By MindWise HealthADHD Evaluations and Treatment
10 treatment centers 13 services offered
10 treatment centers on Curivya list ADHD Evaluations and Treatment, across Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. All of them also list telehealth appointments. Insurance accepted across these listings includes Aetna, Telus formerly Behavioral Health Systems, Cigna Evernorth Behavioral Health and Devoted Health Plans, among others. Plans differ even within one insurer, so confirm your specific plan with the practice before booking. The same locations also list Medication Management, Anxiety Treatment, Depression Treatment, PTSD and Trauma Treatment and Mood Disorder Treatment.
An ADHD evaluation looks at long-standing patterns of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity and whether they explain the difficulties you or your child are having at school, work or home. There is no single test for ADHD. A clinician gathers history, questionnaires and, for children, input from parents and teachers.
If ADHD is diagnosed, treatment can include medication, behavioral approaches such as parent training, and school or workplace supports. Evaluations are done for children, teenagers and adults, and many adults are first diagnosed later in life, sometimes after a child of their own is evaluated.
How an evaluation works
ADHD can be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional, or by a primary care provider such as a pediatrician. Because no single test confirms it, the evaluation pieces together how symptoms show up across different settings, how long they have been present, and whether something else, such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, or hearing or vision issues, could explain them.
For a child, expect rating scales for parents and teachers, and questions about development and school. For an adult, the clinician will ask about childhood as well as now, and may ask for school records or someone who knew you growing up. Afterwards, there is usually a feedback visit where the clinician explains the findings, including if the answer is not ADHD, and talks through next steps.
Treatment after a diagnosis
For children under six, the CDC recommends behavior therapy, specifically parent training in behavior management, as the first treatment. For older children, a combination of medication and behavioral support is usually recommended. Stimulant medications are the most widely used, and non-stimulant medications are also approved. Finding the right medication and dose takes some adjustment, with watching for side effects such as sleep or appetite changes.
Therapy and practical support, including organizational skills training and classroom accommodations, help with the parts of ADHD that medication does not address. For adults, therapy often targets the habits around planning, time and follow-through that years of unrecognized ADHD can leave behind.
What to ask when booking
Ask whether the practice evaluates your age group, since some see only adults or only children. Ask what the evaluation includes, how many visits it takes, and what forms to complete beforehand. Because many ADHD medications are controlled substances, ask whether in-person visits are required and how refills work. Also ask whether your plan covers the evaluation itself, which is sometimes billed differently from regular visits, and how long new patients wait.
Common questions about ADHD Evaluations and Treatment
Can adults be evaluated for ADHD?
Yes. Many adults are diagnosed after years of struggling with focus, organization or restlessness. The evaluation will ask about childhood as well as the present, because ADHD symptoms begin in childhood even when they went unrecognized.
Who can diagnose ADHD?
A psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional can, as can a primary care provider such as a pediatrician. Some practices evaluate only children or only adults, so check before booking.
Is medication the only treatment for ADHD?
No. For young children, parent training in behavior management is recommended first. For older children and adults, medication is often combined with behavioral strategies, skills training and school or workplace supports.
Can ADHD be evaluated and treated by telehealth?
Parts of an evaluation and many follow-ups can be done by video. Because stimulant medications are controlled substances, the practice may require some in-person visits, so ask before you book.
What should I bring to an ADHD evaluation?
Bring any completed questionnaires, report cards or teacher comments, past evaluations, and a list of current medications. For adults, old school records or input from a parent or partner can help.