Child ADHD Testing

Are you noticing challenges in your child's behavior, attention, or academic performance that leave you feeling overwhelmed or concerned? Have you ever felt overcome by your child's seemingly boundless energy or struggled to help them stay focused on tasks? Do you ever find yourself questioning whether certain behaviors are typical childhood quirks or indicative of something more? As parents/caregivers, you may find yourselves grappling with a myriad of challenges as you strive to support your child's well-being and success. Seeking ADHD testing for your child can provide much-needed clarity and support in navigating these uncertainties. It's an opportunity to gain deeper insights into your child's unique strengths and challenges, empowering you to advocate for their needs and access the appropriate resources and interventions. By taking this proactive step, you're not only affirming your child's neurodiversity but also equipping them with the tools and support they need to thrive in a world that celebrates their differences.

Recognizing ADHD Symptoms in Children

Children with ADHD often display a range of symptoms that can impact various aspects of their daily life. These may include:

Inattention: Difficulty sustaining attention, frequent careless mistakes, forgetfulness, and trouble organizing tasks.

Hyperactivity: Restlessness, excessive fidgeting, inability to sit still, and difficulty engaging in quiet activities.

Impulsivity: Acting without considering consequences, interrupting others, and difficulty waiting for turns.

If you observe persistent patterns of these behaviors that interfere with your child's ability to function at home, school, or in social settings, it may be time to consider ADHD testing.

The Importance of ADHD Testing for Children

ADHD testing serves several essential purposes:

Accurate Diagnosis: Testing conducted by qualified professionals can provide clarity and confirmation of whether ADHD is contributing to your child's challenges.

Tailored Support: A comprehensive evaluation can identify your child's specific strengths and weaknesses, allowing for personalized interventions and accommodations that support their academic and social success.

Early Intervention: Identifying ADHD early can facilitate timely access to appropriate interventions, therapies, and support services that can positively impact your child's development and long-term outcomes.

The ADHD Testing Process for Children

The ADHD testing process involves the following steps:

Initial Parent Appointment

You will meet with the clinician to discuss your child’s history and symptoms. Information about your child’s milestones, school history, strengths, and current challenges will be reviewed. If you have mental health records from other treating or evaluating providers, it is very helpful to share this as part of the evaluation.

Diagnostic Testing

Your child will meet with the clinician to complete standardized tests that will help to better understand their unique cognitive profile, strengths, and areas of challenge. These tests measure things such as attention, executive functioning, memory, processing speed, verbal skills, visual-spatial skills, and problem-solving skills. We try to make this process fun and engaging for children! Also, as part of the evaluation, parents will complete questionnaires about symptoms and behaviors of the child. As it is very helpful to understand children’s behaviors at school, with your permission, questionnaires will also be sent to their teachers to gather more information.

Comprehensive Report

You will receive a comprehensive report about 1-2 weeks after testing is completed. This report will outline the findings, diagnostic conclusions, and recommendations for interventions, accommodations, and support services tailored to your child's needs. The report will highlight areas of strengths and challenge. Because our evaluations are comprehensive, they do not just evaluate for ADHD. Other mental health conditions can mimic ADHD and other mental health conditions often co-occur with ADHD. If your child has other mental health diagnoses like depression, anxiety, etc. the report will also provide these diagnoses and recommendations for treatment.

Feedback Session

Parents have the option of scheduling an appointment with the clinician to discuss the report and findings of the evaluation. Recommendations for treatment and interventions for your child will be explored in this session.

Comprehensive ADHD Testing for Children

At Zephyr Care, we specialize in providing comprehensive testing for ADHD for children. We will help you navigate the journey of understanding and supporting your child with compassion, expertise, and personalized care. Our evaluations are always neurodiversity-affirming and are a great first step toward to empowering your child to thrive.