We offer comprehensive psychological assessment services, as well as hyperactive psychological & ADHD psychological testing services, for children in Washington who have mental health difficulties. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate emotion and attention. The symptoms include difficulties with concentration, planning, organizing tasks and items, sitting still, and staying on-task. The signs of ADHD can be detected as early as three years old, although most people with ADHD are symptomatic before age 12.
There are three types of ADHD: inattentive type, impulsive/hyperactive type, and combined type. Just as the labels imply, the type of ADHD depends on whether you primarily struggle with attention, impulsivity, or both. But ADHD isn’t just about being easily distracted or having trouble concentrating – it’s about being able to regulate and exert self-control.
Many people with ADHD experience both difficulties with focus as well as moments where they hyper-focus and tune the rest of the world out. Additionally, their impulses can feel difficult to manage and control, which is why they might blurt out or interrupt others unintentionally. The symptoms of ADHD are rooted in differences in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is responsible for executive functioning as well as behavioral and emotional control. While some children with ADHD grow out of their symptoms as the prefrontal cortex develops, many continue to experience difficulties in adulthood.
Although there is no single medical, physical, or genetic test for ADHD, a diagnostic evaluation can be provided by a clinical psychologist that gathers information from multiple sources.
These sources include ADHD symptom checklists, standardized behavior rating scales, a detailed history of past and current functioning, and information obtained from family members or significant others who know the person well.
ADHD cannot be diagnosed accurately just from a brief office visit. A thorough history is necessary and co-occurring conditions need to be assessed. Our practice will also conduct tests of cognitive ability, executive functioning, processing and personality in order to rule out other possible causes of inattention/poor concentration. We provide a full battery of psychological tests in order to fully assess and get a clear picture of how ADHD may be impacting your functioning.
