ADHD Testing

How we can help

A neuropsychologist can assess how the challenges impact attention, as well as memory, processing speed, executive functioning (including working memory), and learning. By measuring all of these against your IQ data, we can better differentiate ADHD from other issues like anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, or learning differences that can look similar. We review medical and educational records (when available), conduct interviews with you and others (with your permission), administer face-to-face cognitive testing, and utilize questionnaires or behavioral measures to understand how your behaviors or challenges may impact you in various settings.
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A comprehensive evaluation allows you to know the role that ADD/ADHD, emotional distress, metabolic factors, or injuries may play in your functioning, so the treatment recommendations can be targeted. Many people with ADHD also struggle with depression and/or anxiety, and understanding this helps you to identify treatment that can lead to the best results. If memory or processing speed is impacted by ADHD, having data from testing allows your doctor and you to consider accommodations for work or school that allow you to be your best and limit the negative impacts of ADD/ADHD or mood distress. By understanding both WHAT is creating your challenges and HOW, we can move forward to limit or eliminate the difficulties you face.
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Information Gathered
Developmental and health/medical history – As part of the comprehensive diagnosis intake process, we review various potential factors that may contribute to your challenges. This includes a review of your health history beginning during your mother’s pregnancy and continuing to the present day.  We may gather information through both intake forms and discussions that cover your developmental history, as well as your family’s medical and psychiatric history. All of this information can help your doctors differentiate between the complex factors at play and help to determine the best treatment approach for you.
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Collateral Information: Your doctors will work to gather information about your cognition and behaviors from sources, including friends/family or teachers. This enables a more vivid representation of potential challenges and helps you understand how your behavior may affect others. Family members may also have a better understanding of your childhood behaviors, and teachers can speak to the impact of executive functioning on learning. Family or friends can provide valuable insights into how executive functioning difficulties affect relationships. Not only can this be beneficial in clarifying diagnoses, but it also allows your doctor to consider treatment approaches or recommendations that have the greatest impact on your mental health and overall functioning.
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If you are interested in ADD/ADHD testing for yourself or your child, please contact us by phone or complete the contact form on the website. You will receive a call to schedule a time to get your answers and receive help. The costs and a detailed description of the evaluation are provided below.
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How a Diagnosis is Made
The DSM-V diagnostic criteria serve as a basis for our understanding, although these criteria consist of a specific set of behaviors that were primarily designed for a pediatrician in diagnosing a child.  The criteria fall far short of identifying ADHD in a capable, non-hyperactive individual who has learned to compensate or mask their challenges. This results in a person who may be able to manage, but may fall far short of their optimal functioning. Having both the comprehensive data available from an evaluation, along with the clinical knowledge from years of working with patients, allows our doctors to identify challenges that may not be reflected in the few behaviors described in the diagnostic criteria.