Have you suspected that you may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Have others told you that you may have ADHD? Do you frequently find it difficult to stay focused on tasks? Do you find time management to be challenging? Have you found that these symptoms impact your school or work performance?
Or are you a parent who suspects that your child may have ADHD? Has a teacher or pediatrician expressed concerns about your child’s focus or memory? Do you find that your child frequently loses items, has difficulty staying on track, or is easily distracted? Do you feel like your child is not reaching their full potential in school? We at Capitol Psychological Assessment are here to help!
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a condition that makes it hard for individuals to focus their attention and control their actions. Think of your attention like a laser beam—it’s supposed to stay focused on one thing at a time. But for individuals with ADHD, their attention is more like a flashlight that moves around all over the place, making it hard for them to focus on what’s important. This can make it difficult to do things like sit still in class, follow directions, or remember what you’re supposed to do. Individuals with ADHD may also have a hard time making friends because they react before thinking and may interrupt others. It is important to remember that ADHD is not the individual’s fault and with the right help, many people with ADHD can learn to control their behavior and focus their attention better.
Why is ADHD testing important and what does it consist of?
An individual may want to get tested for ADHD if they are experiencing symptoms such as difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness, and or/hyperactivity. Psychological testing can help an individual better understand why they are experiencing these symptoms and to receive a diagnosis that can help validate and explain their experiences. An accurate ADHD diagnosis can also help inform treatment decisions and lead to the development of an effective treatment plan, which can improve daily functioning and quality of life.
ADHD testing at Capitol Psychological Assessment involves a comprehensive evaluation completed by one of our trained psychologists. The evaluation consists of 3-4 sessions and includes the following components:
1. Initial Consultation: The evaluating psychologist will review the testing process with you and gather information about what you hope to gain from the evaluation, as well as questions you may have. Expectations, fees, and potential outcomes will all be addressed in this initial free 15-minute consultation.
2. Clinical Interview: The evaluating psychologist will then conduct a detailed clinical interview with you or your child to gather information about current symptoms, developmental history, and family medical history. As part of this interview, your psychologist will also assess for other conditions- such as depression, anxiety, or autism spectrum disorder- to help rule out other diagnoses that may look like ADHD.
3. Psychological testing: Next, you will be administered standardized tests, such as rating scales, intelligence tests, tests of learning and achievement, tasks that measure attention and memory, and measures of mood/personality. Testing will be tailored to your individual symptoms and needed areas of exploration. Testing will take place over the course of 1-2 sessions.
4. Review of school and academic records: The psychologist may review school and academic records to gather more information about you or your child’s functioning in an academic and school setting.
5. Collateral information: If authorized, the psychologist may gather information from family members, friends, teachers, or other relevant sources to gain a more complete understanding of you or your child’s symptoms and functioning.
6. Feedback session: You or your child will participate in a meeting with the evaluating psychologist to discuss the results and findings of the evaluation. During the feedback session, the psychologist will review the psychological test findings and share their observations and interpretations. The psychologist will provide a diagnosis, along with recommendations and school accommodations for you or your child. The feedback session is an important component of the evaluation process because it allows opportunity to gain insight and better understand the reasons behind you or your child’s difficulties. You will be provided with a copy of a comprehensive report that details everything discussed in the feedback session, along with a letter of accommodation for your school, should that be deemed appropriate.
Differential Diagnosis
It is important to note that ADHD testing is not a single test or procedure, but rather a comprehensive evaluation that may involve several components. Full psychological testing is important, because symptoms of ADHD can oftentimes be confused with other psychological disorders. For example, ADHD and anxiety can sometimes present with similar symptoms, which can make it difficult to distinguish between the two conditions. Some common symptoms of both ADHD and anxiety include:
1. Difficulty concentrating: Individuals with ADHD often have trouble paying attention and may difficulty following through on tasks, while individuals with anxiety may have trouble focusing due to worries and fears.
2. Impulsiveness: Individuals with ADHD may act impulsivity and make decisions without thinking, while individuals with anxiety may act impulsively in an attempt to alleviate their worries.
3. Restlessness: Individuals with ADHD may have trouble sitting sill and may be physically restless, while individuals with anxiety may experience restlessness and fidgeting due to feelings of unease and worry.
4. Difficulty sleeping: Individuals with ADHD may have trouble sleeping due to their inability to calm their mind, while individuals with anxiety may have trouble sleeping due to worries and fears.
It is important to note that some individuals can have both ADHD and anxiety, and a comprehensive evaluation by a psychologist is necessary to determine an accurate diagnosis and the right therapeutic recommendations and accommodations.
How do I book my initial consultation?
If you suspect that you or your child may be struggling with symptoms of ADHD, Capitol Psychological Assessment can offer comprehensive testing and solutions for how to make your life and schooling more manageable. To book your initial consultation and learn more about this process, please click the button below or call us at 916-407-4943. We have psychologists with open availability who can get you or your child in for testing today!
