ADHD Evaluation

Looking beyond focus to understand how attention works.

ADHD is about much more than paying attention. It can affect the ability to focus, sustain attention, shift attention when needed, divide attention between tasks, regulate impulses, stay organized, manage time, and monitor behavior. Similar patterns can also result from anxiety, learning disabilities, autism, sleep difficulties, or other developmental factors.

An ADHD evaluation looks beyond the symptoms to determine whether ADHD best explains the pattern or whether other factors are contributing. The goal is to understand how an individual thinks, learns, and functions so recommendations are based on the underlying cause rather than the symptoms alone.

What May Be Included in an ADHD Evaluation

Every evaluation is individualized. The specific measures selected depend on the referral questions, age, developmental level, and concerns being addressed.

⚡ Attention
Evaluates different aspects of attention, including focused, sustained, selective, shifting, and divided attention, as well as vigilance and impulsive responding. These skills influence learning, task completion, and everyday functioning.

🧩 Executive Functioning
Assesses organization, planning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, self-monitoring, and inhibition. Executive functioning skills help individuals manage time, solve problems, complete multi-step tasks, and regulate behavior effectively.

📝 Working Memory
Measures the ability to temporarily hold and manipulate information while completing tasks. Working memory plays an important role in following directions, mental math, reading comprehension, and organization.

🧠 Intellectual Functioning
Measures reasoning, problem-solving, and overall thinking abilities. This provides important context for understanding attention difficulties and identifying individual strengths.

🚀 Processing Speed
Assesses how efficiently an individual completes routine cognitive tasks. Reduced processing speed can affect classroom performance, note-taking, written work, and test completion.

📚 Academic Achievement
Brief assessment of reading, writing, and mathematics to evaluate how attention difficulties may be affecting academic performance and identify whether additional evaluation of learning is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is an ADHD evaluation different from a comprehensive evaluation?

An ADHD evaluation focuses on determining whether ADHD is present and understanding how attention and executive functioning affect daily life. When concerns extend beyond attention alone, a comprehensive evaluation may be recommended to assess learning, cognitive, emotional, and developmental functioning more broadly.

Can anxiety look like ADHD?

Yes. Anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, learning disabilities, autism, and other factors can all affect attention and concentration. One goal of the evaluation is to determine what is driving the symptoms rather than assuming ADHD is the only explanation.

Will my child automatically receive an ADHD diagnosis?

No. A diagnosis is made only when the evaluation findings clearly support ADHD. In some cases, the evaluation identifies another explanation or shows that multiple factors are contributing to the concerns.

At what age can ADHD be evaluated?

I evaluate school-aged children, adolescents, and young adults. The assessment process is tailored to the individual’s age, developmental level, and specific concerns.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re looking for a deeper understanding of your child’s strengths, challenges, and learning profile, I’d be happy to help. The first step is a complimentary 15-minute consultation where we can discuss your concerns and determine whether a comprehensive evaluation is the right fit.

Schedule a Complimentary Consultation