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Adult ADHD Assessment

Benefits of Adult Assessment for ADHD
 

ADHD has the potential to affect an individual's academic, professional, and personal lives, including your most important relationships. If you suspect that you may have ADHD, seeking an assessment could pave the way for helpful treatment options that aid in symptom management, emotional regulation, and an overall enhanced quality of life.

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No Single Test

There is no single test that can diagnose ADHD, rather, we provide a comprehensive assessment process to determine whether or not you meet the criteria for ADHD. The assessment steps are outlined in the next section.

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ADHD in Adults versus Children

Here are some additional details about the differences between assessing ADHD in adults and children:
 

  • Symptoms:

    • The symptoms of ADHD can change over time, and they may manifest differently in adults than in children. For example, adults with ADHD may be more likely to experience symptoms of inattention, such as difficulty focusing and staying on task, while children with ADHD may be more likely to experience symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity.
       

  • Other (comorbid) conditions: 

    • Adults with ADHD are more likely to experience comorbid conditions, such as anxiety or depression, than children with ADHD. This can make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD in adults, as the symptoms of these other conditions may overlap with the symptoms of ADHD.

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Given these adult/child differences, our group focuses solely on adults so we develop an assessment expertise with this group of people.

 

Assessment Process for ADHD
 

When a formal diagnosis is requested, the assessment steps include a review of:

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  • DSM Review:

    • Review of whether the DSM 5 ADHD criteria fit for you.
       

  • Formal assessments:

    • ​CAARS & Brown assessments (see next section on this page).
       

  • Background review:

    • history of past educational experiences,
       

    • history of childhood development,
       

    • recent occupational success and struggles,
       

    • relationship history and functioning,
       

  • Medical review:

    • ​Information about medical conditions from a medical professional,
       

  • Psychological Review:

    • Review of other disorders frequently occur with ADHD (such as Autism Spectrum Disorder), or can mimic the symptoms of adult ADHD, and
       

  • Additional Information:

    • Input from other family members such as a spouse. This is completely optional.

    • Testing is remote (via Zoom) so you enjoy the convenience and comfort of your home.

Clinical Assessment Tools for ADHD
 

We use the following formal assessment tools can be administered electronically including:
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  • Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS-Long version) 

    • The Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS™) scales measure the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms so that you can determine whether or not ADHD is a contributing factor to a client's difficulties.
       

    • Validated for adults.
       

    •  No specific cut-off score is recommended for this index, but individuals with T-values above 70–75 likely meet the diagnostic criteria of ADHD.
       

    • On-line administration via MHS Assessments.
       

    • More info on Conners' scales
       

  • Brown Executive Function/Attention Scales - (Brown EF/A Scales)​​

    • Brown Executive Function/Attention Scales helps screen and assess a wider range of impairments of executive functioning. Brown EF/A Scales™ measures DSM-5 symptoms of ADHD along with less apparent impairments of executive functioning.
       

    • Testing provided by Pearson Assessments
       

    • Video explaining this assessment 
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  • ASD Screening Tools

    • Based on your clinician's judgment, you may be asked to complete one or more ASD screening tools.
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  • ​Continuous Performance Test (CPT)

    • At this time, we are not offer Continuous Performance Testing (such as the TOVA, MOXO, QbTest or IVA) even though it has become a popular neuropsychological test for assessing the severity of ADHD as studies have found them to be an unreliable symptom gauge for adults.

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Treatment for ADHD
 

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition that affects many adults around the world. While medication can be an effective treatment, it is not always the preferred option for everyone.

 

Fortunately, there are non-medication treatments that can be equally effective in managing ADHD symptoms. One such treatment is behavioral therapy, which involves working with one of our therapists to identify and modify behaviors that may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Through techniques such as cognitive restructuring and behavior modification, you can learn to better manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

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Another non-medication treatment for ADHD is lifestyle changes. This can include adopting a healthy diet and exercise routine, practicing stress management techniques such as meditation or yoga, and establishing a regular sleep schedule.

 

These lifestyle changes can help to reduce the severity of your ADHD symptoms and improve overall wellbeing. In addition, you may benefit from working with us to learn organizational and time-management skills, which can help better manage your daily tasks and responsibilities.

By making these changes, you can take a holistic approach to managing their symptoms and improving your overall quality of life.

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