ADHD and ADD are both common acronyms for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The current diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5 define three types of ADHD: 1) the inattentive presentation; 2) the hyperactive-impulsive type; and 3) the combined type. ADHD is characterized by disrupted attention span and focus, and bursts of hyperactivity. ADHD can often involve problems with executive functioning as well.
Executive functions refer to the group of brain activities and neurological activities that make it possible for us to perform numerous tasks like focusing, organizing our thoughts, understanding our environment, and accessing short-term memory. When the mind fails to effectively control this group of functions, an individual’s safety, health, and productivity can all falter, making it difficult to lead a fulfilling life. Problems can be evident in school, at home, and socially.
Children who are experiencing symptoms of ADHD often struggle in school and exhibit behavioral challenges related to the impairment of their executive functioning. If you suspect that your child might be experiencing the symptoms of ADHD, the first step you should consider is assessment.
Some symptoms of ADHD that might warrant assessment include (but are not limited to):
There are a variety of other disorders that have symptoms that mimic or overlap those of ADHD. Thus, to rule out other causes, a full testing battery is completed. This battery is specific to the situation, but may include some of the following.
One of the most common tools we use at Northern Colorado Assessment Center to test specifically for ADHD is the Continuous Performance Test (or the CPT). The CPT evaluates the child’s ability to sort through information for relevant details and stay focused on a particular task. It is administered via computer and measures focus, patience, and task management.
Parents will be interviewed and asked to provide our team of psychologists with a great deal of information about the child to help us make the most accurate assessment possible. It is important to get information about medical, developmental, social, school, and home histories. This helps us as we look for comorbidities and in ruling out other causes for the behaviors/symptoms. Any educational reports or previous testing your child has completed with educators, teachers, or counselors will be important to provide to help us contextualize your child’s symptoms and needs.
Rating scales to be completed by parents, teachers, and the child (when possible) will be assigned. These allow behaviors of the child to be compared to norms based on age.
Cognitive and academic testing may also be administered. If you are interested in learning more about ADHD testing for your child or would like to schedule an appointment at our office in Fort Collins, CO, contact us today!
ADHD testing is a structured process designed to understand your child’s attention, behavior, and overall functioning across settings. It involves more than a single test and looks at the full picture.
The process typically includes:
After testing is complete:
The goal of the process is not just to determine whether ADHD is present, but to understand your child’s unique strengths and challenges and provide clear next steps.
Children with ADHD often show patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that go beyond typical childhood behavior. While every child is different, some common signs to look for include:
It is important to note that many children show these behaviors occasionally. With ADHD, symptoms tend to be persistent, occur in multiple settings such as home and school, and interfere with daily functioning.
If you have concerns, a comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether ADHD or another factor may be affecting your child.
An ADHD evaluation can be valuable because it provides practical insight into how your child learns, focuses, and manages daily demands. Rather than simply giving a label, testing helps identify what is getting in the way and what will actually help.
Families often walk away with:
Testing can also help identify whether ADHD is the primary concern or if other factors, such as anxiety, learning differences, or stress, are playing a role.
For many families, the biggest benefit is having clear direction and tools they can start using right away.
The full ADHD evaluation process typically takes a few weeks from the initial appointment to receiving results. The exact timeline can vary depending on scheduling, the type of assessment, and how quickly information is gathered.
In general, the process includes:
From start to finish, most families can expect the process to take several weeks. This allows time for a thorough, thoughtful evaluation and meaningful recommendations.
It is common for parents and teachers to have different perspectives. Teacher input is important, but it is only one part of understanding a child’s overall functioning. Children often show different behaviors depending on the setting, expectations, and level of structure.
If concerns continue, it can help to:
You do not need full agreement from the school to seek answers. If concerns are ongoing or impacting daily life, an evaluation can help clarify what your child needs and guide next steps for both home and school.
Yes. A comprehensive ADHD evaluation is designed to look beyond a single diagnosis and understand the full picture of a child’s functioning.
ADHD symptoms can overlap with other concerns, so testing helps to:
Rather than assuming one cause, a thorough evaluation looks at multiple areas to ensure the most accurate understanding and the most effective plan moving forward.
If an evaluation does not indicate ADHD, it does not mean your concerns are invalid. It means the challenges may be better explained by something else, or that more information is needed over time.
In many cases, testing helps to:
It is also possible for challenges to become more noticeable as children get older and expectations increase.
If difficulties persist, follow-up evaluation or additional support may be recommended. The goal is to continue building understanding and finding strategies that help your child succeed.
At Northern Colorado Assessment Center, evaluation results are typically provided within a few weeks after testing is completed. This timeline allows our clinicians to carefully review and integrate all aspects of the assessment.
Our process includes:
Once the report is complete:
This process is designed to provide not just answers, but meaningful direction and tools you can use moving forward.
A comprehensive evaluation can be very helpful when seeking school supports, but it does not automatically guarantee eligibility for a 504 Plan or IEP. Schools use their own criteria to determine qualification.
That said, evaluation results often provide:
In general:
A 504 Plan provides accommodations that help a child access the general education curriculum
An IEP (Individualized Education Program) provides specialized instruction and more intensive support
Even with strong evaluation results, the school team will review multiple sources of information before determining eligibility. For many families, the biggest benefit of testing is having clear, detailed information that helps advocate effectively and ensures the right supports are considered.
In most cases, both parents are not required to be present for the evaluation or parent interview. One parent or primary caregiver can typically provide enough information to complete the process.
That said, when possible, having input from both parents can be helpful because:
If both parents are unable to attend, there are still options:
The goal of the evaluation is to understand your child as fully as possible, and providers can be flexible in how parent input is collected.
If your child is struggling with focus, impulsivity, or hyperactivity that’s affecting their daily life, getting accurate answers is the first step toward meaningful support. Comprehensive ADHD testing in Fort Collins, CO provides the diagnostic clarity needed to understand your child’s challenges, rule out other conditions, and create a personalized plan for school accommodations and treatment. Contact Northern Colorado Assessment Center today by phone, email, or through our secure online form to schedule your child’s evaluation and help them reach their full potential. Get started in three simple steps:
Complete our secure contact form to discuss your child’s attention, behavior, or school struggles and schedule their ADHD evaluation
Partner with our skilled psychologists who use comprehensive testing tools like the CPT to accurately diagnose ADHD and rule out other conditions
Get clear diagnostic results and actionable recommendations for school accommodations, treatment options, and strategies to help your child succeed
In addition to helping families understand and address ADHD symptoms through comprehensive testing, Northern Colorado Assessment Center offers a full spectrum of diagnostic services for children and adults. We provide ADHD Testing for Adults, Autism Testing for Adults, Autism Testing for Children, Psychoeducational Testing, Psychological Testing, Neuropsychological Evaluations, Bariatric Pre-Surgical Psychological Evaluations, Fitness for Duty Evaluations, and Spinal Cord Stimulator Pre-Surgical Psychological Evaluations. Explore our blog for detailed information about each service and resources to support your family’s assessment journey.
We understand that recent news coverage around government tracking of autism diagnoses may be concerning. Please know that your privacy is our top priority. Under HIPAA, your health information – including any diagnoses – is fully protected. There have been no changes to privacy laws, and we are not required to report autism or any other diagnoses to the government. We will continue to safeguard your personal information with the highest standards of confidentiality and care.
If any changes to the law occur, we will immediately communicate with our clients and advocate on your behalf. In the meantime, your trust and privacy remain secure with us.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us directly. We are here for you.
