ADHD testing
Understanding Your Neurodivergent Mind Through Comprehensive ADHD Assessment
ADHD testing might be something you've been wondering about for a while now—maybe even years. Maybe you've watched your child navigate their own ADHD diagnosis and thought, "Wait, that sounds familiar." Or perhaps perimenopause has turned your previously manageable quirks into overwhelming challenges that have you questioning everything you thought you knew about yourself. I get it. I've been there myself, and I've guided countless women through this exact journey of discovery.
ADHD testing at my practice looks different because it's designed specifically for women who've spent decades masking, compensating, and wondering why everything feels so much harder than it should. As a neurodivergent psychologist, I offer comprehensive online evaluations throughout Oregon and Washington State that honor your lived experience while providing the clarity you're seeking. My assessments are accessible, affirming, and grounded in understanding what it's like to be a high-achieving woman who's been working twice as hard to appear half as competent.
Why ADHD Testing Matters for Women in Midlife
The traditional understanding of ADHD was built on studies of hyperactive boys. We now know that ADHD presents differently in women, especially those who've developed sophisticated masking strategies over the years. You might have been the straight-A student who stayed up until 3 AM to finish assignments. The professional who arrives early to meetings because you're terrified of being late. The parent who maintains elaborate organizational systems that feel like they might collapse at any moment.
These compensatory strategies often work—until they don't. Major life transitions like motherhood, career changes, or hormonal shifts during perimenopause can overwhelm our carefully constructed coping mechanisms. Suddenly, the executive dysfunction becomes impossible to ignore.
My ADHD evaluations recognize these nuanced presentations. I understand that your ADHD might look like:
Chronic overwhelm despite being highly capable
Time blindness that coexists with obsessive punctuality
Hyperfocus on work projects while household tasks pile up
Emotional dysregulation that intensifies during hormonal changes
Decision paralysis about everything from dinner choices to career moves
Sensory sensitivities that you've learned to hide or push through
Rejection sensitive dysphoria that drives perfectionism and people-pleasing
My Comprehensive ADHD Evaluation Process
I approach ADHD testing as a collaborative exploration rather than a diagnostic checklist. My evaluations integrate multiple assessment tools and methodologies to create a complete picture of your neurocognitive profile.
Initial Consultation
Every evaluation journey begins with a free 15-minute consultation. This conversation helps us determine if my assessment approach aligns with your needs and goals. We'll discuss what's bringing you to seek evaluation now, what you hope to learn, and how the process works.
Clinical Interview and History
The foundation of my ADHD evaluation is an in-depth clinical interview. We'll explore your developmental history, educational experiences, work patterns, relationships, and current challenges. I'm particularly interested in understanding how you've adapted and compensated throughout your life.
For women who've excelled academically or professionally, I dig deeper to understand the hidden costs of that success. What did it take to maintain those grades? How many all-nighters, anxiety spirals, or burnout cycles did it require? Your struggles are valid even if you've achieved conventional success.
Standardized Assessment Tools
I utilize evidence-based assessment instruments specifically validated for adult ADHD. These tools help identify patterns of attention, executive function, and emotional regulation. However, I interpret these measures through a neurodiversity-affirming lens, recognizing that standardized tests often fail to capture the full complexity of how ADHD manifests in highly intelligent, masking adults.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Executive Function
Executive function challenges are often the most disruptive aspect of ADHD for the women I work with. My evaluation thoroughly assesses:
Working memory and information processing
Task initiation and completion patterns
Organization and time management strategies
Cognitive flexibility and adaptation to change
Emotional regulation and stress response
Planning and prioritization abilities
Differential Diagnosis Considerations
Many conditions can mimic or co-occur with ADHD, particularly in neurodivergent women. My evaluation carefully considers how autism, anxiety, trauma, and OCD might interact with or present similarly to ADHD symptoms. This is especially important for those who are AuDHD (autistic and ADHD), as the intersection creates unique cognitive profiles that require nuanced understanding.
Integration and Feedback
Following the evaluation, I provide a comprehensive feedback session where we review findings together. Rather than simply delivering a diagnosis, I help you understand your specific ADHD presentation, including your strengths and challenge areas. We'll discuss how ADHD intersects with your other identities and experiences, whether that's autism, queerness, parenthood, or professional life.
Beyond Diagnosis: Understanding Your Neurodivergent Identity
An ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, particularly for women who've been high achievers, can bring up complex emotions. Relief at finally having an explanation. Grief for the younger self who struggled without support. Anger at systems that missed or dismissed your neurodivergence. Excitement about understanding yourself better. Uncertainty about what comes next.
I hold space for all of these reactions. My evaluation process isn't just about determining whether you meet diagnostic criteria—it's about helping you understand your brain and develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
Who My ADHD Evaluations Serve Best
My assessment approach is particularly well-suited for:
Women who've recently recognized their neurodivergence, often after their child's diagnosis
Perimenopausal and menopausal women experiencing intensified executive dysfunction
High-achieving professionals wondering why success feels so exhausting
Parents struggling to balance family needs with their own neurodivergent traits
LGBTQ+ individuals seeking affirming, culturally competent evaluation
Those who suspect they might be AuDHD and need comprehensive assessment
Women who've been in therapy but feel something important has been missed
The Power of Accurate Diagnosis
Receiving an accurate ADHD diagnosis as an adult woman can be transformative. It recontextualizes a lifetime of struggles, validates your experiences, and opens doors to appropriate support and accommodations. Many of my clients describe their diagnosis as the missing piece that finally makes their life story make sense.
Understanding your ADHD also allows you to:
Develop strategies that work with your brain rather than against it
Advocate for accommodations in work and educational settings
Make informed decisions about treatment and support options
Release shame about struggles that were never personal failings
Connect with community and resources for neurodivergent adults
Rebuild your relationship with yourself based on understanding rather than judgment
Virtual Evaluations for Accessibility
I conduct all ADHD evaluations through secure online sessions, making comprehensive assessment accessible regardless of your location in Oregon or Washington State. Virtual evaluation eliminates the stress of commuting, finding parking, or navigating new environments—barriers that can be particularly challenging when you're already dealing with ADHD symptoms.
Online assessment also allows you to be evaluated in your own environment, which often provides more accurate insight into your daily functioning than a clinical office setting would.
Taking the Next Step
Seeking ADHD evaluation as an adult woman requires courage. You're challenging decades of masking, questioning narratives about who you're supposed to be, and opening yourself to new understanding. That's powerful work.
If you're ready to explore whether ADHD might be part of your neurodivergent profile, I invite you to reach out. We'll start with a free consultation to discuss your specific situation and determine if my evaluation approach aligns with your needs.
Remember, there's no "right" amount of struggle that justifies seeking evaluation. If ADHD symptoms are impacting your life—whether that's through obvious challenges or the exhausting effort of constant compensation—you deserve answers and support.
Your brain isn't broken. You're not lazy. You might just be neurodivergent in a world that wasn't designed for minds like ours. Together, we can uncover the truth about your neurotype and help you build a life that honors who you really are.
Ready to understand your ADHD? Contact me today to schedule your free 15-minute consultation and take the first step toward clarity and self-understanding.
Located at:
Portland, OR
Washington State
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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ADHD testing at my practice includes a comprehensive clinical interview, review of your developmental and medical history, symptom rating scales, and cognitive assessments when needed. I look at how ADHD symptoms show up across different areas of your life, both currently and historically. The process typically takes 2-3 sessions, and I tailor the evaluation to account for how ADHD presents differently in women, especially those who've been masking for years. You'll receive a detailed report with diagnostic impressions and recommendations for next steps.
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Absolutely. Many of my clients are autistic or suspect they're AuDHD (both autistic and ADHD). In fact, understanding the overlap and interaction between autism and ADHD is one of my specialties. The testing process accounts for how these conditions can present similarly and differently, and I'm experienced in distinguishing between autistic executive functioning challenges and ADHD-specific patterns. If you're already diagnosed autistic and wondering about ADHD, or vice versa, I can help you get clarity on what's actually going on with your brain.
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This is such a common question, and the answer depends on what you're looking for. If you want a formal diagnosis for documentation, accommodations, or just personal clarity, testing is the way to go. If you're pretty confident about your ADHD and mainly want support managing it, we can skip formal testing and move straight into therapy. During our free 15-minute consultation, we can talk through what makes the most sense for your specific situation and goals.
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That's exactly why testing exists. So many women come to me saying, "I think I might have ADHD, but maybe I'm just lazy/broken/doing life wrong." Part of what makes testing valuable is getting definitive answers instead of continuing to wonder. Sometimes testing confirms ADHD, sometimes it reveals something else entirely, and sometimes it shows that you're just dealing with burnout or other challenges. Whatever the outcome, you'll have clarity instead of uncertainty, and that's powerful.
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From our initial consultation to receiving your final report, the process typically takes 4-6 weeks, depending on scheduling. This includes the free 15-minute consultation, an intake session, 1-2 testing sessions, and time for me to score everything and write your comprehensive report. I know waiting can feel hard when you've already been wondering for years, but I take the time needed to get it right and provide you with a thorough, useful evaluation.
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All of my services, including ADHD testing, are provided online. I serve clients throughout Oregon and Washington State via secure telehealth. Online testing is just as valid and comprehensive as in-person evaluations, and for many busy women, it's actually more accessible. You can complete your assessment from the comfort of your own space without adding commute time to your already-packed schedule.
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After testing, we'll have a feedback session where I walk you through the results, explain what they mean, and discuss recommendations. You'll receive a detailed written report that you can use for your records, share with other providers, or use to request accommodations if needed. From there, you can decide if you want to continue working with me in therapy to address ADHD-related challenges, or take your results and pursue other options. There's no pressure to continue services with me, though many clients find it helpful to keep working together.
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Yes, absolutely. Hormonal changes can significantly impact ADHD symptoms, and perimenopause often unmasks ADHD that's been quietly managed for decades. During the evaluation, I specifically ask about how your symptoms have changed over time and whether you've noticed patterns related to your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, or perimenopause. Understanding the full picture of how your brain works across different life stages is essential for accurate assessment.
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This is incredibly common among the women I work with. High achievement and ADHD aren't mutually exclusive, and in fact, many smart, accomplished women have ADHD that went undetected precisely because they were able to compensate so well. The testing process looks beyond external success to understand the internal cost of that achievement. If you've been working twice as hard as everyone else to appear competent, or if your success has come at the expense of your well-being, that's valuable information that will be part of the assessment.
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Yes, the comprehensive report you receive can be used to request workplace or academic accommodations under the ADA or other relevant policies. The report includes diagnostic impressions, an explanation of how ADHD impacts your functioning, and specific recommendations that might be helpful. While I can't guarantee what accommodations you'll receive (that's up to your employer or school), I provide documentation that clearly outlines your needs and supports your request.
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Therapy- $250 per session
ASD assessment- $2500
ADHD assessment- $500