ADHD Evaluations in Oakland County, MI
What Is Assessed in an ADHD Evaluation
Depending on referral questions, assessment may include evaluation of:
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Sustained attention, vigilance, and response consistency
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Impulse control and inhibitory regulation
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Executive functioning, including planning, organization, working memory, and cognitive flexibility
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Processing speed and mental efficiency
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Emotional regulation and stress reactivity
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Functional impact at home, school, or work
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Co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, learning differences, mood concerns, or autism-related features
Assessment integrates performance-based data, rating scales, history, and observation to distinguish ADHD from other causes of attentional difficulty.
Assessment Tools Used
A range of well-validated measures may be used as part of an ADHD evaluation. Test selection is individualized and may include:
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Cognitive measures, such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scales (WPPSI-IV, WISC-V, WAIS-IV/WAIS-V), with attention to working memory and processing speed
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Performance-based attention measures, such as the CPT-3
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Executive functioning tasks, including selected subtests from the D-KEFS or NEPSY-II
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Behavior and attention rating scales, completed by caregivers, teachers, or the individual (e.g., Conners-4, BRIEF-2)
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Emotional and behavioral measures, when indicated (e.g., BASC-3)
The specific tests used vary by individual and referral question; listed measures represent commonly used examples rather than a fixed battery.
A Thoughtful, Differential Approach
ADHD evaluations emphasize differential diagnosis — carefully examining whether observed challenges reflect ADHD, environmental mismatch, anxiety, learning differences, or overlapping neurodevelopmental factors. This approach supports accurate diagnosis and more effective recommendations.