What Is ADHD Assessment?
A comprehensive ADHD assessment evaluates attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and executive function through standardized psychological testing. Our assessments go beyond simple checklists to provide a thorough understanding of how attention differences affect daily life, learning, and relationships.
We use evidence-based assessment tools recommended by the Canadian Psychological Association, combined with clinical interviews, behavioural observations, and collateral information from teachers and family members.
In Canada, a clinical ADHD diagnosis differs from school-based identification. Schools may note attention concerns, but they cannot formally diagnose ADHD. A psychoeducational or psychological assessment by a registered psychologist provides a clinical diagnosis recognized by physicians, insurance providers, and government programs. This matters when seeking medication consultation, workplace accommodations, or Disability Tax Credit eligibility.
Our assessments follow Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) practice guidelines, which recommend a multi-method, multi-informant approach. This means we gather information from multiple sources and use several different types of measures, rather than relying on a single test or checklist.
Signs You May Need Assessment
- Difficulty sustaining attention during tasks or conversations
- Frequently loses things necessary for daily activities
- Often fidgets, squirms, or feels restless
- Difficulty organizing tasks, managing time, and meeting deadlines
- Frequently makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or at work
- Avoids or is reluctant to engage in tasks requiring sustained mental effort
- Often interrupts others or has difficulty waiting their turn
- Struggles to follow through on instructions or finish tasks
Recognize these signs?
Book a free phone consultation to discuss your concerns and learn if an ADHD assessment is right for you or your child.
ADHD in Girls and Women
ADHD is significantly under-identified in girls and women. Research shows that girls are diagnosed at roughly half the rate of boys, not because ADHD is less common in girls, but because it often presents differently.
Girls with ADHD are more likely to show the inattentive presentation rather than the hyperactive-impulsive presentation. Instead of disruptive behaviour, they may daydream, lose track of conversations, or struggle quietly with organization and time management. Many girls develop coping strategies early, such as relying heavily on routines, working much harder than peers to achieve the same results, or masking difficulties with social skills.
These coping strategies can be effective in childhood but often break down during life transitions, such as starting high school, entering post-secondary education, or taking on new responsibilities at work. The increased demand for self-directed planning and time management can overwhelm strategies that worked in more structured environments.
By the time many women seek assessment, they have experienced years of anxiety, burnout, or low self-esteem that may have been misattributed to depression or anxiety alone. A thorough ADHD assessment can reveal the underlying attention differences driving these experiences and open the door to strategies that actually address the root cause.
Executive Function & Memory Assessment
Executive function and memory challenges are core features of ADHD, but they can also occur independently. Our comprehensive ADHD assessment includes detailed evaluation of executive function skills including working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning, organization, and inhibitory control.
Standalone executive function assessment. Some individuals experience significant executive dysfunction without meeting full criteria for ADHD. This can affect academic performance, work productivity, and daily living skills. We can evaluate executive function as part of a broader cognitive assessment, whether or not ADHD is suspected.
Memory assessment. Memory difficulties frequently accompany ADHD and other conditions. Our assessment measures working memory, long-term retrieval, and processing speed to identify specific memory-related challenges and recommend targeted strategies. Memory assessment can help distinguish between attention-related memory difficulties and other causes of forgetfulness.
Post-concussion overlap. Attention and executive function difficulties after a concussion or other medical event can look similar to ADHD. If your cognitive concerns began after a head injury, stroke, or other medical event, our [neuropsychological assessment](/assessments/neuropsychological) may be more appropriate to determine whether symptoms reflect ADHD, post-concussion effects, or both.
Our 3-Step Process
Initial Consultation
Free phone call to discuss your concerns, review history, and determine if assessment is appropriate. We answer all your questions and explain what to expect.
Assessment Sessions
Comprehensive testing over 2-3 visits, including standardized cognitive and attention measures, behavioural rating scales, clinical interview, and review of school or work records.
Feedback and Report
Detailed written report with clear diagnostic conclusions, personalized recommendations for home, school, or work, and a feedback session to discuss results and next steps.
Ready to take the next step?
Our assessment process starts with a free 15-minute phone call. No referral needed.
What You Will Learn
- Whether ADHD is present and, if so, which presentation (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined)
- How attention and executive function strengths and challenges affect daily life
- Whether co-occurring conditions (anxiety, learning disabilities, giftedness) are present
- Specific, actionable recommendations for school accommodations, workplace strategies, and daily life
- Referral pathways for medication consultation, coaching, or therapy if appropriate
- Your working memory and long-term retrieval profile, and how memory affects daily functioning
- Detailed executive function findings including planning, organization, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control
After Your Assessment
Detailed Report
Comprehensive written report with diagnostic conclusions, cognitive profile, and evidence-based recommendations for home, school, or work.
Medication Referral Pathways
Clinical documentation for your family doctor or psychiatrist to discuss medication options, plus referrals to physicians experienced with ADHD.
School and Workplace Accommodations
Specific accommodation recommendations recognized by Ontario school boards, colleges, universities, and employers, including extended time and assistive technology.
Government Program Documentation
Reports that support applications for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), OSAP disability grants, and workplace accommodation requests under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Post-secondary transition support. Students entering college or university face a significant shift in structure. Unlike high school, post-secondary programs expect students to manage their own schedules, track assignment deadlines independently, and seek help proactively. For students with ADHD, this shift can be especially challenging. Our reports include recommendations tailored to post-secondary accessibility services, helping students register for supports before the academic year begins.
Workplace strategies. Adults with ADHD often perform well in roles that align with their strengths but struggle with administrative tasks, long meetings, or projects requiring sustained focus without variety. Our assessment identifies specific workplace patterns and provides practical strategies, such as task chunking, external accountability structures, and environmental modifications that employers can put in place under their duty to accommodate.
Coaching and skill-building. ADHD coaching focuses on practical strategies for organization, time management, and task completion. We can refer you to ADHD coaches and therapists who specialize in executive function support.
Virtual follow-up available. We offer virtual follow-up consultations for Ontario residents who need support putting recommendations into practice or navigating next steps.
