Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
The Benefits of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessment
All psychological services, including assessments, are delivered under supervised practice.
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) assessments provide a structured and evidence-based approach to understanding attention, focus, executive functioning, and behavioral regulation. These assessments can be essential for individuals who have long struggled with inattention, impulsivity, or emotional dysregulation and are seeking clarity and direction.
ADHD is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or overlooked entirely—especially in adults, high-functioning individuals, or those with co-occurring mental health concerns. A comprehensive assessment can bring meaningful insight and help guide the path forward.
Key Benefits of ADHD Assessment
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Clarifying Diagnosis: An ADHD assessment can help confirm or rule out the presence of ADHD, distinguishing it from other conditions that may present similarly (such as anxiety, depression, or trauma-related responses). This clarity can be a powerful first step toward effective support.
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Understanding Executive Functioning: The assessment process evaluates attention span, impulse control, working memory, task initiation, and emotional regulation—key aspects of executive functioning. This information provides a deeper understanding of how your brain works.
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Validation and Self-Awareness: Many individuals experience a sense of relief and validation during the assessment process. For those who have felt misunderstood or blamed for difficulties with focus or follow-through, a diagnosis can offer a new, compassionate lens through which to view their experience.
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Customized Treatment Planning: Whether it’s therapy, coaching, medication, or environmental modifications, assessment results guide personalized recommendations that align with your strengths and support your areas of difficulty.
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Academic and Workplace Accommodations: For students and working professionals, assessment results can support formal accommodation requests (e.g., extended time, reduced distractions, or flexible deadlines), ensuring a more level playing field in school or work environments.
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Insight into Co-Occurring Conditions: ADHD frequently co-occurs with other mental health concerns. A comprehensive assessment can identify patterns of overlap and help prioritize treatment needs in a holistic and nuanced way.
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Support with Life Transitions: Assessment can be particularly helpful during key life transitions—starting university, navigating a career, or parenting. Understanding how ADHD shows up in daily life can foster better planning, coping strategies, and communication skills.
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Family and Relationship Understanding: ADHD affects not just the individual, but often their close relationships. Assessment results can improve communication and empathy within families or couples by offering a shared understanding of behavior patterns and neurological differences.
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Managing Impulsivity and Emotional Dysregulation: Many individuals with ADHD struggle with intense emotions and acting on impulse. A formal assessment can help pinpoint these patterns and connect you with targeted treatment approaches—such as cognitive-behavioral strategies, emotional regulation skills, or medication options—that directly address these challenges.
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Assessment Report and Formal Diagnosis: Comprehensive psychological assessments are conducted under supervised practice in accordance with the standards of the College of Psychologists Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO). Assessment findings are synthesized into a formal psychological report, suitable for integration into broader care plans.



Cost
Psychological Assessment Fee: $1,400 CAD.
Services are tax-exempt under psychological healthcare provisions in Canada.
This flat-rate fee includes a comprehensive assessment process delivered under supervised practice, designed to provide clarity, diagnostic insight, and personalized recommendations.
These psychological services are available only to individuals residing in Canada.
Insurance Reimbursement
ADHD assessments are typically covered under extended health benefits as part of "Psychological Assessment Services." Most insurance plans in Canada include annual coverage for services provided by an independently licensed or supervised psychological professional.
Please check with your insurance provider to confirm the following:
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Whether psychological assessments are included in your plan.
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The total amount of coverage available per calendar year, so you know your budget.
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If a referral from a physician is required for reimbursement.
An insurance receipt will be provided for you to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
What's Included
This is a flat-rate fee for a comprehensive psychological assessment, designed to provide diagnostic clarity, personalized recommendations, and actionable insights to support treatment, education, or daily functioning.
The full assessment process typically includes four sessions, offered in-person or virtually (within Canada), and involves:
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Clinical Interviews: Gathering relevant history, concerns, and psychosocial context.
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Structured Diagnostic Interviewing: Tools such as the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in adults (DIVA) and other validated psychological assessment instruments.
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Psychological Testing: Standardized measures targeting attention, memory, mood, emotional regulation, and executive functioning.
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Collateral Input (if applicable): With your consent, information may be gathered from family, partners, or educators to enhance diagnostic accuracy
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Interpretation and Integration: Synthesizing findings into a meaningful understanding of your strengths and areas of challenge
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Comprehensive Written Report: Includes diagnostic impressions, DSM-5-TR formulation, formal diagnosis, and tailored recommendations
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Professional Oversight: All assessment findings, reports, and diagnostic impressions are reviewed and co-signed by a registered member of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario, in accordance with regulatory requirements for supervised practice.
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Feedback Session: A collaborative review of results and planning for next steps
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Collaborative Care: With your written consent, assessment findings and reports can be securely shared with regulated healthcare professionals (e.g., physicians, psychiatrists, or other specialists) to support coordinated treatment planning and medical decision-making.
What is ADHD?

Core Symptoms
Understanding ADHD—Beyond the Stereotypes
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts attention, impulse control, and activity regulation. The condition typically begins in childhood and may continue into adolescence and adulthood, often presenting differently across the lifespan.
- ADHD is caused by differences in brain development and function, particularly in areas related to executive functioning. These differences can influence how individuals manage focus, follow through on tasks, regulate emotions, and organize their daily lives. ADHD is not the result of laziness, lack of motivation, or low intelligence.
- The presentation of ADHD can vary widely. Some individuals primarily struggle with inattention, while others experience more challenges related to hyperactivity and impulsivity. Many individuals experience a combination of both types of symptoms.
- Common symptoms include difficulty sustaining attention, frequent forgetfulness, disorganization, impulsive decision-making, restlessness, and challenges with emotional regulation. These symptoms can significantly affect academic performance, workplace functioning, relationships, and overall well-being.
- ADHD often co-occurs with other mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, learning disorders, or sleep difficulties, which can complicate the clinical picture and delay diagnosis.
How is ADHD Assessed?
A Step-by-Step Look at the Evaluation Process
- A comprehensive ADHD assessment involves multiple data sources to ensure an accurate and well-rounded understanding of attention and executive functioning.
- The process begins with a clinical interview to explore developmental history, current concerns, and functional impact across school, work, and relationships.
- A structured diagnostic interview—such as the DIVA 2.0—is used to assess ADHD symptoms across the lifespan, including childhood and adult presentations.
- Clients complete standardized self-report questionnaires that evaluate attention, impulsivity, emotional regulation, and related symptoms.
- When appropriate, observer reports from parents, partners, or other informants are gathered (with consent) to provide collateral input and cross-validate symptoms in multiple settings.
- Cognitive and executive functioning tests may be included to assess working memory, processing speed, attention span, and problem-solving skills.
- The assessment also screens for co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or learning disorders, which can overlap or mask ADHD symptoms.
- All data is carefully integrated into a comprehensive psychological report that includes diagnostic impressions, treatment recommendations, and next steps for care.
- Assessments are reviewed and co-signed by a registered member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario if the assessor is in supervised practice.
