ADHD and Autism Testing

ADHD and Autism Evaluations for Adults

A comprehensive ADHD or autism evaluation can help adults better understand longstanding patterns in attention, executive functioning, social communication, sensory experiences, and daily functioning. Many adults seek an evaluation after recognizing traits in themselves, experiencing difficulties at work or in relationships, or realizing that previous explanations for their experiences may not fully capture the whole picture.

Evaluations are individualized based on your history, current concerns, and the specific questions you are hoping to answer. The goal is not simply to administer a series of tests, but to understand your experiences within the context of your developmental and personal history.

Questions an evaluation may aim to answer:

• Could ADHD or autism help explain my experiences?
• Why have I struggled with organization, attention, motivation, or completing tasks?
• Why do I have difficulty managing routines or everyday responsibilities?
• Why do social interactions sometimes feel confusing, exhausting, or effortful?
• Could masking or compensating have made it difficult for others to recognize my traits?
• Could ADHD and autism both be contributing to my experiences?
• Could another mental health or developmental factor better explain my concerns?
• What are my strengths, challenges, and areas where additional support may be helpful?
• Would a diagnosis help me better understand myself or access appropriate supports?

ADHD & Autism Evaluations vs. Neuropsychological Evaluations

These evaluations are comprehensive psychological and diagnostic assessments, but they are not formal neuropsychological evaluations.

ADHD and autism evaluations focus primarily on diagnostic clarification, developmental history, psychological functioning, and characteristics associated with ADHD and/or autism. They are not intended to provide a comprehensive assessment of neurological or neurocognitive functioning.

A formal neuropsychological evaluation is broader and may involve extensive assessment of areas such as memory, attention, executive functioning, language, processing speed, visuospatial abilities, and other aspects of cognitive and neurological functioning.

If your primary questions relate to whether ADHD and/or autism may explain your experiences, a psychological evaluation may be an appropriate fit. If your concerns involve more extensive questions about cognitive or neurological functioning, a neuropsychological evaluation may be more appropriate. We can discuss your concerns during the initial consultation and determine what type of evaluation would provide the most useful information.