ADHD Testing
Do You Want To Get Your Child Evaluated For ADHD?
Is your child or teenager struggling to keep up in school?
Do they have trouble navigating social situations and keeping friends?
Are they inattentive, hyperactive, and overly forgetful?
Maybe your child has difficulty controlling their emotions. They might struggle to stay on task and follow rules, leading to problems in school and misunderstandings with their teachers. Perhaps you’ve long wondered if your child has ADHD, but they’ve never had a proper diagnosis or assessment.
On The Other Hand, Maybe You’re An Adult Who’s Never Been Tested For ADHD
Yet all your challenges match the description of ADHD. You may have trouble staying focused, being on time, and finishing what you started. Perhaps you have lots of great ideas but struggle to translate them into action. Your symptoms might affect your sleep, relationships, and performance at work.
Whether you’re seeking an ADHD test for yourself or your child, we are here to help. Here at Lift Wellness Group, we provide assessments and diagnoses for people of all ages struggling with ADHD. And since the goal of our practice is overall wellness, we also offer individual therapy, family therapy, and other means of mental health care for those with ADHD.
ADHD Is Very Common, But Widely Misunderstood
Roughly 10 percent of children ages 3-17 in the US have been diagnosed with ADHD.* Yet as widespread as ADHD is, it’s still terribly misunderstood. Because kids with ADHD often have trouble sitting still, paying attention, and controlling their emotions, many of them are labeled “troublemakers” or “class clowns.” This usually leads to low self-esteem and causes them to feel like social misfits.
What’s more, girls with ADHD are usually underdiagnosed because their symptoms aren’t always obvious. They generally aren’t as hyperactive as boys—instead, they tend to daydream and get distracted easily. As a result, lots of girls grow up without knowing they have ADHD. That’s why we provide ADHD tests for adults who’ve never been formally diagnosed.
Our High-Stress Area Makes Life Even Harder For Kids With ADHD
There is so much pressure on children and teens to be successful. This is especially the case in our area of Connecticut, as kids here are expected to get good grades, succeed in sports, and attend Ivy League schools. These expectations are extra tough on children with ADHD, since they learn differently from others and may take longer to complete certain tasks.
An ADHD evaluation can make it easier for your child to navigate this high-pressure environment, giving them the accommodations and emotional support necessary to succeed in life.
ADHD Testing Can Help Children, Teens, And Adults Get The Answers They Need
Being evaluated for ADHD is akin to someone with poor vision being given their first pair of glasses. It enables kids to see their situation in a clearer light, better understand their strengths and weaknesses, and figure out what accommodations they need. As a result, an assessment can help put children with ADHD on level ground with their same-age peers.
If you’re an adult seeking ADHD testing, an evaluation can give you the answers to challenges that you’ve had all your life. Understanding how your brain works can help you navigate problems in your career and your relationships with greater ease.
Whether you’re seeking a test for you or your child or teen, our practice offers a wide range of treatment options in addition to ADHD screening. Together, we can work on maximizing scaffolding and supports by looking into medication, holistic approaches, individual or family therapy, and collaboration with your child’s school system. The goal is to create the most comprehensive treatment plan possible.
How An ADHD Assessment Works
The whole evaluation process generally lasts two weeks and consists of one or two visits, depending on whether you’re coming by yourself or with your child. Sessions take about an hour and can be held online or at our office in Westport, Connecticut.
For children having an evaluation, we use the Conners rating scale, a questionnaire that assesses ADHD symptoms by looking at behavior, work, schoolwork, social life, and other facets of everyday life. The rating scale can be filled out by parents, teachers, and other influential figures in your child’s life. It allows us to get an accurate picture of how ADHD affects your child in different environments.
As long as the client and/or family attend the evaluation sessions, complete the questionnaires, provide information, and are actively involved in the process, the evaluation will be complete in one-to-two weeks.
Other Services We Offer For ADHD Treatment
When the testing is done, we would be happy to offer you or your child wraparound services for continued ADHD treatment. These services can include play therapy, nutrition therapy, couples counseling, educational support, parent training, executive function coaching, and peer group therapy. We can also work with education advocacy groups and collaborate with your child’s school to provide accommodations.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that neurodivergent people are often highly intelligent, creative, and passionate. Having ADHD isn’t a weakness—it’s simply a sign that someone’s brain works differently. ADHD testing is a chance to learn about how the condition works and gain the skills to succeed both now and in the future.
You May Have Some Questions About ADHD Testing...
I don’t want to put a label on my child.
If your child has ADHD, chances are they’re already developing a label—but it’s not an accurate one. Children with ADHD are often perceived as lazy, disruptive, or oppositional by educators, coaches, and peers. Accurate diagnostics ensure that the people in your child’s life are able to empathize with their challenges rather than misconstrue your child’s struggles as intentional or behavioral choices. After all, understanding from caregivers and peers is critical to your child’s self-esteem.
My kid can’t sit through an hour-long session because they’re so hyperactive.
We get it—no child likes to sit still for long periods of time. The good news is that they don’t have to. We’ll accommodate your child so that the assessment process is fun, active, and engrossing. We can incorporate play therapy, art therapy, and other hands-on approaches if needed.
Will my child’s information be kept confidential?
Yes! Whether you release any diagnostic information to the school or anyone else in your child’s life is entirely your choice. The same thing goes for your own information if you’re an adult seeking ADHD testing. Your privacy is protected by law and only you have the right to inform outside organizations about the assessment. And even if you share your child’s diagnosis with their school, the school must also honor and safeguard your medical information.
ADHD Does Not Have To Hold You or Your Child Back
You can learn to thrive and harness your ADHD as a superpower. To schedule an ADHD assessment and get the answers you need, use the contact form or call our intake number at 203-908-5603.
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
