AD/HD Evaluations (Ages 5–Adult)
Understanding attention, focus, and executive functioning
I provide comprehensive AD/HD evaluations to help clarify what’s going on and identify meaningful next steps.
When Focus and Organization Don’t Come Easily
For many families, concerns start when a child seems capable but school takes far more effort than it should. Staying seated, finishing work, managing emotions, or keeping up with expectations can feel draining, even on good days.
For adults, the questions often come later. You may have learned to compensate over time, working longer hours, relying on reminders, or pushing through constant mental noise, only to realize that staying organized, motivating to start your work, managing time, or following through is still exhausting and takes much longer than everyone around you.
When focus, impulsivity, or emotional regulation continue to interfere with daily life, an AD/HD evaluation can help clarify what’s driving those challenges and provide clear, practical direction for moving forward.
People often reach out for an AD/HD evaluation when:
- A pediatrician, psychiatrist, or other provider has recommended formal testing
- Attention, focus, or impulsivity concerns are interfering with school, work, or daily routines
- Teachers or schools have raised concerns but more information is needed
- An adult is seeking clarity around lifelong attention or executive functioning challenges
- Previous evaluations felt incomplete or pieced together
What We Might Explore
Each evaluation is tailored to the individual, but often explores:
- Attention and sustained focus
- Impulse control and emotional regulation
- Executive functioning skills such as planning, organization, and task initiation
- Working memory and processing speed
- Overlapping learning differences when relevant
- Functional impact at school, work, and home
My Approach
AD/HD is often misunderstood, especially in kids who work hard to mask challenges or adults who’ve spent years compensating without answers. I approach AD/HD evaluations with care, flexibility, and respect for lived experience.
Here’s what that looks like:
We begin with real-life attention challenges
I focus on where attention and follow-through break down across the day during transitions, sustained tasks, time management, organization, and daily routines and how those patterns affect learning, work performance, and behavior.
The process is individualized
AD/HD looks different from person to person, so testing is selected based on the concerns that matter most, without over-testing or unnecessary pressure.
Sessions are paced for comfort and accuracy.
Breaks, movement, and flexibility are built in to help ensure results reflect true abilities rather than fatigue or stress.
Your perspective matters.
Input from parents, teachers, and clients themselves is an essential part of the evaluation, alongside test data and clinical observation.
You’ll receive a strengths-based report.
Your report highlights what’s working, what’s challenging, and offers practical ways to support attention, learning, and growth.
You’ll leave with a clear roadmap.
We review results together and create a roadmap you can use at school, home, or work, clear, practical, and ready to guide next steps.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to the Evaluation
Intake Interview (Virtual)
We’ll start with a one-on-one conversation over video. This is where I’ll learn more about you (or your child), what’s been going on, what you’re hoping to figure out through testing, and how I can help guide you moving forward. We’ll also go over any forms or background information you’ve shared.
In-Person Testing
Testing takes place at my office in Richmond, and usually happens over one or two sessions. I follow your (or your child’s) lead when it comes to pacing. Some people need more breaks than others. I encourage you to bring snacks, dress comfortably, and if you need a fidget or comfort item to make the experience less stressful, go for it!
Feedback Session (Virtual)
Once testing is complete and I’ve reviewed everything, we’ll meet again by video to go over the results. I’ll walk you through the findings, talk through any diagnoses (as applicable), and share specific, realistic recommendations you can actually use at home and at school.
Roadmap Report
You’ll receive a comprehensive written report that puts everything together: scores, patterns, insights, and next steps. I write these to be understandable and practical, something you can share with teachers, therapists, or just keep for yourself. Reports are generally completed within one week of the final testing session, depending on the time of year and completion of all required materials. Results are reviewed together in a virtual appointment.
Child Feedback (Optional)
Some kids benefit from hearing about their results in a way that makes sense to them. In this optional 15-minute session, I meet with your child through a video appointment and explain things using visuals, stories, and metaphors. We talk about how their brain works, where they shine, and what tools can help, all in a way that feels kind, safe, and empowering. As an alternative, I write a letter to your kiddo with the same information/ format.
– Dr. Lee Ridens
Let’s Start With a Conversation
If you’re wondering whether testing is the right next step, let’s talk it through together.
If you simply need guidance for how to handle difficult behaviors at home, we can talk through that too!
Get Support for AD/HD Challenges
We’ll identify roadblocks to success and outline practical supports that fit daily life.