ADHD Testing
in Oswego, IL
Is Inattentiveness, Impulsivity, And/Or Hyperactivity Creating Obstacles In Your Life?
Are you a parent who needs help understanding why your child is having such a difficult time—whether it’s ADHD, a mental health issue, or just a phase? Do they have trouble with:
Paying attention, staying on task, getting prepared, or following directions?
Sitting still, remaining in their seat, resisting the urge to jump or climb on everything?
Waiting their turn in conversations, staying quiet in class, or thinking before they act?
Perhaps your child is super creative, intelligent, and passionate, so you don’t understand why their grades are slipping or they’re acting out in class.
Or maybe you’re hoping ADHD testing can give your teen a clear diagnosis that will open up accommodations that could help them thrive both in school and in life.
Living With ADHD As An Adult Doesn’t Necessarily Mean It’s Easier
After all, you’ve got the weight of the world balanced on your shoulders as you navigate obstacles that others can’t even see. You may lose track of things easily—your keys, wallet, even time—making you chronically late or slow to perform tasks.
Work performance often suffers because you can’t focus. Dreams go unfulfilled from a lack of sustained interest. Relationships can falter as partners feel unheard or frustrated by frequent mood swings. There are just so many ways in which ADHD can infiltrate daily life—but there is hope.
At Waterford Counseling Services, we offer thorough psychodiagnostic testing for ADHD in children (6+ who are able to read at grade level), teens, and adults designed to give you clarity you need to find the support you deserve. We can help you better understand symptoms and present a clear diagnosis while ruling out other possibilities, helping to inform treatment further down the road.
ADHD Doesn’t Concern Itself With Age, Gender, or Background
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a common developmental condition that affects people from all walks of life, with symptoms typically emerging during childhood. As of 2022, approximately 11.4 percent of U.S. children (7.1 million) aged 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD (Danielson et al, 2022).Among adults, a 2023 survey indicated that roughly six percent of U.S. adults (15.5 million) have a current diagnosis, with demand for ADHD testing growing significantly (Danielson et al., 2024). What’s more, 30 percent of people with ADHD experience co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety disorders, so this is a prevalent issue that has a broad and complex impact.
Why Are Our ADHD Evaluations So Beneficial?
Our ADHD assessments are extremely beneficial because they provide diagnostic clarification so that you know exactly what you’re really dealing with. We’re able to differentiate ADHD from conditions with overlapping symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, sleep disturbances, and learning disorders—a critical distinction for effective treatment planning.
Because of the diagnostic accuracy it provides, ADHD testing is increasingly being used within the context of academics, the professional world, and high-demand environments. They can guide effective and individualized treatment, provide access to necessary accommodations, and promote meaningful improvements in functioning, mental health, and overall life satisfaction.
Why Not Just Wait Out ADHD—And See If It Improves On Its Own?
Without an ADHD evaluation, individuals commonly face misdiagnosis, especially children who can be seen as defiant or lazy when, really, they’re dealing with something quite profound.
A lack of clarity can complicate treatment, minimize access to accommodations, and result in ineffective coping strategies that do more harm than good. At the same time, it can perpetuate emotional distress, relationship stress, and an ongoing cycle of confusion and self-blame.
Instead of trying to hit a half-concealed bullseye that’s constantly moving, an assessment provides clarity, validation, and a treatment plan that targets the real issue.
What You Can Hope To Take Away From ADHD Testing
Getting an ADHD evaluation helps you move from uncertainty and coping through trial and error to a clear, evidence-based understanding of how your brain works. That, in turn, allows for targeted, efficient, and often life-changing interventions.
Rather than focusing only on symptoms, we examine patterns across development, cognition, behavior, and daily functioning, producing a roadmap for treatment and support.
As we transform confusing, frustrating experiences into specific, understandable, and treatable patterns, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your challenges. You’ll discover your strengths—and you’ll gain access to resources and additional supports for making life a little easier all around.
Some Of The ADHD Assessments We Provide At Waterford Counseling
When screening for ADHD in children and adults, we use a comprehensive set of evaluations to inform our understanding of how ADHD affects you specifically. These tests will also help us identify any co-occurring conditions as well as possible treatment options. Some of the assessments we use include:
Behavioral Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-3) - Self-Report Scale, Parent Scale, Teacher Scale (What are parents and teachers seeing?)
Behavioral Assessment System for Children, Second Edition- Structured Developmental History
Conners-3; Self-Report Scale, Parent Scale, Teacher Scale
Test of Variables of Attention-Visual and Auditory (TOVA)
Symptoms Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R)
Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWA)
Beck Depression Inventory
Structured Developmental History
Initial Assessment Interview
Mood Disorder Inventory
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21-(DASS21)
Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-vI.I) Symptom Checklist
Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA 2.0)
ADHD often manifests differently between age groups. For instance, adults frequently have more trouble with inattentiveness than hyperactivity and impulsiveness, so some tests are designed specifically for kids while others are for adults. We’ll take these differences into consideration during testing, ensuring that the evaluation process is personalized for you.
What You Need To Know About Our Three-Step Testing Process
First, all tests are done on-site over the course of three sessions, and all testing is done at our Oswego office. There’s no need to bring or change anything, so if you (or your child) are on medication, treat this like any other day.
We’ll use the first session to gather some information and begin the testing phase (approximately two hours total). That includes testing to determine the presence of ADHD and to tease out the type, like a Conners or BASC-2 depending on the client. With children, we’ll provide parents with self-report assessments that they can fill out in-office or at home.
The second session is dedicated solely to testing (approximately one hour) where we will look at any contributing factors, such as anxiety or depression. We’ll also determine the type of ADHD the client is presenting—whether it’s characterized by hyperactivity, inattentiveness, impulsivity, or some combination of the three.
Concluding the Testing Process
The third session is designated as the feedback session. Our staff will notify you by text, phone or email to schedule the feedback session where we can go over the results, discuss treatment options, and develop an action plan.
We’ll let you know what kind of additional resources are available and how you can talk to HR or teachers about ADHD and accommodations. Using the results, we can even tell you which therapy options are best-suited for your situation. We can connect you with one of our own therapists trained in an eclectic array of evidence-based therapeutic strategies—or find someone outside of our practice.
Although we do not prescribe medication, we would be happy to refer you to a physician or psychiatrist who can, but the choice is always yours.
ADHD Testing Can Be A Game-Changer
An ADHD assessment is not about labels or finding something ‘wrong’ with you or your child. It’s about finally understanding how your brain works and why things have always felt harder than they should.
For many people, getting their results becomes the moment when years of self-doubt, frustration, and feeling misunderstood start to make sense. Being able to accept yourself for who you are, finding ways to cope that actually work, and just knowing what you are dealing with can transform your life in ways that you simply won’t believe.
Still Have Questions Or Concerns About ADHD Testing?
What if I’m judged, labeled, or told nothing is wrong with me?
Many people worry they will be seen as lazy, unintelligent, or “just making excuses.” Others fear the opposite—that their struggles will be dismissed and they’ll be left without answers. However, the purpose of our evaluations is understanding, never judgment. We look at strengths as well as challenges with the understanding that what you are going through is real and you deserve validation and support.
What if the results change how I see myself—or how others see me?
The truth is, a quality ADHD assessment provides kids and adults with language for self-advocacy, access to resources, and a more compassionate, accurate self-view.
So, it very well may change how you see yourself—but in the best way. You’ll finally know yourself, what’s at the root of your struggles, and what you can do to take advantage of your strengths, overcome challenges, and start living the way you were meant to.
What if the ADHD testing process is too overwhelming?
Our staff understands ADHD can make even small tasks feel overwhelming, so we’re always mindful of our clients’ comfort level, especially when working with kids and teens. Even though the ADHD evaluation process may feel intimidating, with the information and support you’ll receive, daily life can get much more manageable.
You’ll find a clear path toward treatment. You’ll be equipped with personalized recommendations and documentation for accommodations. And you’ll finally feel less stressed and self-conscious, knowing you have what you need to navigate life with ADHD in the long term.
Let Us Help You Find The Clarity And Support You Deserve
At Waterford Counseling Services, we would consider it an honor to help you better understand, manage, and treat ADHD. If you’re looking for comprehensive answers and support, we encourage you to contact us. One of our staff members will field any questions you have and schedule a time to meet when you’re ready.
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