Our Services
Adult ADHD Assessment
Understand Your Mind, Empower Your Life
Are You Struggling with Focus, Organization, or Energy?
You may have heard people casually joke about being “scatterbrained,” but for you, it’s no laughing matter. ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that often begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood. Recognizing these early signs is essential, as ADHD impacts how you focus, organize, and manage daily life.
For many adults, the struggle to stay on top of tasks feels like a constant uphill climb. You might find yourself battling to focus, meet deadlines, or finish even the simplest of tasks. Your thoughts may race, making it hard to stay present, or you might zone out during conversations, feeling disconnected despite your best efforts. At the same time, you might be highly creative, full of ideas, and brimming with potential—but challenges with executive functioning make turning those ideas into action a daily challenge.
If any of this feels familiar, you’re not alone. These experiences may point to ADHD, but they also highlight the importance of a thorough evaluation. ADHD shares overlapping traits with other conditions, so understanding the full picture is key to finding the right strategies and support.
At Love on the Autism Spectrum, we offer comprehensive ADHD assessments tailored to uncover the root of your challenges. With clarity and compassion, we help you better understand how ADHD impacts your life and provide tools to empower you to thrive.
Understanding the ADHD Experience and Symptoms
The challenges of ADHD can impact every area of life, including:
- Work: Deadlines loom, but meeting them feels like an uphill battle. When tasks pile up, you might feel a wave of anxiety or even shame, wondering why it feels so hard to keep up.
- Relationships: Loved ones may not fully understand why you forget plans, seem “distracted,” or struggle to stay present. Feeling misunderstood can create a sense of distance, even when you’re trying your best to connect.
- Everyday Life: Time slips away, keys disappear, and projects start with enthusiasm but rarely make it to the finish line. The daily juggling act can feel exhausting and unrelenting.
Privately, you might find yourself thinking, “If I could just get organized… If I could focus like everyone else… If only I could unlock my potential without feeling overwhelmed all the time.”
At Love on the Autism Spectrum, we understand how overwhelming these challenges can feel. ADHD isn’t about lack of effort or willpower—it’s about how your brain is wired. Through compassionate and thorough assessments, we help you uncover the root of your struggles and provide personalized strategies to support your unique needs. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
You’re Not Alone—ADHD Is Common & Treatable
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) affects millions of people across all ages, with recent estimates suggesting it impacts around 5% of adults worldwide. Despite its prevalence, many adults go undiagnosed for years, often attributing their struggles to laziness, lack of motivation, or personal shortcomings. This misunderstanding can lead to feelings of shame and self-doubt, making it even harder to seek support.
But here’s the truth: ADHD isn’t about willpower or effort—it’s a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain processes focus, organization, and emotional regulation. With the right support, tools, and strategies, ADHD can be managed in ways that honor your unique strengths and needs.
At Love on the Autism Spectrum, we offer compassionate, evidence-based ADHD assessments designed to uncover the root of your challenges. Whether you’ve long suspected ADHD or are just exploring the possibility, we’re here to provide clarity and guidance so you can move forward with confidence and self-compassion.
Research shows that a thorough assessment and personalized treatment plan can make a world of difference for individuals with ADHD. Understanding how ADHD uniquely impacts your life is the first step toward building strategies that work for you.
Therapy, particularly approaches that are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, can provide a safe space to explore your challenges and strengths. Cognitive-behavioral strategies, combined with executive functioning training, offer practical tools to help manage symptoms like inattention, impulsivity, and difficulties with organization. These approaches empower you to navigate daily life with greater confidence and ease.
At Love on the Autism Spectrum, we specialize in comprehensive ADHD assessments that uncover the root causes of your struggles. From there, we work with you to create a roadmap tailored to your needs, whether it’s through therapy, coaching, or connecting you with additional resources. With the right support, thriving with ADHD is not just possible—it’s achievable.
Recognizing ADHD Symptoms
Getting Started with ADHD Screening Tools
If you’re wondering whether ADHD might be impacting your life, several screening tools are available to help you gain clarity. These online screeners are free and can be taken in the privacy of your own home, offering a safe and accessible way to identify potential ADHD symptoms.
While these tools are not diagnostic, they are designed to highlight patterns and challenges that may indicate ADHD. They can also serve as a helpful first step in guiding you toward a more thorough evaluation.
- Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1): A screening tool for adults who suspect ADHD. It helps individuals self-assess their symptoms and provides a preliminary indication of whether further evaluation is needed.
- Barrett Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11): A self-report questionnaire comprising 30 questions that measure impulsivity, a common symptom of ADHD.
- Structured Adult ADHD Self-Test (SAAST): A comprehensive, self-administered test that assesses ADHD symptoms in adults. It is designed to be completed within 20 minutes and provides a score based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, including hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.
- Copeland Symptom List for Adult ADHD: This self-report questionnaire assesses ADHD symptoms in adults based on the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. It includes 26 items and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
ADHD screening tools are an invaluable resource for identifying symptoms and determining whether a more in-depth evaluation may be needed. These tools provide a structured approach to exploring ADHD, ensuring that key aspects of the condition are thoughtfully considered. While they are not diagnostic, they can offer helpful insights and serve as a starting point for further exploration.
Once you’ve completed one or more ADHD screening tools, the next step may be to consider a comprehensive ADHD assessment with us.
At Love on the Autism Spectrum. Our evaluations go beyond surface-level symptoms to uncover the full picture of how ADHD may be affecting your life.
The Diagnostic and Assessment Process for ADHD
Diagnosing ADHD is a nuanced process that requires a thoughtful and thorough evaluation by a qualified professional, I am a assessment specialist.
At Love on the Autism Spectrum, we take a compassionate, individualized approach to ensure you feel supported and understood throughout the process. Our ADHD assessments include several key components to provide an accurate diagnosis and a clear path forward:
1. Clinical Interview: We’ll begin with an in-depth conversation about your symptoms, medical history, and personal experiences. This collaborative dialogue helps us understand how ADHD shows up in your daily life, work, and relationships, offering valuable insights into your unique challenges and strengths.
2. Mental Status Examination: To ensure an accurate diagnosis, we’ll carefully rule out any underlying medical conditions that could contribute to your symptoms. This step provides clarity and ensures we’re addressing the root causes of your struggles.
3. Psychological Assessment: Standardized tests and questionnaires are used to evaluate specific behaviors and measure the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms. These tools offer a structured way to explore your experiences and provide a comprehensive understanding of your needs.
4. Review of Medical and Mental Health History: We’ll take the time to examine your medical records and any previous mental health conditions. Identifying co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma, is a critical part of creating a holistic understanding of your mental health.
5. Neuropsychological Testing: This step involves a series of cognitive tests designed to examine executive functioning, memory, time management, and focus. These assessments help identify specific areas where ADHD may be impacting your life and guide the development of personalized strategies.
Our goal is to provide a comprehensive evaluation that goes beyond a diagnosis. We aim to uncover the root causes of your challenges, highlight your strengths, and create a tailored plan that supports your unique needs.
At Love on the Autism Spectrum, we believe that understanding ADHD is the first step toward self-compassion, empowerment, and thriving.
What Happens During an ADHD Assessment?
Seeking an assessment is a decisive first step toward clarity and relief. Here’s what you can expect when you book a session with us:
Initial Intake Session
We’ll explore your personal and family history, including your experiences with focus, attention, and behavior patterns.
Comprehensive Evaluation
Feedback & Next Steps
ADHD Assessments for Adult ADHD
If you’ve been struggling with focus, organization, or impulsivity, you’re not alone. These challenges can feel overwhelming, but understanding their root causes is the first step toward regaining control and finding strategies that truly work for you. An ADHD assessment is a crucial part of diagnosing symptoms that often persist from childhood into adulthood, offering clarity and direction.
At Love on the Autism Spectrum, we use cutting-edge, evidence-based tools to ensure a thorough and accurate evaluation. These include:
- CAARS-2 (Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales): This assessment examines how ADHD impacts your daily life and relationships, providing valuable insights into the challenges you face.
- Brown EF/A (Executive Function/Attention): This tool focuses on executive functioning, helping identify difficulties with memory, time management, and task organization.
- DIVA-5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults): Using the latest ADHD diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5TR, this structured interview aligns your experiences with clinical standards to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
By combining these tools, we create a comprehensive picture of your unique needs. Our assessments don’t just scratch the surface—they dig deep to uncover the factors driving your challenges, empowering you with actionable insights and a clear path forward.
As part of your journey, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often recommended to develop practical strategies for managing ADHD symptoms.
At Love on the Autism Spectrum, we take a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming approach, ensuring that every step of the process respects your individual experiences and strengths.
Diagnostic Criteria and Guidelines
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) provides the diagnostic criteria and guidelines for ADHD. According to the DSM-5, the criteria include:
- A Persistent Pattern of Inattention and/or Hyperactivity-Impulsivity: These symptoms must interfere with functioning or development.
- Presence of Symptoms in Multiple Settings: At least five symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity must be present in two or more settings (e.g., home, school, work).
- Duration of Symptoms: Symptoms must have been present for at least six months.
- Early Onset: Symptoms must have been present since childhood, although they may not have been recognized or diagnosed until later in life.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) also provide guidelines for diagnosing ADHD. These guidelines ensure that the diagnosis is based on a standardized set of criteria, which helps achieve an accurate and consistent diagnosis across different healthcare settings.
Differential Diagnosis and Comorbidities
Differential diagnosis is essential to rule out other conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms. Practitioners may conduct tests of cognitive ability and academic achievement to rule out the presence of a learning disability, emphasizing the need to differentiate between ADHD symptoms and potential co-existing conditions like learning disabilities during diagnosis. A psychiatric evaluation is often conducted to rule out other mental health conditions.
Common conditions that may be misdiagnosed as ADHD include:
- Mood Disorders: Conditions such as depression and anxiety can present symptoms similar to ADHD, such as difficulty concentrating and restlessness.
- Learning Disabilities: Dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning disabilities can affect attention and academic performance, often overlapping with ADHD symptoms.
- Sleep Disorders: Issues like sleep apnea and insomnia can lead to fatigue and inattention, which may be mistaken for ADHD.
- Substance Use Disorders: Substance abuse can impact cognitive function and behavior, mimicking ADHD symptoms.
Here’s a breakdown of our ADHD Assessment process:
Diagnostic Assessment Cost: $900
Report Fees:
*If desired
- Diagnostic Note: $200
- Diagnostic Summary Report: $400
- Comprehensive Evaluation Report: $800
Accommodation Letters:
For Employment or Education: $200
What Ongoing ADHD Therapy Can Do for You
Through ADHD therapy, you’ll gain:
- Understanding: Learn how ADHD affects your brain and life patterns.
- Skills and Strategies: Develop tools to enhance focus, manage time, and stay organized.
- Emotional Support: Work through feelings of frustration, shame, or low self-esteem often tied to ADHD.
- Behavioral Therapy: Techniques to modify negative behaviors and reinforce positive ones.
Our compassionate and client-centered approach focuses on your unique goals and challenges. Together, we’ll turn your perceived “weaknesses” into strengths and help you navigate life more easily.
Our ongoing therapy services are designed to support individuals with ADHD in their daily lives. We understand that receiving an assessment and diagnosis is the first step in managing this condition.
It is the continuous support and guidance that truly makes a difference.
Through our therapy sessions, you will gain a deeper understanding of how ADHD affects your brain and behavior patterns. This knowledge can help you make sense of any challenges or difficulties you may face daily.
But understanding alone is not enough. That’s why we also provide practical skills and strategies to help manage your symptoms.
These tools can enhance your ability to focus, manage your time more effectively, and stay organized – all crucial skills for those living with ADHD.
In addition to these tangible benefits, our therapy sessions offer a safe, nonjudgmental space to talk about your experiences. Sometimes, sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone who understands can make a big difference in managing ADHD.
Common Concerns About ADHD Diagnostic Criteria and Assessment
Seeking an ADHD diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Here’s how we address the most common concerns:
I’m worried an ADHD diagnosis will label me for life.
What if I don’t have ADHD, but I’m still struggling?
What happens if the process is overwhelming or costly?
What if I’m hesitant to try medication?
Will my diagnosis affect my job or relationships?
Ready to Take Control of Your Life?
We understand that seeking support for mental health concerns can feel overwhelming. The hesitation, uncertainty, and questions about what comes next are completely valid. At Love on the Autism Spectrum, we’re here to meet you where you are—with compassion, understanding, and personalized care tailored to your unique needs.
Our experienced team is dedicated to walking alongside you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring an ADHD assessment, seeking a diagnosis, or simply trying to better understand your mind, we create a nonjudgmental space where you can feel seen, heard, and supported.
To make this process easier, we offer a free 20-minute initial consultation, called a “Clarity & Connection” Zoom. During this time, we’ll discuss your concerns, answer any questions, and explain the assessment process in detail. This is your opportunity to share what’s on your mind and decide if working with us feels like the right fit for you.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Reach out today and take the first step toward greater clarity, self-understanding, and empowerment.