Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Offering a combination of brain-based measures, self-report, & structured interviews
to provide data-driven answers for questions about attention and impulsivity from childhood to adulthood
tailored just to you.
A world with two problems
Misdiagnosis
You go to the doctor
& fill out a six-question form
about your/your child’s symptoms.
Your doctor asks a few basic questions
…
“is it hard to focus?”
“can you sit still?”
You leave with an ADHD diagnosis
& possibly a prescription
_____________________
Months later, you aren’t noticing
improvement.
The same things are still just as
challenging.
Treatment is not working for you
and the strategies you use to
function are wearing you out.
You’re left confused
& may feel hopeless.
Underdiagnosis
You do well in school
and others say you’re “well-behaved.”
Perhaps you’re a doodler,
a quiet daydreamer
Inside you struggle to focus,
daily tasks are a struggle,
forgetfulness interrupts your life,
& you wonder
…
what’s wrong with me?
_____________________
You’re told you’re “doing too well”
to have ADHD
You’re told “it’s just anxiety”
Treatment is not working for you
and the strategies you use to
function are wearing you out.
You’re left confused
& may feel hopeless.
Comprehensive evaluation is essential to accurate ADHD diagnosis. Many disorders (like anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, traumatic brain injury, and more) have symptoms that may look like ADHD. These disorders may also occur simultaneously to ADHD. Bright individuals, women and girls, and cultural minorities with ADHD may go undiagnosed (or mislabeled with another disorder).
We are committed to data-driven answers to your real life questions. We are committed to working with you and your family to determine the correct diagnosis so that you can get treatment that is a right fit for you.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also sometimes referred to as “ADD,” is a neurodevelopmental difference that impacts many areas of life. Individuals with ADHD may experience challenges with attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, or a combination of these. ADHD begins in early childhood but sometimes is not identified until later in adolescence or adulthood when demands outpace strategies that were previously used to get by.
While diagnostic criteria focus on inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, ADHD involves much more than disorganization or lack of focus. Individuals with ADHD often experience difficulty with emotional awareness and regulation, time blindness, and a heightened sensitivity to rejection.
Many other psychological disorders share similar symptoms for ADHD. It is important to find the correct “root cause” or explanation for inattentive symptoms, as an accurate diagnosis is needed to find a treatment plan that is the right fit for you. Research shows that early intervention for ADHD can prevent serious complications later in life. An accurate ADHD diagnosis can increase self-acceptance, inform treatment planning, and allow you or your loved one to access needed supports/medication. Whether in childhood or adulthood, formal assessment is essential to provide accurate diagnoses, rule-out other potential explanations, and identify your specific strengths and vulnerabilities.
About ADHD
Common Signs of ADHD
Every individual with ADHD is unique and it is likely that you or your loved one won’t have all of these specific signs.
-
Easily distracted
Difficulty maintaining focus on non-preferred activities, even with high effort
Seems to not hear when spoken to
Skips steps in directions
Disorganization
Starts tasks but does not finish them
So focused on something that cannot shift attention away (“hyperfocus”)
Forgetting care tasks, like eating, drinking water, or using the restroom until it becomes urgent
Procrastination or avoidance of mundane, repetitive tasks/tasks that require sustained mental effort
Daydreaming
-
Talkativeness
Interrupting others or intruding on their activities, even when trying not to
Trouble sitting still
Internal feeling of restlessness
Frequent childhood injuries from highly active play
Fidgeting
Leaving your seat (or strongly desiring to) when extended seating is expected
Jumping from topic to topic, or task to task
Trouble staying quiet
Seems “driven by a motor”
Overworking
Tendency to act before thinking
“Pressured” driving - driving quickly or as if in a rush
-
Emotional dysregulation, especially after a long school or work day
Challenges initiating tasks, even when motivated to do them
Temporary improvement in mood or focus directly following intense exercise
Difficulty maintaining relationships
Heightened sensitivity to perceived rejection, or fear of rejection
Perfectionism
Rigid systems to assist with functioning
Decision paralysis
Accumulating materials for many different hobbies which are often not sustained
Sleep disturbance
Why Songbird Psychological Services?
Efficient
No long waitlists: Immediate appointments are available
Results typically provided in 2 weeks
Evidence-Based
Our experts use the most up-to-date measures with the strongest research support wherever possible
No quick check-lists or guesses; just data-driven, compassionate answers
Empathetic
We center authentic and compassionate care
Culturally responsive, affirming evaluations
What Does ADHD Testing Involve?
1) Intake Appointment
Your assessment will begin with a clinical intake. If you are an adult, this appointment will be completed by you. If the evaluation is for your child, the intake will involve a parent/caregiver clinical interview. We will gather comprehensive, trauma-informed background information and collaborate with you to determine goals for testing.
2) Testing Appointment
A typical assessment will include
3-6 hours of face-to-face comprehensive testing. This includes cognitive functioning tests, self- and other- report measures, and other assessments specific to your presenting concerns.
We do not use psychometricians. All of your testing time will be directly with our doctoral-level clinicians.
3) Feedback Session
Two weeks after your testing appointment, we will provide a feedback session to discuss the results of your assessment. Diagnoses and recommendations will be provided and you will have the opportunity to process your results and ask questions.
4) Report and Ongoing Support
After your feedback session, you will be provided with a thorough written report. This details the testing received, results, diagnoses, and recommendations. It is often used to support access to accommodations and to guide treatment planning.
Our experts remain available to you for follow-up questions, support, and advocacy as needed.
Thank you for trusting us with your care
Comprehensive Autism Evaluations serving Vancouver, WA
We are honored to serve the neurodivergent community in Vancouver, Washington, and the surrounding Southwest Washington and Portland metro area. Our neurodiversity-affirming practice provides comprehensive ADHD evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults. We are passionate about providing accessible, high-quality psychological care that celebrates differences while supporting vulnerabilities, and creates space for lasting change through evidence-based treatment.
Our office is conveniently located in downtown Vancouver, WA, just off I-5, making it easy to access from Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, Salmon Creek, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, and Portland, Oregon. Free parking is available in the building parking lot. For clients traveling from Salem, Oregon or Olympia, Washington, we are happy to do our best to accommodate the long travel distance with single-day testing appointments when possible, virtual intakes, and virtual feedback sessions as requested. Whether you're seeking an adult ADHD assessment or a child ADHD evaluation, we are committed to providing thoughtful, evidence-based evaluations in a welcoming and supportive environment. If you or your child requires specific sensory accommodations, please let us know prior to your appointment.