Adult ADHD Assessments
Do you struggle with focus, attention,
or organization at home, school, or at work?
Everybody struggles with all of these things at some point and usually with one or more everyday. This is a normal part of life.
But sometimes, those struggles may begin to get in the way of your ability to function effectively or feel as if they are beyond your control. At that point, you may wonder if you have ADHD.
Adult ADHD Assessments
What Is An ADHD Assessment?
An ADHD assessment is a type of psychological assessment that determines whether or not your difficulties meet clinical diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which difficulties with inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity interfere with an individual’s ability to function effectively in their daily life.
Why Do We Do This Test?
Assessment is essential to determine the true nature of your difficulties. There are a lot of other things that can resemble ADHD and/or cause ADHD-like symptoms, such as stress, sleep deprivation, and anxiety, to name a few. As treatment varies for each of those things, it is necessary to determine exactly what is causing you to struggle in order to determine the best course of action and/or treatment.
There are a lot of misleading websites and misinformation online that create confusion for a lot of people regarding ADHD. Formal diagnoses cannot be self-determined, decided by an online quiz, or “diagnosed by an online professional” without appropriate standardized assessment.
Things We Look At:
Background information and relevant developmental, medical, and social history.
Current symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity.
The results of standardized assessment tools.
How Do We Assess for ADHD?
- An ADHD assessment starts with a thorough review of your background information including infant/childhood development, medical history, school report cards and IEPs (if available), and any previous assessments or evaluations
- As ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, symptoms must have been present prior to age 18. Background information is essential to determine this.
- Collateral information in the form of an interview or completion of an information form from an individual who knows you well is very beneficial.
- We know that this is not possible for everyone, but we collect as much information as we can to help us understand an individual’s symptoms and situation.
- A clinical interview to explore your medical, family, academic, personal history, and current symptoms in depth, building off your provided background information.
- The administration of standardized questionnaires, as well as assessment of your cognitive abilities and memory.
- All of these culminate in a comprehensive report that states whether or not you meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD and includes recommendations for treatment options, as well as strategies, tools, and accommodations to support your ability to function effectively at home, school, and/or at work. It is then your responsibility to use those tools in order to benefit from them.