Test for ADD/ADHD

At Bay Area Adult ADHD our treatment team consists of clinicians experienced in providing assessment and specialized treatment focused on the needs of adults with ADD/ADHD.
Our clinicians seek to identify and clarify the presence of issues with attention, concentration, impulsivity, and hyperactivity consistent with the DSM-V-TR diagnosis of ADHD. Receiving an accurate diagnosis can be incredibly relieving for individuals who have struggled with these symptoms without understanding what was causing them. Our treatment of ADHD is based on a tailored approach that acknowledges how ADHD manifests differently in each person.

Adults with ADHD can present in a variety of ways, and understanding their specific needs is key in guiding both the assessment and treatment process. The complexity of their symptoms, whether it’s a more straightforward case or one with comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression, can affect the type of assessment or testing needed. Some individuals may also need more comprehensive reports, especially if they are seeking accommodations in work or academic settings. Tailoring the assessment to these unique needs is essential to ensure that the results are not only accurate but also helpful for accessing accommodations or other support services. At Bay Area Adult ADHD we offer three different levels of assessment. Please review the different levels of assessment to ensure you schedule the appropriate level when booking, or book a free 20 minute “psychological testing consultation” if you would like help making this selection.

An important step in the process of determining whether to schedule an assessment for ADD/ADHD is to complete our Free Anonymous Online Screening. This ADD/ADHD screening tool takes less than five minutes to complete, and can aid in determining the need for further Testing by a trained professional. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale v1.1 (ASRS) and ADHD-ASRS checklist v1.1 were created by the World Health Organization ©2001.

Level 1: Targeted ADHD Assessment

Offered remotely to adult clients throughout California. In-person evaluations available upon request.

Our Level 1 Targeted ADHD Assessment is a focused, streamlined assessment primarily for identifying ADHD symptoms and behaviors. This evaluation screens for the presence of other mental disorders for the purposes of differentiating symptoms and identifying possible co-occurring diagnoses; however since the evaluation is targeted primarily at ADHD, other mental health disorders are not diagnosed.

Key Elements of a Level 1 ADHD Assessment

Clinical Interview
- Meeting with a member of our clinical team to collect a detailed history of symptoms and behaviors, and their impact on day to day functioning in work, school, and relationships.
- Exploring family history of ADHD. ADHD has a strong genetic component.
- Basic screening of psychiatric symptoms.
Structured Diagnostic ADHD Interview
- A structured diagnostic tool is used to systematically assess ADHD symptoms to ensure consistency in the evaluation and that diagnostic criteria are met.
Standardized ADHD Measures and Rating Scales
- These assessment tools are completed by the client and others who know the client well (friends, family members, or colleagues).
- Rating scales help the clinician determine symptom severity in multiple environments.
- Standardized tools are measured against norms in the general population.
Diagnosis and Results
- If supported by the data, an ADHD diagnosis is made
- If an ADHD diagnosis is made, a 1-page statement of diagnosis document will be provided. If requested, longer documentation is available for an additional fee.

Treatment Recommendations Offered

This type of assessment is helpful for adults seeking increased self-understanding, or those wishing to proceed with psychiatric medication and/or therapy specifically targeting their ADHD symptoms. If you receive an ADHD diagnosis, the results of the evaluation can be provided as documentation to a prescribing provider. A Level 1 ADHD assessment is generally adequate in informing a prescriber’s decision to medicate. However, some providers may require more extensive testing (Level 2 or Level 3) before making a decision to proceed with medication. The decision to prescribe medication based on your diagnosis from Bay Area Adult ADHD is up to your prescriber. Bay Area Adult ADHD does not provide medication management.

Book this Level if you::

Have no significant history of psychiatric symptoms or diagnosis other than ADHD, or these symptoms are mild and have improved through current/previous therapy and/or current medication.
Do not have any suspected learning or cognitive concerns that require evaluation.
Are not seeking accommodations for school or for entrance or licensing examinations.
Are interested in receiving work accommodations documentation that may be provided for an additional fee.

Level 2: ADHD and Psychiatric Assessment

Offered remotely to adult clients throughout California. In-person assessment is available upon request.

A Level 2 ADHD + Psychiatric Assessment includes the same evaluation procedures as a Level 1 assessment, along with a deeper assessment of psychiatric symptoms.

This type of assessment is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing mental health conditions that may be affecting attention and concentration. Individuals who have undergone mental health treatment but continue to struggle with attention and focus, raising questions about underlying ADHD, are well-suited for this type of evaluation. This evaluation is also appropriate for those with complex mental health histories that require a more detailed examination to ensure an accurate ADHD diagnosis.

This evaluation includes an assessment of:

Mood disorders
Anxiety disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Trauma disorders
Substance use disorders

Key Elements of a Level 2 Assessment

Clinical Interview
- Meeting with a psychologist to collect a detailed history of ADHD symptoms and behavior, and their impact on day-to-day functioning in work, school, and relationships.
- Exploring family history of ADHD. ADHD has a strong genetic component.
- In-depth review of current and past psychiatric symptoms.
Structured Diagnostic ADHD Interview
- A structured diagnostic tool is used to systematically assess ADHD symptoms to ensure consistency in the evaluation and that diagnostic criteria are met.
Standardized ADHD Measures and Rating Scales
- These assessment tools are completed by the client and others who know the client well (friends, family members, or colleagues).
- Rating scales help the clinician determine symptom severity in multiple environments.
- Standardized tools are measured against norms in the general population.
Standardized Psychiatric Measures
- A robust standardized measure of psychiatric symptoms will be used to investigate the presence of psychiatric disorders.
Diagnosis and Results
- If supported by the data, both ADHD and psychiatric diagnoses will be provided.
- A 2-3 page summary of findings will be included.
- Results may be particularly helpful for psychiatric providers to guide decisions about psychiatric medication when multiple diagnoses may be present.
- Results may support requests for school accommodations that do not require cognitive testing.

Treatment and Accommodation Recommendations Offered

This type of evaluation is helpful for adults seeking increased self-understanding regarding ADHD and their mental health, or those wishing to proceed with psychiatric medication and/or therapy targeting ADHD as well as other psychiatric symptoms. The results of the evaluation may be provided as documentation to a prescribing provider. A Level 2 assessment is generally adequate in informing a prescriber’s decision to medicate. However, in rare cases a prescriber may require more extensive testing (Level 3) before making a decision to proceed with medication. The decision to prescribe medication based on your diagnosis from Bay Area Adult ADHD is up to your prescriber. Bay Area Adult ADHD does not provide medication management.

Book this Level if you: :

Have current or past psychiatric diagnosis that notably affect your attention, focus, concentration, or motivation.
Have more than one current psychiatric diagnosis.
Have psychiatric symptoms that affect your daily functioning.
Your provider has suggested that you might have an “underlying ADHD.”
Are seeking school or work accommodations for ADHD and your school or employer guidelines do not require cognitive or neuropsychological testing. Additional fee may apply to fill out paperwork.

At or before the beginning of your first appointment, your clinician will seek to clarify with you the level of assessment that best suits your needs. However, it is not always possible to tell in advance which type of evaluation will best suit your needs, and your clinician may recommend a different Level based on information shared in the first session. If you book Level 2 Assessment but your clinician feels a Level 1 Assessment would be sufficient, you will have the option to proceed with a Level 1 Assessment.

Level 3: Comprehensive Psychological Testing

Offered in-person or a hybrid of in-person and remote visits for adult and child clients.

A Level 3 ADHD Assessment includes a comprehensive testing of cognitive, intellectual, and academic functioning. This assess,emt is especially beneficial for individuals with suspected learning or cognitive challenges or those seeking to establish eligibility for accommodations in school, on standardized entrance exams, or professional licensing exams.

In addition to targeted ADHD and psychiatric assessment, this level incorporates cognitive, IQ, and academic testing. Neuropsychological testing may be included if deemed necessary. The scope of the evaluation and specific tests administered are tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

Level 3 is also appropriate for children who require a thorough assessment to better understand academic or cognitive concerns and their impact on attention and learning.

Key Elements of a Level 3 Evaluation

Clinical Interview

A thorough interview to explore developmental, medical, educational, and psychiatric history.
Detailed discussion of ADHD symptoms, cognitive concerns, and their impact on daily life.
Review of prior evaluations, school records, and mental health treatment history.

Structured ADHD and Psychiatric Assessment

Administration of structured diagnostic tools to assess ADHD symptoms systematically.
Standardized psychiatric measures to evaluate co-occurring mental health conditions.

Behavior Rating Scale Measures

ADHD and psychiatric symptom rating scales completed by the client and informants (e.g., family, teachers, or colleagues).
Assessment of symptom severity in different settings.

Cognitive and Intellectual Testing

Administration of an IQ test (e.g., WAIS, WISC) to assess cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
Evaluation of verbal and nonverbal reasoning, processing speed, and working memory.
Administration of a Continuous Performance Test (CPT) if needed.

Academic Achievement Testing

Standardized measures of reading, writing, and mathematics to assess academic functioning.
Identification of potential learning disorders that may impact attention and school/work performance.

Neuropsychological Testing (if clinically indicated)

Additional testing of executive functioning, memory, and processing speed.
Targeted assessments for specific cognitive concerns, such as visual-spatial skills or phonological/auditory processing.

Comprehensive Diagnostic Report

A detailed psychological evaluation report including test results, diagnostic impressions, and individualized recommendations.
Formal documentation that may support accommodations in school, standardized exams, or professional licensing exams.

Treatment and Accommodation Recommendations

Personalized recommendations for therapy, academic support, workplace accommodations, and psychiatric care.
Guidance on next steps for medication evaluation, if applicable.
Support for requests for accommodations in educational and professional settings.

Book this Level if you: :

Require cognitive and academic testing to assess learning or processing difficulties.
Need formal documentation for accommodations in school or on standardized/licensing exams (MCAT, BAR exam, etc.).
Have complex presentations requiring a thorough assessment beyond ADHD and psychiatric symptoms.
Are seeking a deeper understanding of their cognitive and academic functioning in relation to attention and executive functioning.