Could It Be ADHD? When Testing Makes Sense for Kids, Teens and Adults

Every kid daydreams. Every adult misplaces their keys. So how do you know when it might be ADHD? The short answer: when the pattern is steady, shows up in more than one place, and keeps getting in the way at school, at work or at home. When that's the case, a proper evaluation can give you a clear answer instead of years of guessing. Here's what to look for and what testing involves.

What ADHD can look like at different ages

Kids may have trouble sitting still, wait their turn with great difficulty, lose things constantly, or start homework and drift away from it. Teachers may notice it before parents do.

Teens often look more disorganized than hyper. Missed assignments, last-minute cramming, forgetting plans and acting before thinking are common. Grades may slip as schoolwork gets harder.

Adults may describe a lifelong struggle with focus, time and follow-through. Bills paid late, projects half done, a cluttered desk and the feeling of always running behind. Many adults were never tested as kids and simply learned to work twice as hard.

It isn't always ADHD

Trouble focusing can come from lots of places, including anxiety, depression, poor sleep, stress or a learning difference. That's exactly why testing helps. A good evaluation looks at the whole picture, not just a checklist.

What ADHD testing involves

At Fox Valley Institute, psychological testing is done in person at our Naperville office by a licensed clinical psychologist. It typically includes:

1. A one-hour diagnostic interview about history, school or work, and day-to-day life.
2. About three to four hours of testing. Along with traditional measures, we use the Attemo, a test that objectively measures attention and motor control.
3. A written report, usually ready in four to six weeks.
4. A one-hour feedback session to go over the results in plain language and talk about next steps.

For children, parents stay at the office during testing. If it's a school concern, bring report cards, school reports and teacher notes. With your permission, the report can be shared with your child's school or doctor.

What can help after a diagnosis

An answer is a starting point, not a label. Counseling can help with the practical side of ADHD, like routines, planning and handling frustration, and with the feelings that often come with it. For kids, parents learn strategies too. Our therapists use approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and our child and teen counseling takes place in person at our office.

Fox Valley Institute doesn't prescribe medication. If medication might be part of the plan, your clinician can talk it through with you, and you'd pursue it with a psychiatrist or your physician.

Frequently asked questions

How long does ADHD testing take?
It usually includes a one-hour diagnostic interview, about three to four hours of testing, and a one-hour feedback session. The written report is typically ready in four to six weeks.

Can adults be tested for ADHD?
Yes. Fox Valley Institute tests both children and adults.

Can ADHD testing be done by telehealth?
No. All psychological testing at Fox Valley Institute is done in person at our Naperville office.

Does Fox Valley Institute prescribe ADHD medication?
No. We don't have psychiatrists on staff, and our clinicians don't prescribe. If medication might help, your clinician can talk it through with you, and you'd pursue it with a psychiatrist or your physician.

Get a clear answer

Call us at (630) 718-0717 or send us a text through our website. Tell us what you've been noticing, and our intake coordinators will check your insurance and help you get started.