adult ADHD & ASD diagnosis
ADHD isn't just distraction, poor grades or behavior problems. It's bumpy emotions, procrastinating, perfectionism, anxiety and difficulty relaxing, and not-deep-down convinced that we're actually the worst.
ASD isn't stereotypes of stimming, social awkwardness, meltdowns or special interests. It's another neurodiversity that is important to support so that you can thrive.
A professional diagnosis can give permission to start working with yourself, with understanding of what was never broken - just different - about you.
ADHD is diagnosed worldwide at at around 8% of children and 2.58-6.76% of adults. It's not an 'American' or 'rich white' disorder, and it's not poor parenting, failure of self-discipline or just being a thoughtless, impulsive jerk (or whatever you call yourself).
Kids with ADHD usually hear thousands of negative or correcting comments by the time they’re 10 years old. Autistm is often missed in high-functioning kids, or if parents were unaware of the benefits of early supports for a child with neurodiversity. If you weren’t diagnosed and supported as a child, you’ve probably got some history that you’d rather not have - but as an adult, you have an option to take care of yourself in a different way.
You probably don’t need a psychologist to do a full battery neuropsychological evaluation - those usually include IQ testing, language/motor/sensory evaluation, and other things that aren’t related to an ADHD or ASD diagnosis in adulthood. (Schools and parents want these for young kids, to provide the correct supports for learning.) I offer a focused clinical interview with appropriate assessments for adults who suspect they have ADHD or ASD, as it is currently defined by the DSM-5-TR.
How does this work?
We can do this online or in person. The cost is $500.
I spend two-ish hours asking you questions about childhood and now, what’s hard and what your experiences are. Standardized assessments (tests & questionnaires) related to ADHD and/or ASD, executive functioning and other relevant areas come next, and then I contact and talk with people who’ve known you for years to get an outsider’s perspective of you.
All of this information goes into a 17-20 page report. You can take this detailed report to your doctor or psychiatrist, who usually appreciates the thorough interviews and assessments, in order to prescribe medications. I’ll also suggest other ways you can learn about ADHD or ASD, and your particular quirks and needs, resources and habit changes for stability and more effective day-to-day living.
I do this to help you get to know your brain & behavior habits, to realistically manage the person you are, and because I believe you - that it is actually as hard as it has seemed for as long as you can remember. So many fantastic humans who I know and love have ADHD or ASD, and you deserve the support that’s been missing to relax, move forward and thrive.
Curious if you might have ADHD? Give this screening assessment a try & let me know what stands out or what your total score is. (This is NOT a diagnosis, only a brief screening tool.)
Professional lingo bit: During my graduate program at Brenau University (2018, Masters in Clinical Counseling Psychology) I obtained a specialization in assessment. This additional elective training includes completion and teaching assistantship in graduate-level courses in tests and measurement which LPCs do not ordinarily obtain during their coursework. Combined with my LPC license in GA, these qualify me, in accordance with licensing guidelines of the State of Georgia, OCGA Rules 135-12-.01 and 135-12-.02.(1), and allow me to administer & interpret appropriate assessments, diagnose, and provide treatment recommendations based on clinical diagnostic interview and assessment results.
by appointment - 9am-3 pm weekdays
105 Whitehead Road #6 Athens GA 30606
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