2. Learning Portuguese opens opportunities to travelAs we've discovered, Portuguese is on many people's lips, and not just in Europe! By becoming proficient in Portuguese, you could enable yourself to travel freely across Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia with little or no language barrier. So why not go and catch up with some of the 230 million speakers of this language and discover the world at the same time?Learning a new language like Portuguese opens up opportunities to travel and get by across the world. Photo credit: flossyflotsam on VisualhuntAlso, with Brazil having the eighth largest economy in the whole world, that seems like a good place to visit if you are on the search for a job!3. Portuguese will improve your career prospectsWhile having any second language will work to your advantage, there's a reason why Portuguese might make you stand out from the rest. Portuguese is said to be the seventh most studied language, therefore, with it being much lower down the table than its popular peers, as a speaker of this language, you could be bringing something unique to a business.In the US, Portuguese doesn't even come in in their top ten most studied languages, so US employers would have a field day if they saw this on your resume!4. Portuguese will help you learn other 'Romance' languagesFair enough, having a knowledge of Latin will ease the process of learning Latin-ba sed languages, but why not skip this process and move straight onto learning a language that you can actually use in real life, with real-life people, and in real-life situations? By learning Portuguese, you could make learning other languages like French or Spanish way simpler. The same goes if you do it the other way around - so if you are already a French or Spanish speaker, you will no doubt find that you pick up Portuguese really easily.Other examples of Romance languages are Romanian and Catalan, so it's not just the same old languages we are talking about here!5. Portuguese is a beautiful languageFinally, what really speaks for itself is the beauty and elegance of spoken Portuguese.As one of those languages that simply rolls off of the tongue of fluent speakers, it is mesmerising. It's no wonder that the 'Romance' languages are linked to love, they sound so breathtaking! Fall in love with Portuguese or fall in love with someone speaking to you in Portuguese... either way you will definitely want to learn this language once you start to learn more about it, I assure you!See below just a snippet of the Portuguese lessons, online courses, and workshops available to you across the country. During these sessions, you will learn to speak either beginner Portuguese, conversational skills or business Portuguese and will be taught about sentence structure, verbs, conjugation, pronunciation, vocab,  and grammar rules.You might,  for example, learn the days of the week and other common words and phrases, like 'obrigado' ('thank you').. Alternatively, you could look at going to Queen’s University Belfast, which runs beginners’ Portuguese courses over a period of 10 weeks.If you are interested in learning Portuguese though, whether European or Brazilian, it’s worth noting that it will likely take some time commitment from you in order to get better at the language and improve your speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills.For example, Language Trainers estimates that students would likely have to put in the following times in order to reach a certain proficiency in Portuguese:Elementary level of Portuguese â€" 30 hours;Intermediate level of Portuguese â€" 150 hours; andAdvanced level of Portuguese â€" 400 hours.So, if you are serious about getting better at Portuguese, it’s a good idea to be aware of how much time you can commit to learning a new language and think about which proficiency level you’d ultimately like to reach.Try Your Hand At Online LearningIf none of the courses above seems appealing, or you’re unsure about whether you can commit to attending regular Portuguese language classes, then you could also consider getting better at Portuguese with the help of online resources.There are plenty of apps out there that may help you get better at Portuguese, with some of the most well-known being:Babbel;Duolingo; andMosaLingua.On apps such as Babbel and Duolingo, lessons are often delivered in bite-sized chunks, which m akes these apps good to use to learn foreign languages such as Portuguese if you’re particularly time-poor.What’s more, some language learning apps are free to use, so if you’re thinking about studying a foreign language, whether that’s Portuguese, French, German, Spanish, or another language, these apps can be a good way to learn about the basics of a language and gauge whether you’d be interested in further study.It’s worth noting that, while these apps and websites can be very helpful, especially if you would consider yourself a beginner taking Portuguese classes London, you might find it harder to get as much value out of these kinds of language programmes if you’re a more advanced speaker, or consider yourself fluent or near-fluency in Portuguese.For advanced speakers, often going to a dedicated language class where you have the opportunity to speak in Portuguese, discuss complex matters in Portuguese, and learn about advanced aspects of Portuguese grammar can be more helpful.If you study a degree in Portuguese, you often have the chance to go on a year abroad (Image Source: Pixabay)Portuguese Lessons CardiffIf you live in Cardiff and want to learn Portuguese, then you’ll be pleased to hear there are plenty of options available regardless of your ability level.For example, if you’re a complete beginner when it comes to Portuguese, then you might want to consider attending a course designed to introduce you to the basics of the language.The University of Cardiff, for example, runs part-time courses designed for beginners’ Portuguese courses. Lasting 12 weeks, the course can help complete beginners who want to learn how to “hold a basic conversation” in Portuguese, with the course having a particular focus on Brazil.Even if you’re not a complete beginner in Portuguese, there are other basic Portuguese courses offered by the University of Cardiff, including the “Portuguese for Beginners II” course or “Portuguese for Improvers Stage B”.Note that the Portuguese for Improvers course runs for 20 weeks, and not 12, so you would have to be prepared to commit more time to your Portuguese studies to take this course.There’s Plenty To Learn In A Portuguese ClassThe content of a Portuguese lesson will depend on many factors, including:Your existing ability level in Portuguese;How long your course will run for;Whether you’re learning about European Portuguese or Brazilian Portuguese; andHow well you can read, write, speak, and listen in Portuguese.Beginners courses in Portuguese in Cardiff might cover areas such as basic grammar, including the past and present tense, or learning about basic adjectives, pronouns, and introductions.On the other hand, an advanced Portuguese speaker might learn more about complex areas of grammar or learning how to discuss particularly complex subjects that require an in-depth knowledge of Portuguese vocabulary.Moving Past Beginners’ Portuguese Lessons In CardiffAlthough it’s great to know that there are beginners courses out there in Portuguese, there are other types of Portuguese classes available in Cardiff.For example, there are conversational Portuguese classes available through providers such as Language Trainers and Listen Learn, who generally offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to how you take your Portuguese lessons. One to one, group classes, and Skype lessons are just some of the lesson formats available.Aside from conversational Portuguese classes, you can also learn about Portuguese for business purposes. Cactus Language Training is just one provider that offers business Portuguese lessons, whether on a weekly or intensive basis.Alternatively, Simon Simon also offers business Portuguese lessons, using what they call the “Communicative Approach” to help you improve your understanding of Portuguese.Edinburgh has lots of Portuguese language classes on offer (Image Source: Pixabay)Portuguese Lessons EdinburghIf you’re looking to le arn Portuguese in Scotland, or more specifically in Edinburgh, then you have plenty of language tutors to choose from!For example, you might choose to improve your knowledge of Portuguese by going to the inlingua language centre. Offering classes in both European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese, there are lessons available for all ability levels.So, if you just want to learn common greetings or common phrases in Portuguese, or you’d like to learn about more technical aspects of Portuguese grammar, you should be able to find a course that can help you.It’s worth noting that how long the evening classes run can depend on the number of students attending a course. The more students there are, the longer the course is likely to run, with timeframes of 12 weeks given for five to ten students, 10 weeks for four students, and 8 weeks for three students.If you’re looking for a slightly different approach when it comes to learning Portuguese, then you could try the Portuguese Teach er. Offering classes for both general and business Portuguese, the Portuguese Teacher offers a free trial lesson for prospective students, which is a good way of seeing if you like the lessons before committing to an extended period of study.Yet another option for Portuguese language tuition in Edinburgh is Chris Polatch â€" The Language Specialists, who offer courses aimed at both junior learners as well as adults.Take Portuguese At UniversityAnother great option to learn more about Portuguese, whether that’s just to learn the basics such as the alphabet or take more serious Portuguese studies, is to take a Portuguese course through a university.If you’re looking for a short course in Portuguese then you might consider taking a course at the University of Edinburgh, which offers adult Portuguese classes for both beginners and those with an elementary knowledge of the language.However, if you’re looking to take more advanced Portuguese lessons, then you could think about going down the route of getting a formal qualification in Portuguese, such as an undergraduate degree.Again, the University of Edinburgh can help in this regard, although it’s worth noting there are minimum entry requirements that you would have to meet if you did want to study Portuguese at the university.If you do decide to study Portuguese as part of an undergraduate degree, then it’s likely you’ll be able to have a year abroad as part of your degree programme.A year abroad would give you a fantastic opportunity to improve your Portuguese language skills. This is because:Travelling to Portugal, Brazil, or another Portuguese-speaking country can help you appreciate the culture of that country more;You’ll get plenty of opportunities to practice your spoken Portuguese as well as your Portuguese listening skills; andYou’ll hopefully be able to improve your overall fluency in the language.Looking For Lessons Outside Of University?Whether or not you decide to go for formal Portugu ese study, you don’t have to rely on university language centres in Edinburgh if you’d like to learn Portuguese.Choosing to learn Portuguese (European or Brazilian) with the help of a language tutor, such as a Superprof tutor, is one option that could work well for you.With a private language tutor, you have more control over how many lessons you have, where they take place, and what kind of topics they should cover.If you think that Portuguese language tuition with a Superprof tutor might be for you, check out the range of tutors available on Superprof’s database, and see whether there’s a tutor that looks like a good fit!

What Does Evaluate The Expression Mean

What Does Evaluate The Expression Mean An expression is an algebraic term which consists of constants (numbers) or variables and they are combined together by different operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. An expression can contain as many terms as required, and to evaluate the value of the expression means to calculate what the expression equals to after performing the operations. If the value of the variable is mentioned, then we can plug-in the given value in the place of the variable and we can evaluate the expression! Example 1: Evaluate the expression, 5x + 3 + 4x 7 if given x = 2. Given expression: 5x + 3 + 4x 7 and x = 2 Now in order to evaluate the value of the expression, we can simply plug-in 2 in the place of x in the given expression. This implies: 5x + 3 + 4x 7 == 5(2) + 3 + 4(2) 7 == 10 + 3 + 8 7 = 14 Therefore the value of the given expression when x = 2 is 14 Example 2: Evaluate the expression, 3 2b + 7b + 5 if given b = 1. Given expression: 3 2b + 7b + 5 and b = 1. Now in order to evaluate the value of the expression, we can simply plug-in 1 in the place of b in the given expression. This implies: 3 2b + 7b + 5 == 3 2(1) + 7(1) + 5 == 3 2 + 7 + 5 = 13 Therefore the value of the given expression when b = 1 is 13

Problem Solving Skills for Students

Problem Solving Skills for Students Like life, school is a journey filled with twists and turns. Problems arise, but students who learn to confront them early will be happier and more resilient as they approach college and the real world. Here is a framework to help you build your students problem-solving skills: Start with identification. In assignments or projects, teach students to identify the task in front of them, then define the problem(s) theyre trying to solve. Articulate possible solutions. An important part of the problem-solving process is brainstorming solutionsas many options as possible. Weigh the options. Encourage your students to consider the ideas theyve come up with: what are the possible problems with each? Which alternatives are most and least feasible? Create an action plan. Before diving in, students should decide what theyll do first to work toward solving the problem. This should involve thinking through the strategy, steps and desired outcomes The execution phase is where your students should attempt to try out a solution by carrying out the steps that they defined in their action plan. To build on their learning, they should evaluate their progress as they go. Lastly, its time for evaluation. Encourage your students to reflect on their efforts, problem-solving process, what worked and what did not. They might decide to go back to the drawing board if the problem didnt get solved as planned. One of the best ways to prepare your students for college and the real world is to teach them how to identify and solve problems on their own. Regular practice doing so will help them be more confident and independent no matter what academic challenges they face. See how Huntington Learning Center can help your students succeed.

Avoiding an ADHD Misdiagnosis The essential components of an effective ADHD evaluation

Avoiding an ADHD Misdiagnosis The essential components of an effective ADHD evaluation Rates of ADHD diagnoses in the US continue to rise steadily, with a newly published study showing that 10% of todays children and teens are diagnosed with ADHD compared to 6% back in the late 1990s.1 There are many possible reasons for the sharp increase in diagnoses, including increased awareness about ADHD (especially the inattentive subtype), improved health care access, and more rigid education and testing standards in public schools. These factors all contribute to higher rates of proper diagnoses for kids with ADHD who would have otherwise been missed, and thats a good thing. Unfortunately, these same factors can also contribute to higher rates of misdiagnoses among kids and teens who are falling behind academically or are struggling to pay attention and follow classroom rules for reasons that are unrelated to ADHD. With more and more children and teens being diagnosed with ADHD, its more important than ever for parents to insist that their child receive a rigorous diagnostic assessment. A thorough assessment is the only way to minimize the risk of a misdiagnosis and ensure that ADHD is the most appropriate explanation for a child or teens symptoms and behavior. Often, ADHD diagnoses are made in the pediatricians office after a single visit. If these office visits are too brief and rating scales completed by parents and teachers arent included in the assessment process, then the likelihood of a misdiagnosis goes up dramatically. Some pediatricians have a practice that can support the demands of an ADHD diagnostic assessment and have a great deal of experience in this area, but often the most thorough evaluations are conducted by a mental health specialty provider or a developmental pediatrician. When evaluating whether the assessment your child or teen is receiving is as rigorous as it needs to be, look for the following components: Detailed Interview with Parents The foundation of a solid ADHD evaluation is a detailed parent interview that assesses the childs medical history, and social history, as well as his or her history of symptoms of ADHD and other conditions like anxiety and depression. Overall, the goal of this interview is to establish a timeline for the development of ADHD symptoms and behaviors as well as other disorders or situational factors that may also explain a childs symptoms. At a minimum this interview should take 30-60 minutes. Detailed Interview with the Child or Adolescent Older children and adolescents should also be interviewed. Children and teens with ADHD may not have much insight into their ADHD symptoms, but they often have an awareness of anxiety or depression symptoms that may not be as obvious to parents or others around them. Symptom Rating Scales Completed by Parents and Children or Teens In addition to diagnostic interviews, rating scales completed by parents and the child (ages 8 and older) or adolescent themselves are a key component of a thorough diagnostic assessment. Rating scales should include questions related to ADHD symptoms as well as symptoms of other disorders. These measures often include normative scales which allow the provider to compare ratings for the child or teen undergoing the evaluation against a large database of scores to see how the child or teen compares to peers of a similar age and gender. This can help determine whether a childs behavior and symptoms are typical of someone their age or if they have relative weaknesses in certain areas. Symptom Rating Scales Completed by Teachers In order to meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD, children and teens must experience impairment at school as well as at home, making teacher reports an essential component of an ADHD assessment. Like the rating scales completed by parents, these measures should include questions about symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as ADHD and should include normative scales that allow for comparisons with same age peers. A measure of academic performance and skills should also be included to help determine whether a learning disorder evaluation is also needed. Ratings should be completed by teachers who have had the child in the classroom for at least 1 month at the time of the evaluation. If a child or teen has multiple teachers, then ideally each teacher should provide ratings, so the evaluator can determine whether a childs symptoms present differently across classroom subjects and settings. Report Cards Past and current year report cards can be extremely helpful in an ADHD evaluation. Report cards include valuable information about a childs behavior and focus in the classroom over time and can be used to identify the need for a learning disorder evaluation. Learning Disorder Evaluation in Kids and Teens with Learning Concerns In some cases, learning disorder symptoms can look a lot like symptoms of ADHD. When kids and teens struggle to learn new concepts despite having average or above average intelligence, they may have difficulty focusing in class or may act-out behaviorally. If report cards and teacher ratings suggest a history of poor performance in some subject areas but not others (for example, a child or teen receives below average grades in math but receives average or above average grades in other subjects), then a learning disorder evaluation should be completed by the school or by an educational specialist or psychologist. The process of diagnosing ADHD is complex and participating in the evaluation process can take a great deal of time and effort but the effort is worth it in the long run when you receive an accurate diagnosis that can be used to identify the best treatments for your child or teen. 1 Xu G, Strathearn L, Liu B, Yang B, Bao W. Twenty-Year Trends in Diagnosed Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among US Children and Adolescents, 1997-2016.JAMA Network Open.2018;1(4):e181471. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.1471 ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.