What to Expect at Your Child's ADHD Evaluation (and How to Prepare)

Maybe it was a comment at a parent-teacher conference. Maybe homework has turned into a nightly battle, or your child seems to be trying so hard and still falling behind. If ADHD has crossed your mind, an evaluation can bring real clarity, whatever the answer turns out to be.

Step 1: A conversation with you

Evaluations start with parents. I want to hear what you're seeing at home, when it started, what you've tried, and what your child is like at their best. We'll go through pregnancy and early development, medical history, sleep, and family history, since ADHD often runs in families.

Step 2: Time with your child

Then I spend time with your child, in a way that fits their age. Younger children may talk and play; teens usually want some private time to share their side. I'm looking at attention, mood, worries, friendships and how they see themselves.

Step 3: Rating scales from home and school

Standardized rating scales from parents and teachers help show whether symptoms appear across settings, which is part of how ADHD is diagnosed. Teacher input is one of the most valuable pieces of the puzzle.

Step 4: Ruling out look-alikes

Anxiety, depression, learning differences, sleep problems, vision or hearing issues and stress at home can all look like ADHD, or travel with it. A good evaluation considers all of them. Sometimes I'll recommend additional testing, such as a psychoeducational evaluation through school.

How to prepare

• Recent report cards and any teacher comments or emails
• Any prior evaluations, IEP or 504 documents
• A list of current medications and medical conditions
• Notes on what a typical morning, homework time and bedtime look like
• Your top questions and concerns, written down

After the evaluation

We'll talk through the findings together and build a plan. If it's ADHD, that may include medication, parent strategies, school accommodations and skills for your child. I involve parents throughout, and with your permission I'm happy to coordinate with your child's school.

If you're anywhere in New Jersey and want to talk it through first, book a free 15-minute phone consult.