Children with ADHD do not always appear hyperactive. Some struggle quietly with attention, organization, working memory, emotional regulation or completing work efficiently.
Bright Future Psychology provides private ADHD evaluations for children and teens in Naples and Southwest Florida. Evaluations examine attention and executive functioning while considering learning, memory, emotional, behavioral and developmental factors that may produce similar difficulties.
Virtual and in-person evaluation options are available depending on the child’s age, assessment measures, referral questions and documentation needs.
Appointments are generally available within 1–2 weeks. Written reports are typically completed approximately one week after testing.
Consider an evaluation when your child:
• Has difficulty sustaining attention
• Requires frequent reminders or redirection
• Starts assignments but does not finish them
• Takes much longer than expected to complete homework
• Frequently loses books, assignments or personal belongings
• Forgets instructions or daily responsibilities
• Makes avoidable mistakes despite understanding the material
• Has difficulty organizing schoolwork or managing time
• Acts impulsively or interrupts frequently
• Has difficulty remaining seated when expected
• Experiences emotional outbursts or low frustration tolerance
• Performs inconsistently from one day to another
• Appears capable but is not meeting their academic potential
• Has difficulty transitioning between activities
• Struggles during lengthy or timed examinations
These concerns do not automatically indicate ADHD. Anxiety, autism, learning disabilities, sleep problems, depression, trauma, language differences and other conditions can produce similar symptoms.
A careful ADHD evaluation examines symptoms across settings and considers alternative explanations.
Depending on the child’s age and referral questions, assessment may include:
• Attention and sustained concentration
• Impulsivity and response control
• Working memory
• Processing speed
• Planning and organization
• Cognitive flexibility
• Emotional regulation
• Behavioral functioning
• Cognitive abilities and reasoning
• Learning and memory
• Academic achievement
• Reading, writing and mathematics
• Developmental, medical and educational history
• Parent observations
• Teacher observations when available
• Previous services, interventions and accommodations
No single questionnaire or computer task can diagnose ADHD. Conclusions are based on the complete pattern of history, observations, test findings and information from relevant settings.
Focused ADHD Evaluation — $1,700
This option is designed for children and teens whose primary concern is attention or possible ADHD and whose presentation does not appear to require an extensive learning or neuropsychological evaluation.
It generally includes:
• Parent interview and developmental history
• Review of available educational and clinical records
• Parent and teacher rating scales when available
• Targeted attention and executive-function testing
• Behavioral observations
• Diagnostic conclusions when supported
• Individualized recommendations
• Feedback consultation
• Written psychological report
Direct testing generally takes approximately 1–2 hours, although the total time may vary according to the student’s age and needs.
Comprehensive ADHD and Learning Evaluation — $3,500
A comprehensive evaluation is appropriate when attention concerns occur alongside academic difficulties, memory problems, emotional concerns, possible learning disabilities, giftedness or a more complex developmental history.
For school-age children when developmentally appropriate, the comprehensive evaluation includes:
• WISC-V cognitive testing or an appropriate age-based alternative
• D-KEFS executive-function testing
• CPT-3 or an age-appropriate continuous-performance measure
• Executive-function rating scales such as the BRIEF-2 or CEFI
• ADHD and behavioral rating scales such as Conners 4 and BASC-3
• Comprehensive academic achievement testing
• Cognitive-processing and memory measures
• Parent and teacher input
• Review of educational and clinical records
• Feedback consultation
• Comprehensive written psychological report
The precise battery is selected according to the child’s age, history, referral questions and documentation requirements. Younger children receive developmentally appropriate alternatives to measures designed for older students.
Assessment batteries are individualized. A child will not necessarily receive every measure listed below.
Commonly used instruments include:
• Conners Fourth Edition (Conners 4)
• Conners Continuous Performance Test, Third Edition (CPT-3)
• Kiddie Conners Continuous Performance Test, Second Edition (K-CPT 2)
• Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2)
• Comprehensive Executive Function Inventory (CEFI)
• Behavior Assessment System for Children, Third Edition (BASC-3)
• Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS)
• NEPSY, Second Edition (NEPSY-II)
• Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V)
• Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI)
• Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition, Normative Update (KABC-II NU)
• Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Fourth Edition (WIAT-4)
• Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, Third Edition (KTEA-3)
• Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities and Achievement
• Wechsler memory measures
• Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, Second Edition (MASC-2)
• Parent and teacher interview questionnaires
Test selection depends on the child’s age, presenting concerns and the questions the evaluation needs to answer.
ADHD can make it difficult to begin assignments, sustain effort, remember instructions and complete work efficiently. Learning disabilities directly affect the development of particular academic skills such as reading, writing or mathematics.
Some children have both ADHD and a learning disability. A comprehensive evaluation can examine whether academic problems are primarily related to attention, a specific learning disorder such as dyslexia, or a combination of conditions.
When indicated, testing may assess reading, spelling, written expression, mathematics and related cognitive-processing skills.
Gifted children can also have ADHD. These students may be described as twice-exceptional or 2e.
Strong reasoning and problem-solving abilities can compensate for executive-function weaknesses, sometimes delaying recognition of ADHD. Conversely, inconsistent work, impulsivity or difficulty completing routine assignments may prevent the child’s abilities from being fully recognized.
A comprehensive evaluation can identify cognitive strengths while examining attention, executive functioning, learning and emotional functioning.
ADHD and autism can share features such as difficulty with transitions, sensory sensitivities, intense interests, emotional dysregulation or social challenges. The two conditions can also occur together.
When autism-related concerns are present, the evaluation may need to include additional developmental interviews, autism-specific rating scales and direct assessment. We will discuss whether an ADHD evaluation, autism evaluation or combined assessment is most appropriate during the consultation.
A private psychological evaluation can provide findings and recommendations that families may share with a public school, charter school or private school.
Recommendations may address:
• Extended testing time
• Reduced-distraction testing
• Preferential seating
• Breaking lengthy tasks into smaller steps
• Organizational and planning support
• Written instructions and reminders
• Assistive technology
• Homework modifications
• Behavioral or emotional-regulation support
• Academic intervention when a learning disability is identified
Schools independently determine eligibility for special-education services, IEPs and Section 504 Plans. A private psychological evaluation provides clinical findings and recommendations but cannot guarantee eligibility, placement, services or particular accommodations.
Families may seek ADHD testing to guide support in private-school, homeschool or personalized-education settings.
The evaluation can help families and educators understand:
• How attention and executive-function weaknesses affect learning
• Whether academic difficulties require additional assessment
• Which classroom strategies may be helpful
• Whether organizational coaching or tutoring may be appropriate
• How emotional or behavioral factors affect school performance
• Which supports may help the student demonstrate their abilities more consistently
Reports are written to be understandable and useful to parents, educators and other professionals supporting the child.
Students with ADHD may need current documentation when requesting accommodations for standardized examinations.
When clinically supported, an evaluation may provide information relevant to requests involving:
• SAT, PSAT and Advanced Placement examinations administered by College Board
• ACT examinations
• High-school and private-school testing
• Dual-enrollment programs
• College or university disability services
• Other standardized examinations
College Board, ACT, schools, universities and other testing organizations establish their own documentation requirements and make their own accommodation decisions. An evaluation cannot guarantee approval or a particular accommodation.
Some families may be able to use eligible Step Up For Students scholarship funds toward psychological or psychoeducational evaluations.
Depending on the student’s scholarship and current program rules, funding may include:
• Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
• Personalized Education Program (PEP)
Funding availability, eligible expenses, required documentation and reimbursement decisions are determined by Step Up For Students. Families should confirm their available benefits and current requirements before scheduling.
ADHD evaluations may be completed virtually or in person, depending on the child’s age, assessment measures, referral questions, location and documentation requirements.
Some components, including parent interviews, record review and rating scales, can often be completed remotely. Direct testing may also be available virtually when the selected measures and circumstances support valid remote administration.
We will discuss the appropriate format during the initial consultation.
Following the evaluation, families receive:
• An explanation of the test results
• Diagnostic conclusions when supported
• Identification of cognitive and executive-function strengths
• Identification of attention, learning, memory or emotional concerns
• Individualized educational and home recommendations
• Suggested accommodations when clinically appropriate
• Recommendations for treatment or additional services
• A written psychological report
• A feedback consultation
Our goal is to give families a clear explanation of the child’s difficulties and a practical plan for moving forward.
Free phone consultation
We begin with a brief consultation to discuss your concerns and determine which evaluation option is most appropriate.
Intake and records
Parents complete intake forms and provide relevant educational, developmental and clinical records. Parent and teacher rating scales may be distributed electronically.
Testing
Testing may be completed virtually or in person, depending on the child’s age, assessment measures, referral questions and documentation requirements.
Feedback and written report
The findings are explained during a feedback consultation. Written reports are typically completed approximately one week after testing.
At what age can a child be evaluated for ADHD?
We evaluate children beginning around age four through adolescence. Assessment of very young children requires careful consideration of development, behavior across settings and alternative explanations for the symptoms.
Can one questionnaire diagnose ADHD?
No. Rating scales provide valuable information, but an ADHD diagnosis should not be based on one questionnaire or computer task. We consider the child’s history, functioning across settings, observations, test results and parent and teacher information when available.
What is the difference between focused and comprehensive testing?
Focused testing primarily examines ADHD symptoms, attention and executive functioning. A comprehensive evaluation also examines cognition, academic achievement, memory, processing and emotional or behavioral functioning. Comprehensive testing is usually more appropriate when the child has academic difficulties or a complex presentation.
Will the evaluation guarantee an IEP or 504 Plan?
No. The report may provide diagnoses, clinical findings and recommendations relevant to educational planning. The school independently determines eligibility for an IEP, Section 504 Plan, services and accommodations.
Can the report support SAT or ACT accommodation requests?
When clinically appropriate, the evaluation may document a diagnosis, current functional limitations and recommended accommodations. College Board, ACT and other organizations independently review requests and determine eligibility.
Can an ADHD evaluation be completed virtually?
Yes. Child and teen ADHD evaluations may be completed virtually or in person, depending on the student’s age, selected assessment measures, referral questions, location and documentation requirements. We will discuss the appropriate format during the initial consultation.
Can FES-UA or PEP funds be used?
Psychological or psychoeducational evaluations may be eligible under some Step Up For Students scholarship arrangements. Families should verify available funds, eligible expenses and documentation requirements directly with Step Up For Students.
How quickly can we schedule?
Appointments are generally available within 1–2 weeks. Written reports are typically completed approximately one week after testing.
If attention, organization, impulsivity or inconsistent performance is affecting your child at school or home, a comprehensive evaluation can clarify the reason and identify appropriate support.
Contact Bright Future Psychology to schedule a free phone consultation with a psychologist and discuss the appropriate ADHD evaluation for your child.
Bright Future Psychology
5633 Strand Blvd, Suite 311, Naples
Welcome! We offer free 20-min phone consultations. Looking forward to speaking with you to see how we can help.