What to Expect at an ADHD Evaluation
When it comes to ADHD, no two children are alike. ADHD (attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder) can also affect just about all aspects of a child’s life: school, family, friends and, in adolescents, work. That’s why we take a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to diagnosing, treating and supporting children and teens with ADHD–as well as their entire family.
Throughout the evaluation we use evidence-based assessment techniques to identify your child’s strengths and areas where they may need additional support.
Here, your child will be evaluated by a psychologist with specialized experience working with kids with ADHD. Advanced trainees in clinical psychology may also be involved in aspects of the evaluation, under the supervision of the attending psychologist.
Learn more about what you can expect at your child’s appointment—and how we’re here to help. If your child has already been diagnosed with ADHD, learn more about the ADHD treatment services we provide.
Making an Appointment at the Center for ADHD
We welcome referrals from providers, including specialists such as a psychologist or neurologist, as well as your child’s pediatrician. You can also call us directly to arrange a visit to the Center for ADHD. To schedule your child's ADHD evaluation, please contact us.
We want to get the whole picture of how your child thrives and functions in several different environments, including at home and at school. When you contact our office to set up your first appointment, you’ll receive access to an online portal, which will allow us to gather detailed information from you and your child’s teachers about your child’s day-to-day functioning at home and school. We can also mail questionnaires to your home if you don’t have access to the internet. The questionnaires requested (either through the portal or by mail) must be completed by you and your child’s teacher before we can schedule an appointment.
If a psychologist, neurologist, physician or any other professional has previously evaluated your child, please send that information electronically or bring it with you the day of your child’s appointment.
Overview of Your Child’s ADHD Evaluation
Your child’s ADHD evaluation at the Center for ADHD will include three different visits:
- Parent Diagnostic Interview: that allows an experienced psychologist to evaluate your child’s symptoms, strengths and opportunities for support.
- Child Diagnostic Interview: that allows for the psychologist to meet your child and further evaluate their behavior and experiences at home and school.
- Feedback appointment: where we will discuss the results of your child’s assessment and treatment recommendations.
This approach allows us to get to know your child and family and make appropriate recommendations based on the symptoms, behaviors or needs from your child or family.
Before Your Appointment
Please keep in mind that our hospital is a big place. You may want to arrive about 15-20 minutes before your child’s appointment—5 minutes to park and walk to the Center for ADHD (located at 2800 Winslow Ave; park in non-covered parking lot directly across street; follow signage for Center for ADHD) and 15 minutes to check in at the registration desk. ADHD evaluations are also completed at some of our satellite locations and location specific directions / details will be provided when you schedule your child’s first visit.
Please contact us if you are running late for your appointment.
At Your Appointments
We’re committed to creating a safe space for you and your child to share your thoughts, frustrations and goals when it comes to diagnosing or treating ADHD. Our team understands firsthand the challenges and wonderful opportunities that come from parenting a child with ADHD—and what it’s like for your child to live with the condition.
Our evaluations typically involve three sessions on three separate days. These sessions can be scheduled as in-person visits or can be done via telehealth. Telehealth appointments will depend on your insurance coverage and home state. The psychologist will review the information you have submitted using the secure.mehealth.com online portal prior to your initial session.
1. Parent Diagnostic Interview: The first session will include the child’s parents and one of our psychologists, alone. Your child should not attend this session. This allows us to have an open, honest and focused discussion about many different topics, including:
- Behaviors, actions and reactions you observe from your child in specific settings
- Situations or environments that seem more challenging for your child
- Areas where your child shines
- Opportunities to improve behaviors or reactions
- Understand the supports your family may benefit from
This first session takes approximately 45-60 minutes.
2. Child Diagnostic Interview: The second session will be between the psychologist and your child. They will have a friendly, welcoming and age-appropriate discussion. Conversation topics vary based on your child’s age and needs, but typically cover school, home and social life. We’ll ask questions about:
- How they get along with friends
- What’s easy about school
- What’s challenging about school
- What, if any situations, seem to be difficult or frustrating for them
- What their interests are
- Their goals
Depending on your child’s age, this second session takes about 30 to 50 minutes.
After both sessions are complete, we will use the information we’ve gathered about your child from the behavioral ratings as well as conversations and observations from our two sessions together to arrive at a clinical impression for your child and a set of treatment recommendations.
3. Feedback Session: At this session we will share with you our clinical / diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations. Treatment recommendations can vary greatly between children and may include:
- Referral to their physician for medication management
- Behavioral parent training to empower parent(s) to effectively manage a child’s ADHD behaviors
- Discussion of school / classroom accommodations to address behavioral and/or academic concerns
- Individual/family therapy to address issues related to coping with ADHD
- Group therapy targeting organizational skills relevant for homework and schoolwork (e.g., using a planner, creating a homework system, organizing school work)
We’ll review each recommendation pertinent to you and your child in depth during the feedback appointment.
After Your Visit to the Center for ADHD
You’ll receive an “After Visit Summary” after the first appointment. This handout has information about the providers you and your child saw, upcoming appointments and notes about any additional information your provider may need. Also, after the feedback visit, you will receive a comprehensive report about your child that includes all the information you will need to proceed with ensuring your child’s success and well-being.
Research Opportunities
Our team is also dedicated to furthering the understanding and treatment of ADHD. Your child and family may learn about research opportunities. These studies are completely voluntary and will not impact the quality of care your child receives. Researchers look at a broad range of topics with the goal of developing new and innovative ways to understand, evaluate and treat ADHD. Your child’s care team will discuss any research opportunities that may be available for your family during your appointment.
