Understood Explains

How do doctors test adults for ADHD? What kind of questions do they ask? How long does it take? Understood Explains host Dr. Roberto Olivardia breaks down the process so you’ll know what to look for in a thorough evaluation. Get an overview and answers to common questions. 

For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood. 

Timestamps 

(00:00) Introduction

(00:51) What does an ADHD evaluation look like?  

(03:48) So, what are ADHD rating scales?  

(04:59) How long does this whole testing process take?  

(06:02) What is the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in adults?  

(07:42) Why is it so important to be open and honest during an ADHD evaluation?  

(08:31) Key takeaway, next episode, and credits  

Related resources

• How do doctors test for ADHD in adults?
• What are ADHD rating scales?
• The 3 types of ADHD

Getting your child the support they need at school shouldn’t feel like a fight. But for millions of families, it does. In Zero Reject, an investigative podcast from Understood.org, award-winning journalist Anya Kamenetz looks at how changing federal policies are reshaping special education — and what’s at stake for families trying to access the support their children are legally entitled to. Start listening now.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What type of doctor should you see for ADHD diagnosis — primary care provider? Psychologist? Psychiatrist? Is it worth waiting longer to see a specialist? How much does it cost? Get answers to common questions from Understood Explains host Dr. Roberto Olivardia.  

For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood. 

Timestamps 

(00:00) Introduction

(00:50) Can my primary care doctor diagnose ADHD?  

(03:19) Do I need a psychiatrist or psychologist to diagnose my ADHD?  

(05:13) What other kinds of specialists can diagnose ADHD?  

(07:01) How much does it cost to get an ADHD diagnosis?  

(08:15) Is it worth waiting longer for a specialist?  

(09:05) Key takeaway, next episode, and credits  

Related resources

• How ADHD is diagnosed in adults
• Can psychologists prescribe medication?
• Neuropsychological testing in ADHD: A special report
• About psychiatric mental health nursing

Getting your child the support they need at school shouldn’t feel like a fight. But for millions of families, it does. In Zero Reject, an investigative podcast from Understood.org, award-winning journalist Anya Kamenetz looks at how changing federal policies are reshaping special education — and what’s at stake for families trying to access the support their children are legally entitled to. Start listening now.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are you wondering if your ADHD symptoms are too mild to get tested? Or if there’s enough of a benefit to getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult? Host Dr. Roberto Olivardia shares his own diagnosis story as he answers common questions about whether to get formally tested for ADHD as an adult. 

For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood. 

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Introduction

(00:48) Should I get tested for ADHD?  

(03:44) Can I diagnose myself with ADHD?  

(05:17) What else do I need to know if I think I might have ADHD?  

(08:41) Key takeaway, next episode, and credits  

Related resources:

• ADHD symptoms at different ages
• What is executive function?
• ADHD and eating disorders
• ADHD and substance abuse (Peach’s story)

Getting your child the support they need at school shouldn’t feel like a fight. But for millions of families, it does. In Zero Reject, an investigative podcast from Understood.org, award-winning journalist Anya Kamenetz looks at how changing federal policies are reshaping special education — and what’s at stake for families trying to access the support their children are legally entitled to. Start listening now.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listen to the trailer for Season 2 of Understood Explains, which explores the ins and outs of adult ADHD diagnosis. 

Host Dr. Roberto Olivardia is a psychologist who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. Join him as he answers the most common questions about ADHD diagnosis, including what to look for in a thorough evaluation and how to treat ADHD with or without medication. 

Visit the episode page on Understood.

Getting your child the support they need at school shouldn’t feel like a fight. But for millions of families, it does. In Zero Reject, an investigative podcast from Understood.org, award-winning journalist Anya Kamenetz looks at how changing federal policies are reshaping special education — and what’s at stake for families trying to access the support their children are legally entitled to. Start listening now.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Parents, teachers, and psychologists all have something they wish they’d known sooner about the evaluation process. This bonus episode offers tips from parents who have been through the evaluation process at least once — and experts who have been through it hundreds of times. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].

Related resources

• How to talk to your child about getting evaluated
• What to say if your child is nervous about getting evaluated for special education
• What to do if your child says “I’m dumb”

Getting your child the support they need at school shouldn’t feel like a fight. But for millions of families, it does. In Zero Reject, an investigative podcast from Understood.org, award-winning journalist Anya Kamenetz looks at how changing federal policies are reshaping special education — and what’s at stake for families trying to access the support their children are legally entitled to. Start listening now.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“Mom, why are you making me do this?” Learn what to say to your child about getting evaluated. Hear perspectives from a psychologist (host Dr. Andy Kahn), an educator (Julian Saavedra), and a parenting expert (Amanda Morin). Get big-picture advice as well as specifics, like how to address your child’s worries about getting pulled out of class and other kids noticing. This episode also tackles one of the trickiest topics: how much of the evaluation report to share with your child. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].  

Related resources

• How to talk to your child about getting evaluated
• What to say if your child is nervous about getting evaluated for special education
• What to do if your child says “I’m dumb”

Getting your child the support they need at school shouldn’t feel like a fight. But for millions of families, it does. In Zero Reject, an investigative podcast from Understood.org, award-winning journalist Anya Kamenetz looks at how changing federal policies are reshaping special education — and what’s at stake for families trying to access the support their children are legally entitled to. Start listening now.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How often do kids need to be reevaluated for special education? What are schools looking for when they reevaluate students? Learn the basics from host Dr. Andy Kahn and special education teacher Kate Garcia. And find out key details, like why this process is extra important for high-schoolers who are thinking about going to college. Worried that the school might cut your child’s services? Get advice from parenting expert Amanda Morin on how to avoid passing those feelings on to your child. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].  

Related resources

• What is a reevaluation for special education?
• What to do if your child is losing IEP services
• Evaluation rights: What you need to know

Getting your child the support they need at school shouldn’t feel like a fight. But for millions of families, it does. In Zero Reject, an investigative podcast from Understood.org, award-winning journalist Anya Kamenetz looks at how changing federal policies are reshaping special education — and what’s at stake for families trying to access the support their children are legally entitled to. Start listening now.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What is a neuropsychologist? What can this specialist do that a school psychologist can’t? (The answer involves making diagnoses.) Listen as host Dr. Andy Kahn and fellow psychologist Dr. Ellen Braaten explain why some families pay for private testing when school evaluations are free. Learn ways to help cover the cost, like asking the school to pay for an independent educational evaluation. And hear from parenting expert Amanda Morin about a tricky topic: what to say if your child is getting private testing after being evaluated by the school. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].

Related resources

• Private evaluations: What you need to know
• Pros and cons of private vs. school evaluations
• Neuropsychological evaluations: What you need to know
• Independent educational evaluations (IEEs): What you need to know
• Why different evaluations may have different results

How-to resources

• 13 questions to ask before hiring a private evaluator
• How to get a free or low-cost private evaluation for your child
• Download: Sample letters including how to request an IEE

Getting your child the support they need at school shouldn’t feel like a fight. But for millions of families, it does. In Zero Reject, an investigative podcast from Understood.org, award-winning journalist Anya Kamenetz looks at how changing federal policies are reshaping special education — and what’s at stake for families trying to access the support their children are legally entitled to. Start listening now.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Adverse impact. Eligibility determination. IEPs. 504 plans. What are these things? And what do they have to do with how school evaluation teams decide which kids need which supports? Listen as host Dr. Andy Kahn and special education teacher Lauren Jewett explain what happens after the evaluation report is done. And get tips from parenting expert Amanda Morin on how to talk with your child about next steps. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].  

Related resources

• What to expect at an IEP eligibility meeting
• The 13 disability categories under IDEA
• The difference between IEPs and 504 plans
• 10 smart responses when the school cuts or denies services
• Parent training centers: A free resource in your state

Getting your child the support they need at school shouldn’t feel like a fight. But for millions of families, it does. In Zero Reject, an investigative podcast from Understood.org, award-winning journalist Anya Kamenetz looks at how changing federal policies are reshaping special education — and what’s at stake for families trying to access the support their children are legally entitled to. Start listening now.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The first time you look at your child’s evaluation report, you might be overwhelmed. What do all of those numbers mean? And are some numbers more important than others? Host Dr. Andy Kahn unpacks this topic with Harvard psychologist Dr. Ellen Braaten, who co-wrote Straight Talk About Psychological Testing for Kids. Get tips on how to make sense of the results. And hear from parenting expert Amanda Morin on how to share the evaluation findings with your child. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].  

Related resources

• Understanding evaluation results and next steps
• What evaluation testing results mean
• 5 conversation starters for discussing an evaluation report with teachers
• 6 ways kids might respond to an evaluation result
• Parent training centers: A free resource in your state

Getting your child the support they need at school shouldn’t feel like a fight. But for millions of families, it does. In Zero Reject, an investigative podcast from Understood.org, award-winning journalist Anya Kamenetz looks at how changing federal policies are reshaping special education — and what’s at stake for families trying to access the support their children are legally entitled to. Start listening now.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.