Finding ADHD testing can feel overwhelming—wanting an accurate diagnosis, understanding the process, worrying “what if they don’t believe me?” or if “I can remember everything I need to share…” We break down exactly what to expect from ADHD testing in Columbus, Ohio in 2025.
What Are the Symptoms of ADHD?
The best way to explore an ADHD diagnosis is to start by reviewing the symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). If you have ADHD, you’re likely going to relate very strongly to the following criteria:
Inattention:
- Overlooking small details: misreading emails; making grammatical errors; “careless mistakes”
- Zoning out in conversation: not responding when spoken to directly; realizing you haven’t been listening
- Getting easily sidetracked: spending short periods of time focusing on one task before getting distracted by something else
- Not following through on instructions or tasks: not finishing tasks; getting only “90%” completed of a project
- Difficulty organizing tasks and activities: missing deadlines; struggling to keep your personal space in order; “losing steam” on building organizational systems; ending up with “organized chaos”
- Losing things often: misplacing personal items needed for tasks or activities; forgetting meetings and other appointments
- Avoiding tasks that require sustained mental effort: Disliking or avoiding tasks where you need to pay additional attention or focus for a longer period of time, like homework or paperwork
Hyperactivity:
- Fidgeting and restlessness: fidgeting hands or feet; squirming in a chair
- Leaving a seat often (unable to sit still): pacing; feeling like you have to get up; literally getting up and walking around in situations where sitting is the expectation
- Struggling to play or sit still quietly: not being able to participate in quiet leisure activities
- Being constantly “on the go”: feeling (and looking) to be driven by a motor
- Excessive talking: talking excessively, oversharing, finishing other people’s sentences
ADHD symptoms always begin in childhood and follow a chronic course into adult life. Keep in mind, some people cope with ADHD very well growing up. So even if you did well in school, you might still have ADHD.
What are Executive Functions?
ADHD impacts the brain’s executive functions–a set of processes in the brain that regulate attention and energize you to complete tasks. This is different from our automatic functions (like breathing and walking), which happen without us having to set intentions and consciously follow through on them. The prefrontal cortex region of the brain is like the brain’s CEO. And in the ADHD brain, executive functions come online inconsistently. For this reason, people with ADHD often struggle to meet goals consistently. Instead, you lose interest, restart, change careers/jobs/hobbies/etc. Overall, ADHD impacts your ability to regulate yourself toward future goals.
How To Get ADHD Testing?
A good first step is taking an ADHD quiz online. While not a diagnosis, an ADHD quiz can be a validating way of confirming the existence of an issue with your attention span. A more thorough ADHD test would then be required to ensure it was truly due to ADHD.
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
Diagnosing adult clients with ADHD can be a complex process, as adult clients have often learned to mask their symptoms over the years.
- ADHD testing starts with an initial phone consultation to discuss your concerns and learn about the ADHD testing process
- Research shows the most accurate ADHD diagnosis comes from evaluating for ADHD (rather than an evaluation for every possible mental health issue).
- An ADHD evaluation should take 2-3 hours and can be completed in one morning or afternoon
- To be considered a legitimate ADHD evaluation, it should consist of three parts: 1) informant rating scales (completed by someone who knows you well); 2) several self-report rating scales (one is not enough); 3) a diagnostic interview; 4) neuropsychological objective testing (such as a Continuous Performance Test) should always be included to ensure there is an “objective testing” measure
- A feedback session, including a formal diagnosis, along with the type of ADHD, severity of ADHD symptoms, and tailored treatment recommendations that fit your unique life
- Referrals and follow-up: developing a plan and discussing how to start therapy or meet with a prescriber for medication if desired
What is ADHD Testing Like for Adults?
An ADHD test for adults is different from an ADHD test for kids. Adults have a life they can reflect upon. Kids don’t have the ability (or the years lived) to reliably report the specifics of academic performance, parental relationships, and patterns across time. Second, because adults exist in so many domains where they are accountable to others, collateral reports, in addition to a self-report, are more thorough.
How is ADHD Testing for Women Unique?
Women with ADHD often face greater psychological distress and lower self-esteem than men with ADHD. This is partly because ADHD can go overlooked for years in women. Women are more commonly misdiagnosed with things like anxiety, but the underlying ADHD goes unaddressed. It takes its toll. Because of this, an accurate diagnosis not only provides clarity but also guides the most effective ways of untangling issues like overthinking, low self-worth, and people-pleasing.
What Does an ADHD Evaluation Cost?
At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, ADHD Testing takes a couple of hours and is completed in one day. Your testing specialist will use a variety of behavioral scales, neurological tests, and will collect an extensive history from you to arrive at the most accurate diagnosis possible. You’ll receive a 12-page report one week later. The total cost out of pocket for everything is $850. We can provide a superbill for out-of-network insurance reimbursement. You can also use an HSA/FSA for payment.
Can Symptoms Be Caused by Something Other Than ADHD?
Yes — ADHD-like symptoms can be caused (or worsened) by other conditions, which is one reason why getting a thorough 
evaluation is so important. However, ADHD itself has a unique set of symptoms. The challenging part is distinguishing between mental health, medical, and even situational factors that can impact focus and ADHD. Testing completed by an ADHD specialist will include a specific battery of several different tests to be sure an ADHD diagnosis is accurate.
Where Can You Get ADHD Testing?
ADHD specialty clinics are the best place to get ADHD testing. Simply Google “ADHD testing near me” for a few options. However, the key is that you’re seeing a specialist and not a general therapist. ADHD is so commonly misunderstood and overlooked, it requires a true ADHD specialist to understand the condition inside and out in order to receive an accurate diagnosis.
Key Takeaways:
- ADHD is a condition of executive functioning.
- You’re born with ADHD and start showing signs in childhood. However, ADHD symptoms can be masked in childhood, which is why specialized ADHD testing will consider this variable.
- The most accurate diagnosis for ADHD comes from an ADHD specialist who is evaluating ADHD and not every other mental health issue at the same time (although ruling out other conditions is part of ADHD testing).
Begin Adult ADHD Testing in Columbus, OH
Wondering if you have ADHD? You don’t have to live your life feeling scattered without knowing why. Comprehensive ADHD testing can help you find answers. Our Columbus, OH counseling practice has caring therapists who specialize in ADHD Treatment. To start your counseling journey, follow these simple steps:
- Fill out the contact form to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.
- Meet with one of our caring therapists.
- Stop feeling like you’re not meeting your full potential. Start getting things done.
Other ADHD Services Offered at Focused Mind ADHD Counseling
Adult ADHD testing is not the only service we offer at our Columbus, OH counseling practice. At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, we offer a variety of mental health services, including ADHD treatment. As an adult with ADHD, we know you may also benefit from anxiety treatment for ADHD, counseling for men with ADHD, ADHD-focused couples counseling, or depression counseling for ADHD. You can also view our blog for more resources and helpful info.
About the Author
Billy Roberts, LISW-S, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist and ADHD expert in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in ADD/ADHD in adults. He has been seen in Time Magazine, CNN, HuffPost, and Forbes discussing his unique approach to ADHD-focused therapy. See Full Bio.
