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Assessment at a parent's request
ADHD assessment in children and teens uses age-appropriate tools, including parent and teacher rating scales that document functioning across several settings. Parents are involved at every step of the process, from the initial interview through to the delivery of results. The clinical report includes recommendations for the school setting, which can support a request for accommodations with the school team.
ADHD Assessment in Montréal
Naming what gets in the way of everyday attention.
Attention deficit disorder, with or without hyperactivity, is not just a child who fidgets in class or an adult who feels scattered. Clinical assessment sorts out what stems from ADHD from what stems from something else, for each person assessed.
Clinical ADHD
A neurodevelopmental disorder of executive function
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, impulsivity, and in some forms, hyperactivity. It reflects an atypical functioning of the brain circuits responsible for self-regulation, planning, and impulse control. It is present from childhood, though it is sometimes identified later in adulthood. The three presentations recognized by the DSM-5 are the predominantly inattentive presentation, the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, and the combined presentation.
ADHD in Children
How ADHD shows up in children and teens
In children, ADHD often shows up as difficulty sustaining attention on a school task, motor restlessness, verbal impulsivity, or a tendency to forget instructions and belongings. In teens, the symptoms evolve. Visible hyperactivity decreases and gives way to inner restlessness, school disorganization, and difficulty finishing longer assignments. Parents and teachers are usually the first to notice these patterns, sometimes mistaken for a lack of motivation or a discipline problem.
What the assessment measures
The executive functions assessed in ADHD
The neuropsychological assessment of ADHD measures the cognitive functions that underlie self-regulation. Sustained attention and selective attention are tested using standardized tasks that require concentration over several minutes. Working memory, which allows information to be held and manipulated for a few seconds, is assessed through verbal and visual sequences. Inhibition, mental flexibility, and planning are measured through recognized executive function tasks. Processing speed is timed on visual scanning and rapid naming tasks. This cognitive profile, combined with the clinical history and the rating scales completed by those close to the person, helps distinguish ADHD from another disorder with similar presentations.
ADHD in Adults
How ADHD shows up in adulthood
In adults, ADHD rarely presents as the stereotypical image of the hyperactive child. It more often takes the form of a chronic difficulty organizing tasks, prioritizing, meeting deadlines, and sustaining attention on activities that are not stimulating. The consequences touch professional life, financial management, relationships, and self-esteem. Many adults being assessed for the first time describe having compensated for years before a specific event, such as a job change, becoming a parent, or a diagnosis in the family, prompted them to seek an assessment.
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A late diagnosis is common
ADHD does not appear in adulthood. A diagnosis made at 30, 40, or 50 simply confirms that a disorder present since childhood had not been identified. Assessment in adulthood documents this continuity by exploring signs present during childhood and schooling, then measuring current cognitive functioning. The diagnosis often allows a person to reread their life path from a new angle and to begin concrete adjustments, whether pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, or organizational.
Co-occurring Conditions
The conditions that often co-occur with ADHD
ADHD rarely occurs on its own. The clinical assessment systematically documents the conditions that may co-occur and influence the clinical picture.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are the most common co-occurring condition with ADHD at every age. Inner restlessness, difficulty falling asleep, and rumination can reflect one, the other, or both. The assessment distinguishes the symptoms that belong to each condition.
Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia, dysorthographia, and dyscalculia frequently co-occur with ADHD in children. The assessment measures academic performance and language skills to identify an overlapping learning disability that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Mood Disorders
Depressive episodes and mood fluctuations are more frequent in people with ADHD, particularly during adolescence and adulthood. Differential diagnosis is essential to avoid confusing ADHD with a mood disorder, or the reverse.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
ADHD and ASD co-occur in about 30 to 50 percent of cases according to recent studies. The assessment distinguishes the attention difficulties specific to ADHD from the cognitive and social characteristics specific to ASD, which guides the recommendations.
The Tests Used
What the in-office ADHD assessment includes
The process combines several sources of clinical information. No single test establishes an ADHD diagnosis on its own, it is their integration that builds the conclusion.
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In-depth clinical interview
Developmental, academic, medical, and family history. Description of current symptoms and a look back at childhood when the assessment concerns an adult.
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Standardized scales completed by those close to the person
Normed questionnaires completed by parents, teachers, or a spouse, depending on age. These scales document functioning across several settings, an important diagnostic criterion for ADHD.
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Neuropsychological tests
Objective measures of attention, working memory, inhibition, flexibility, planning, and processing speed. Results are compared against age and education norms.
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Differential analysis and report
Integration of the observations to distinguish ADHD from other conditions with similar presentations, such as anxiety, a learning disability, or a sleep disorder. The clinical report specifies the presentation observed and individualized recommendations.
Before you consult
The most frequently asked questions about ADHD assessment
If your question isn’t on this list, reach out directly to discuss it.
In Quebec, an ADHD diagnosis can be made by a psychologist qualified to practise neuropsychology, a physician, a pediatrician, or a psychiatrist. The neuropsychological assessment provides an objective measure of the cognitive functions involved, which is especially useful when the clinical picture is complex or when a co-occurring condition is suspected.
A suspicion of ADHD in adulthood is confirmed through a complete clinical assessment that combines an interview, normed rating scales, and neuropsychological tests. Online questionnaires can help guide your thinking, but they do not replace a diagnostic assessment. The assessment also helps rule out or identify another condition that could explain the symptoms.
ADHD is the same neurodevelopmental condition at every age, but how it presents changes over time. In children, motor hyperactivity and impulsivity are often more visible. In adults, disorganization, difficulty managing time, and inner restlessness tend to predominate. Assessment tools are adapted to age, but the diagnostic framework remains the same.
The process begins with an in-depth clinical interview to gather background history and the reasons for consultation. It continues with standardized rating scales completed by family members, followed by neuropsychological tests that measure attention, working memory, and executive functions. The clinical report is then presented during a results meeting held by videoconference.
Most private insurance plans cover part or all of the cost of assessments carried out by a psychologist who is a member of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec. The cost is also eligible for the federal and provincial medical expense tax credit. Exact terms vary from one plan to another and should be confirmed with your insurer before the first meeting.
No medical referral is required to consult in a private practice. Some insurers may nonetheless require one in order to reimburse fees. It is recommended that you check the terms of your plan before scheduling the first appointment.