ADHD Evaluations & Diagnoses

1-Hour Psychiatric Evaluations for the Diagnosis of Adult ADHD and Accommodations for School and Work

Patients are often surprised that our office can provide both in-office and Virtual Online 1-Hour evaluations for the diagnosis of Adult ADHD and accommodations for school and work. Like many psychiatric offices, we have the ability to perform full-day neuropsychological evaluations as well (click here), but these extensive evaluations are rather costly and time consuming, and are typically not required for basic accommodations for school and work.

Why Would Someone Need an ADHD Diagnosis from a Mental Health Professional?

The diagnosis of ADHD for adults is complex, and providers need specialized training in mental health to accurately make a diagnosis. Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Substance Use Disorders, Personality Disorders, Autism and other illnesses, can often be mislabeled as Adult ADHD. Seeing a provider with additional training in all of these conditions, helps to ensure an accurate diagnosis, and proper accommodation recommendations. Specific scenarios where an ADHD diagnosis from a mental health professional may be required include…

• A patient’s primary care provider may require a diagnosis of Adult ADHD by a mental health professional, in order to feel comfortable treating a patient’s ADHD.
• A patient’s high school, college, university or graduate studies program may require an ADHD diagnosis by a mental health professional for accommodations for school work and test taking.
• A patient’s licensing or testing board may require a diagnosis from a mental health professional for accommodations for advanced testing or certifications within their field.
• A patient’s workplace may offer accommodations for adults with ADHD, if the diagnosis and accommodations are recommended by a mental health professional.

Can I have a 1-Time Appointment for an ADHD Diagnosis and Letter for Accommodations with your Providers?

While our Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Psychologists prefer that a patient continue with our practice for the treatment of their adult ADHD (with psychotherapy and/or medication management for ADHD), it is not a requirement. However, if a patient is seen for a one-time evaluation for ADHD, and they choose not to establish long-term care, then this would be a one-time service and the providers would not be available for prescription management.

Why Do You Recommend Follow-up with a Mental Health Professional for the Treatment of ADHD?

Individuals with Adult ADHD can have significant symptoms that interfere with both their personal and professional lives. ADHD can cause adults to struggle with employment, finances, interpersonal relationships, legal difficulties, substance abuse, gambling and other issues secondary to poor attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Adults with ADHD have higher rates of anxiety, depression, problems related to anger and irritability, nicotine dependence, substance abuse, and even higher rates of motor vehicle accidents, than the general population. Working with a provider who is a trained expert in the evaluation and treatment of these co-morbid illnesses and difficulties, allows for the best treatment for the entire person – not just a singular diagnosis. Additionally, mental health providers receive training in the treatment of ADHD itself, beyond what primary care providers and general nurse practitioners receive in their training.

There are various types of medications that treat ADHD, including stimulants (controlled medications) and non-stimulant options. Most of these medications can affect one’s anxiety and mood (both positively and negatively, and several can have serious adverse side effects, including suicidal thoughts, risks of abuse and dependence, and even psychosis. We strongly advise against patients utilizing large on-line “ADHD companies” that hire non-board certified providers, without specific advanced training in mental health or Board Certification, and without the proper monitoring of psychiatric symptoms. “Subscription plan” mental health, is not quality mental health. Call Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates for more information on our mental health services, by Board Certified Mental Health Experts.

What Does My School, Work or Examination Board Require for Accommodations for Adult ADHD?

We recommend that you contact your school, work or examination board, and ask for their specific requirements before booking an appointment with our office. Questions to ask:

• Do you accept a diagnosis for ADHD and letter for accommodations by Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners? (If so, call to schedule)!
• Do you require that a PhD or PsyD perform a full battery of neuropsychological tests, including standardized scores, and a formal report of those scores, in order to have accommodations? (If so, call about our neuropsychological testing with our licensed Psychologists. These tests are typically 4+ hours, in-office, and unfortunately more costly). These more extensive tests are typically required by medical boards for physicians, bar associations for lawyers and similar types of advanced certifications and testing.

What does a 1-Hour ADHD Evaluation Cost?

Please refer to our fees and policies for an updated schedule, but for 2025 a typical one-hour evaluation with our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners cost $350 and with most of our Psychiatrists $500. There may be a small fee (for example, 50 dollars) if additional forms and administrative work is required by your institution.

ADHD Resources

Click here for our ADHD Medication Shortage Guide.