What common assessment tool is NOT used to diagnose ADHD?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not a common assessment tool used to diagnose ADHD. While MRIs are valuable imaging techniques that provide insights into brain structures and can be used to assess various neurological conditions, they do not yield the behavioral, psychological, or environmental information needed to diagnose ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is primarily based on clinical assessment tools and rating scales that capture behavior, emotions, and the impact of symptoms on functioning.

Assessment tools like the ADHD Rating Scale, Conners' Parent Rating Scale, and the Disruptive Behavior Disorder Scale focus on gathering reports about a child's behavior from parents, teachers, and other caregivers. These tools help clinicians identify patterns indicative of ADHD based on established criteria, unlike MRI, which does not provide direct evidence of ADHD symptoms or behaviors. Hence, MRI stands apart from these behavioral assessment methods which are specifically tailored to evaluate ADHD and related disorders.