Adult ADHD Assessments

Why Obtain an Assessment?

For adults over 18 who suspect they may have ADHD, seeking a professional assessment is a significant step toward self-awareness and better management of symptoms. ADHD affects more than just focus; it can influence organization, time management, emotional regulation, and personal relationships. Understanding whether ADHD is at the root of these challenges is the first step toward meaningful solutions. A diagnosis can offer clarity and open the door to interventions, such as medication, or therapy to improve daily functioning and quality of life.

Beyond personal reasons, obtaining an ADHD diagnosis can have a practical impact. For instance, college or university students often pursue an evaluation to access academic accommodations that level the playing field in rigorous educational environments. Accommodations such as extended testing time, a quieter testing space, or assistive technology can make a significant difference in performance. Workplaces may also provide accommodations, like flexible scheduling or task management tools, to support employees with ADHD in meeting their responsibilities effectively.

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What Does the Assessment Include?

The ADHD assessment process is comprehensive and designed to ensure accuracy. Conducted virtually, it offers the convenience of completing all steps from home. This is especially beneficial for individuals who might struggle with in-person appointments due to scheduling conflicts, transportation issues, or anxiety about clinical settings. The evaluation is structured to assess not only ADHD but also co-occurring conditions that might affect diagnosis or treatment.

Pre-Appointment Questionnaires

Before the telehealth session, you’ll complete several questionnaires to provide baseline information. These include:

Symptom History Questionnaire: This gathers details about your experiences with focus, impulsivity, or disorganization over time. It helps the clinician understand the scope and duration of your struggles.
Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI): This tool screens for other mental health concerns, such as anxiety or depression, that may coexist with ADHD or mimic its symptoms.
Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1): A standardized tool widely used to identify ADHD symptoms in adults.

Telehealth Session

During the appointment, I will conduct a thorough clinical interview, delving into your history and how ADHD symptoms have affected different areas of your life. This process includes:

Exploring Early Symptoms: ADHD often begins in childhood, so understanding whether signs were present earlier can help confirm the diagnosis.
The DIVA Assessment: The Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults is a structured tool that systematically compares your reported symptoms with the criteria for ADHD.

This step-by-step approach ensures that the diagnosis is precise and accounts for the complexity of adult ADHD.

Post-Evaluation Reporting

After the assessment, you’ll receive a detailed diagnostic report summarizing the findings. This multi-page document includes:

A description of your symptoms and their severity.
A summary of the standardized tests.
A clinician's analysis and recommendations for managing ADHD, such as potential treatment plans or accommodations.

This report serves as documentation when seeking accommodations or initiating medication treatment. Its comprehensiveness ensures that it meets the standards of employers, educational institutions, and healthcare providers. Some educational institutions have specific requirements regarding who can perform an ADHD assessment. While I am fully qualified as a licensed mental health counselor with extensive training and experience, some institutions may only accept evaluations completed by psychologists or psychiatrists. To ensure your assessment meets their criteria, please confirm the requirements directly with your educational institution before proceeding.

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Why Choose This Evaluation?

Selecting a qualified professional is critical when seeking an ADHD evaluation. My background as a licensed mental health counselor with over two decades of experience ensures that your assessment is both thorough and individualized. I specialize in understanding how ADHD symptoms manifest in adults, differentiating them from similar conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD.

My expertise includes administering and interpreting psychological tests across various domains, including memory, intelligence, and personality. This skillset is particularly valuable when diagnosing ADHD, as it allows for a nuanced understanding of how symptoms interact with other aspects of mental health. Additionally, my experience in clinical research means I stay current on the latest methods and criteria for diagnosing ADHD and related conditions.

Whether you’re seeking clarity about lifelong challenges, exploring treatment options, or needing documentation for accommodations, my evaluations are designed to provide you with the insights and support necessary to take actionable steps forward.

Cost and Insurance Information

Understanding the cost structure of an ADHD evaluation helps ensure transparency and accessibility. For cash-pay clients, the full evaluation costs $375. This fee covers everything from the initial questionnaires to the final diagnostic report. A reduced fee may be considered for cash-pay clients if the cost presents a hardship.

For clients using insurance, the ADHD assessment process is conducted over three sessions. Insurance typically covers the initial clinical interviews and symptom history assessments. However, a separate $100 administrative fee applies for the preparation of the detailed report, which includes analysis of results and written recommendations.

This fee is not covered by insurance because the report is considered a supplementary administrative service that falls outside the scope of standard clinical services. It is designed to support the therapeutic process by providing a comprehensive summary of the assessment findings but is not billed to insurance or required as part of the covered assessment services.

The detailed report is a critical component of the evaluation process, as it provides the documentation required to seek accommodations or initiate treatment. Investing in a comprehensive evaluation not only clarifies your diagnosis but also equips you with the tools and knowledge to navigate next steps confidently.

Benefits of an ADHD Diagnosis

The value of an ADHD diagnosis extends beyond clinical labels. For many adults, it brings relief by offering a clear explanation for long-standing struggles. Understanding your symptoms allows you to approach life with greater self-awareness and apply targeted strategies for improvement. For example:

Enhanced Productivity: Knowing how ADHD affects time management can help you implement tools like planners, timers, or apps to stay organized.
Improved Relationships: Understanding the role of impulsivity or forgetfulness in interpersonal conflicts allows for better communication with loved ones.
Access to Accommodations: Whether in school or at work, accommodations provide the structure and flexibility needed to thrive.

A diagnosis can also open doors to therapy or support groups that further aid in managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

Next Steps

If you’re considering an ADHD evaluation, take the first step by contacting us to learn more or scheduling an appointment. The process is straightforward and designed to fit into your schedule. With a professional assessment, you’ll gain not only a deeper understanding of your challenges but also the resources and strategies needed to overcome them.

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