Now Offering ADHD Assessments at Cherokee Center for Change Counseling, Inc.

Gain clarity, understand challenges, and receive the support you need.

Call us at 770-928-7300 to set up an appointment!

What is Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s ability to focus, regulate impulses, and manage hyperactivity. ADHD is one of the most common mental health conditions diagnosed in both children and adults. It is typically categorized into three subtypes: predominantly inattentive presentation, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, and combined presentation, which includes symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity.

Individuals with ADHD may struggle with maintaining attention on tasks, organizing responsibilities, following through on instructions, or sitting still for extended periods. These challenges can impact school, work, and social interactions, sometimes leading to frustration or feelings of underachievement. However, ADHD is not simply a lack of effort or discipline—it is a brain-based condition that affects executive functioning, making it difficult to regulate attention and behavior.

How ADHD Affects Daily Life

ADHD can present unique difficulties in academic, professional, and social settings. Children with ADHD may have trouble completing assignments, staying seated in class, or following multi-step directions. Adults often experience challenges with time management, procrastination, forgetfulness, and maintaining focus during long meetings or conversations. In relationships, impulsivity and difficulty listening can sometimes cause misunderstandings or conflict.

Despite these challenges, individuals with ADHD often possess incredible strengths. Many people with ADHD are highly creative, energetic, and capable of thinking outside the box. With the right strategies, structure, and support, they can thrive in their personal and professional lives. Treatment options such as therapy, behavioral interventions, lifestyle adjustments, and, in some cases, medication, can significantly help manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.

If you or a loved one is struggling with symptoms of ADHD, a professional assessment can provide clarity and direction. Our counseling center offers ADHD assessments to help individuals better understand their unique challenges and strengths while exploring effective strategies for success.

For more information, check out the Symptoms and Diagnosis guide from CDC here.

ADHD Assessments at Cherokee Center for Change Counseling, Inc.

Assessing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) requires a comprehensive and careful approach, as symptoms like inattention, distractibility, and restlessness can be linked to a variety of other conditions. At Cherokee Center for Change, we provide in-depth ADHD assessments to evaluate cognitive functioning and determine whether ADHD is the primary concern or if other factors may be contributing to attention-related difficulties.

Our psychoeducational assessment goes beyond just identifying symptoms—it examines multiple cognitive domains to provide a full understanding of an individual’s strengths and challenges. This assessment includes:

✔️ Intellectual functioning – Measuring overall cognitive abilities
✔️ Academic achievement – Evaluating reading, writing, and math skills
✔️ Attention and working memory – Assessing focus, concentration, and mental processing
✔️ Language functioning – Identifying any speech or communication difficulties
✔️ Visual-spatial processing – Understanding how an individual interprets and organizes visual information
✔️ Executive functioning – Examining skills like planning, organization, and impulse control
✔️ Emotional and behavioral development – Understanding how ADHD may impact self-esteem, mood, and relationships

Because ADHD and other cognitive disorders can influence mental well-being, our evaluations also explore how attention difficulties may contribute to anxiety, depression, self-confidence issues, and even substance use. Many individuals find that gaining clarity on these underlying causes is a life-changing step toward effective treatment and support.

ADHD Assessments: What To Expect

At Cherokee Center for Change, we strive to make the ADHD assessment process as smooth and informative as possible. Below is a step-by-step guide on what to expect when scheduling an ADHD evaluation with us.

Step 1: Scheduling Your Appointment

Once you call our front office to schedule an ADHD assessment, our staff will guide you through the process and provide you with an intake packet. This packet contains important forms that gather general information, reported symptoms, and background history to help our team better understand your concerns.

Step 2: Completing Intake Paperwork & Assessments

After scheduling, the individual (or guardian of a child) will receive a set of assessments to complete at home before the in-office testing. These include:

PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9): A widely used screening tool that helps assess the severity of depressive symptoms, which often co-occur with ADHD.
GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7): A brief questionnaire designed to measure levels of anxiety, as anxiety symptoms can sometimes overlap with or impact ADHD symptoms.

Additionally, individuals will receive one of the following ADHD-specific assessments based on age:

Brown Executive Function/Attention Scales (For ages 18+): This assessment evaluates difficulties in executive functioning, such as attention, organization, and impulse control, which are key areas affected by ADHD.
BASC-3 (Behavior Assessment System for Children, 3rd Edition) (For ages 17 and under): This assessment provides insight into behavioral and emotional functioning. The guardian will complete this assessment, and a separate teacher form will be provided to gather feedback from an educational setting.

Step 3: In-Office QbTest (Objective ADHD Testing)

After completing the intake paperwork, the individual will come into our office to take the QbTest, a computer-based test designed to objectively measure core ADHD symptoms:

Attention & Focus
Impulse Control
Activity Level (Hyperactivity)

The test length depends on the individual’s age:

Ages 6-11: 15-minute test
Ages 12 and older: 20-minute test

The QbTest is FDA-cleared and is commonly used to support ADHD diagnoses in clinical and educational settings. It provides real-time data comparing an individual's performance to those with and without ADHD, helping to ensure an accurate evaluation. Most insurance plans cover this test.

Step 4: Receiving Your Comprehensive ADHD Report

Once all assessments and intake paperwork are completed, our team of licensed professionals—including a psychologist and psychiatrist on staff—will review the results and finalize a comprehensive report. This report includes:
✅ A detailed breakdown of test results and findings
✅ ADHD-related insights and recommendations
✅ Next steps for treatment, accommodations, or referrals

This report can be shared with medical providers, schools, or workplaces if desired, helping to advocate for appropriate accommodations and support.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re looking for clarity and support, we’re here to help. Call us today at 770-928-7300 to schedule your ADHD assessment and take the next step toward understanding and managing ADHD effectively.