Expert assessment and insightful support for children, teens, and adults
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common—but often misunderstood—neurodevelopmental conditions. It affects individuals across all ages, genders, and backgrounds, and can significantly impact relationships, school, work, and daily functioning.
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Understanding ADHD: more than just distraction
ADHD is not simply about being distracted or hyperactive—it reflects differences in how the brain regulates attention, impulse control, emotional responses, and executive functioning.
There are three primary types of ADHD:
- Predominantly Inattentive Type (commonly referred to as ADD)
- Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
- Combined Presentation (both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms)
ADHD symptoms typically appear before age 12, but many individuals—especially girls and adults—go undiagnosed until much later in life.
Common Signs of ADHD in Children
Children with ADHD often struggle to meet the behavioral expectations of home and school environments. While many children occasionally daydream or fidget, persistent and disruptive patterns may suggest the need for evaluation.
- Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play
- Making careless mistakes in schoolwork
- Trouble organizing tasks and following through
- Frequently losing items (e.g., pencils, homework)
- Easily distracted and forgetful in daily activities
- Fidgeting, squirming, or trouble staying seated
- Talking excessively or blurting out answers
- Interrupting conversations or games
- Difficulty waiting their turn
- Emotional outbursts or frequent frustration
Our ADHD Evaluation Process
Ubuntu Psychological Services offers comprehensive, neurodiversity-affirming evaluations for ADHD in both children and adults. Our assessments are rooted in best practices and include:
- Initial consultation to explore concerns, symptoms, and history
- Review of medical, academic, and developmental records
- Structured clinical interview with the client (and parents/guardians, when applicable)
- Teacher or workplace input, when needed, via rating forms
- Objective cognitive and behavioral testing, including:
1. Executive functioning assessment
2. Behavior rating scales
3. Attention and response inhibition testing (e.g., CPT—Continuous Performance Test)
ADHD in adults: a hidden struggle
ADHD doesn’t disappear with age—it evolves. Many adults with ADHD were never formally diagnosed in childhood. Instead, they may have internalized struggles with time management, emotional regulation, and meeting responsibilities—often blaming themselves for difficulties that are actually rooted in neurodivergence
Common symptoms of adult ADHD include:
- Chronic disorganization or procrastination
- Difficulty focusing, especially on boring or repetitive tasks
- Impulsivity in decision-making, spending, or communication
- Forgetting appointments, tasks, or obligations
- Emotional dysregulation, mood swings, and low frustration tolerance
- Restlessness or the feeling of being constantly “on edge”
Gender & ADHD: why girls and women are often missed
Boys are statistically more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, often due to more obvious hyperactive behaviors. However, ADHD is just as common in girls—though it may manifest differently. Girls and women with ADHD tend to:
- Be more inattentive than hyperactive
- Mask symptoms by “people pleasing” or overcompensating
- Experience internal struggles such as anxiety or low self-esteem
- Be misdiagnosed with mood disorders or labeled as lazy, disorganized, or emotional
Recognizing autism in adults
Many adults have lived for years without a diagnosis, often masking symptoms or being misdiagnosed. Autism in adults may present differently than in children and is sometimes misunderstood—particularly among women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Common autistic traits in adults may include:
- Difficulty with small talk or social norms
- Feeling “different” or misunderstood by peers
- Strong preference for honesty, loyalty, and deep connections
- Social fatigue after interactions or group settings
- Reliance on scripting or rehearsing for conversations
- A tendency to mimic others' behaviors to fit in
- Discomfort with eye contact
- Sensory sensitivities (e.g., to lights, sounds, clothing textures)
- Sensory-seeking behaviors (e.g., rocking, fidgeting, deep pressure)
- A need for specific routines around food or clothing
- Preference for routines and predictability
- Black-and-white thinking or difficulty with ambiguity
- Intense focus on specific interests or hobbies
- Difficulty with transitions or changes in plans
- Executive functioning struggles (e.g., time management, organization)
- High levels of anxiety, especially in social or unstructured settings
- Emotional overwhelm, meltdowns, or shutdowns in response to stress
- Difficulty identifying or expressing emotions
- Strong emotional attachment to routines or personal belongings
What causes ADHD?
Contrary to popular belief, ADHD is not caused by poor parenting, too much sugar, screen time, or socioeconomic status—though these may exacerbate symptoms in some individuals. While the exact causes of ADHD are not fully understood, research points to a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. These may include:
- Family history of ADHD or other mental health conditions
- Differences in brain structure, connectivity, or neurotransmitter activity
- Premature birth or low birth weight
- Exposure to toxins (e.g., lead) or substance use during pregnancy
- Head injuries or early childhood trauma
ADHD Testing Accommodations and Workplace Support
Ubuntu Psychological Services works collaboratively with families, schools, and employers to help implement these supports. A formal diagnosis of ADHD can open the door to supportive accommodations at school and work:
- Extended test-taking time
- Reduced-distraction environments
- Breaks during testing
- Alternate assignment formats
- Support services (e.g., counseling, academic coaching)
- Flexible deadlines
- Task reminders or scheduling aids
- Modified workspace to reduce distractions
- Scheduled breaks to support focus and regulation
Ubuntu Psychological Services works collaboratively with families, schools, and employers to help implement these supports.
Why a Thorough ADHD Assessment Matters
Online quizzes and brief screenings often lack the accuracy and nuance needed for proper diagnosis. At Ubuntu, our assessments go beyond symptom checklists—we assess the whole person and tailor our approach to each client’s lived experience
Getting an accurate diagnosis can:
- Improve self-awareness
- Validate past experiences
- Guide effective treatment and coping strategies
- Empower advocacy for accommodations
- Reduce shame and increase self-acceptance