ADHD Evaluations for Adults and Adolescents
An accurate evaluation of ADHD is an important first step in the process of understanding, identifying, and managing its symptoms and working towards a more positive well-being. Evaluations are conducted using the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS), the Copeland Symptom Checklist, and a diagnostic interview.
The evaluative process is available via telehealth only , and for current residents of Colorado, Kansas, and Utah.
An ADHD evaluation is a comprehensive assessment process used to diagnose Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in individuals. It involves gathering information from multiple clinical sources to determine whether an individual meets the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. The goal is to identify symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that significantly impact daily functioning.
At LuxeMind, our ADHD evaluations are conducted for adult and adolescent clients using the following components in order, over the course of 3-4 weeks:
1. Initial Consultation – A brief screening call (approx. 15 minutes) with our provider to discuss questions, concerns, and determine appropriateness and need for evaluation.
2. Clinical interview – A full telehealth session (approx. 60 minutes) for more detailed and in-depth discussion of symptoms, personal history, and functioning (approx. 60 minutes)
3. Testing and Questionnaires – Completing and submitting assessments, including Executive Functioning Inventories, a DSM-5 criteria review, and the Conners 4 Rating Scale.
4. Feedback, Results, and Treatment planning – Evaluation concludes with a telehealth session to review findings and discuss treatment recommendations.
Many adolescents and adults live with undiagnosed ADHD, often navigating challenges without knowing the underlying cause. A thoughtful evaluation can offer clarity, helping individuals better understand their experiences and the ways ADHD may be affecting their daily lives. For adolescents, early insight can make a positive difference in school, relationships, and self-confidence.
Why clinical evaluation matters
An evaluation can help determine whether ADHD is present, or if other factors may be contributing to attention or focus difficulties. Gaining an accurate understanding is an important first step in creating a personalized plan for support. And, at LuxeMind, we’re here for step two. We can use this information to guide collaborative treatment planning, which may include counseling, coaching to create practical strategies, and providing you with everyday tools tailored to your strengths and needs.
With the right understanding, individuals can be better equipped to manage challenges and move toward their goals, whether in school, at work, or in personal relationships. For many, the evaluation process also offers a sense of relief, validation, and self-compassion, helping make sense of past struggles while opening the door to growth and lasting change.
Did you know?
• ADHD looks different in adults than in children, making it easier to go undiagnosed with age.
• ADHD symptoms in adults and adolescents can be mistaken for personality traits, or even personal faults: For example, procrastination is often labeled as “laziness.”
• Adults with ADHD may appear to have less severe symptoms due to masking, or the use of coping strategies built up over years of having the same struggles.
• ADHD in adults and adolescents is often comorbid, or co-occurring, with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
• ADHD is underdiagnosed in women and girls, who often experience more inattentive symptoms than hyperactive symptoms.
Take the next step towards a healthier future– today.
We’re here to support you, no matter where you are in your mental health journey. Contact us today to request a consultation, and take the next step on your path to wellness. Your mental health matters, and we’re here to help.