Clarity without reducing a person to a checklist

ADHD evaluations and preliminary autism screening

A careful look at strengths, developmental history, current functioning, emotional health, school or work demands, and other possible explanations.

Clinical ADHD evaluations

A fuller understanding of what may be getting in the way

I provide clinical diagnostic ADHD evaluations for youth and adults. Evaluations are generally available beginning at age 8. Younger children may be considered after an initial consultation, although a diagnosis is often deferred when it is not yet developmentally or clinically appropriate.

Important distinctionThis is a clinical diagnostic evaluation. It is not neuropsychological, psychoeducational, intelligence, achievement, or formal cognitive testing.

When a person’s needs cannot be adequately addressed through a clinical evaluation, I will recommend more comprehensive psychological, educational, or medical testing and try to help identify referral options.

Children and teens

Understanding symptoms across home, school, relationships, emotions, and development

Information from more than one setting matters because a young person may function differently at school, at home, and in preferred or highly structured activities.

The process may include

  • Clinical interviews with the child and caregiver
  • Developmental and family history
  • Parent and teacher Vanderbilt rating scales
  • Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale
  • School, medical, psychological, or treatment records
  • Information from teachers or other relevant adults
  • Observation through conversation, activities, or play when useful

The evaluation also considers

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Trauma and major stressors
  • Learning concerns
  • Sleep and health factors
  • Other explanations that may resemble or contribute to ADHD symptoms
  • Whether autistic traits or another condition warrant additional evaluation

The process may include

  • An in-depth clinical interview
  • Current and childhood self-report questionnaires
  • The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale and other relevant measures
  • Questionnaires from a spouse, partner, close friend, or family member when available
  • Input from someone familiar with childhood functioning when available
  • Review of school records, prior evaluations, medical records, or treatment history
  • Assessment of functioning at work, school, home, and in relationships
Adult ADHD evaluations

Current challenges and childhood patterns both matter

Adult evaluations include a careful review of current functioning and childhood experiences. The process also considers anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep, substance use, learning concerns, and other possible explanations.

Not every adult has access to childhood records or a person who can reliably describe early experiences. The available evidence—and any limitations—will be discussed as part of the evaluation rather than treated as a reason not to seek clarity.

What to expect

Usually two to four in-person appointments

ADHD evaluations usually involve two to four in-person appointments of approximately one hour each. The overall process commonly takes about one to two months from the first appointment to feedback.

Timing may depend on the return of parent, teacher, family, or other questionnaires and the availability of relevant records.

At the conclusion, we will review

  • Whether the available information supports an ADHD diagnosis
  • Other concerns that may be contributing
  • Individual strengths and areas of impairment
  • Treatment recommendations
  • School, workplace, organizational, behavioral, or emotional supports
  • Whether additional assessment is recommended

Written reports are available upon request and are included in the per-session fees.

With appropriate written authorization, I can coordinate with physicians, schools, therapists, or other providers involved in care.

School and workplace accommodations

Documentation can support a request, but approval is determined by the organization.

Evaluation documentation may support a request for school or workplace accommodations. However, schools, universities, employers, licensing organizations, and testing agencies establish their own eligibility and documentation requirements.

An evaluation does not guarantee accommodations.Some settings require psychoeducational, neuropsychological, cognitive, or achievement testing beyond the services I provide. Before beginning an evaluation primarily for accommodations, review the receiving organization’s documentation requirements whenever possible.
Children and teens ages 8–17

Preliminary autism screening

Screening can help determine whether autistic traits may be contributing to a young person’s experiences and whether comprehensive testing or additional support should be pursued.

Autism screening does not provide an autism diagnosis.It is preliminary and is not a substitute for a comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluation.

Screening may include

  • A clinical interview with the child and caregiver
  • Developmental and social history
  • Review of the Mayes Autism Spectrum Disorder Checklist
  • Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition
  • Social Communication Questionnaire
  • Information from caregivers and school professionals when available
  • Review of relevant records

Results and next steps

The screening considers ADHD, anxiety, emotional health, and other factors that may overlap with autistic traits.

A written summary or report with results and recommendations is available upon request and included in the per-session fees.

When comprehensive autism testing appears appropriate, I will provide referral recommendations and try to help the family identify a provider or obtain a referral.

Combined consideration

Autism screening can be incorporated into an ADHD evaluation when indicated.

ADHD evaluations include consideration of whether autistic traits may also be relevant. Sometimes only a brief screening is necessary. When the initial information suggests that more detailed screening would be useful, autism-specific questionnaires and additional interviews can be incorporated.

This does not convert the process into a comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluation. A referral is still recommended when full diagnostic testing is indicated.

Fees

$150 per evaluation or screening appointment

Written reports requested as part of the evaluation or screening process are included in the session fees.

Insurance coverage for diagnostic assessment can differ from coverage for ongoing therapy. After intake paperwork is complete, the Foundations for Change billing team provides available information about benefits and expected costs.

Current insurance participation and payment information are maintained on the group practice website.