ADHD Assessment

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Have any of you gone for ADHD testing separate from your ASD assessment?

I was diagnosed ASD in 2018, but starting next week I have four full days (20 hours) of ADHD testing with psychiatry, psychology, and neuropsychiatry / neuropsychology. These doctors are affiliated with my ASD neuropsychologist, which is a bonus.

I have already sent them my ASD report which is 20 pages long, and I have to take every school report I received in my life (I have 50 pages worth) along with reports from my employment.

Has anyone else done adult ADHD testing subsequent to their ASD testing?

I assume there's a lot of overlap but they still said it will take 20 hours.

What types of tests are involved?

Thanks,
Is

Bumping the thread*

I go for my first of four sessions tomorrow, and I'm still wondering if anyone has done ADHD testing.

I know they do the Trail Making test, but I already did that one in my ASD assessment.

Also if anyone has input regarding ADHD meds, I'd be appreciative.

Sorry. Not been tested for anything as yet along those lines.

I was diagnosed with ADHD about two years ago. It was a different psychiatrist than the one who did my ASD diagnosis. But it wasn’t a complicated assessment. She had read the other reports and after a few interviews asked me if I’d ever had an ADHD diagnosis. I said no, but my son had. I also laughed as I certainly don’t meet what I thought ADHD would be like. She suggested some reading material and told me to think about it. It was reading a booklet designed to help college students with ADHD, who were leaving home and having to fend for themselves. More laughter as all of the tips they suggested I had thought of on my own, tried, and generally failed at too. But I finally agreed that it sounded plausible. I started on Vyvanse and I find I’m calmer and more able to voluntarily get things done. The doctor has been thinking of increasing my dose as I still wish that I had more functional desire to do things though. I used to do a variety of crafts and sew and I rarely think of it. Lists don’t help. Calendars don’t help. I’ve been carrying one task on my calendar every day for about eight years I hope your appointments go well and isn’t horribly stressful.

Update for anyone who might want an ADHD test:

Day 1 of 4 (Almost four hours)

I met with an ADHD psychiatrist today. We reviewed all my school report cards and employment evaluations (about fifty pages), my PTSD reports and my ASD assessment report. As a medical doctor he did a full medical exam much like a Neurologist would do (reflexes etc.) He did my BP which was unfortunately 179/113. He's concerned because ADHD meds are hard on the heart. I have a heart defect and I've already had a stroke. He wants me to send in all my Cardiology reports and I will likely need to see a Cardiologist again for clearance, deciding whether or not I'd be allowed to take ADHD meds. This would likely delay my third and fourth ADHD appointments later this month. The doctor said he can tell already that I'm ADHD and I would benefit from medication, but this will be a risk/benefit analysis after the Cardio consult. In the meantime, I go back to the ADHD centre later this week for my psychometry testing (Appointment #2). I will finish all four appointments and get my written diagnosis / report even if it turns out I can't take the meds. That would be really depressing, but I certainly trust his opinion.

Thanks Anne, for you input!

You’re welcome! I’m sorry that I took so long to respond to your original post, but your assessment sounds so much more involved than mine and I didn’t think I could help.

The Vyvanse has affected my BP. However it has traditionally been very low and the doctors aren’t worried, at least at this point. It’s nice not to get dizzy when I get up now!

It’s interesting, and good, that they are looking at your old school and work records. I found some of my high school ones a while ago and was glad that my son had never seen them. The issues raised, like rarely being on time with assignments, were so like the problems he had - and that I nagged about. He wouldn’t have taken me seriously if he knew that I’d been the same. (My most favourite work assessment said that I “was not afraid to ask questions”)! I hope your records can help give a rounded image of you.

Day 2 of 4
ADHD Testing

I met with a neuropsychologist and a psychometrist. We did a thorough psych screening questionnaire (the one that evaluates co-morbids such as schizophrenia, OCD, paranoia, agoraphobia, anxiety and depression.) I've done that survey several times in my life but it's standard testing procedure. Then there was an hour-long interview with the neuropscyhologist with general question-and-answer about my strengths and weaknesses or general difficulties related to attention and / or hyperfocus. The second half of the day was psychometry testing, nearly all of which I completed on a laptop or iPad. The tests were related to short term memory, recall, and speed reflexes. They were really tiring and I could tell I was zoning out a lot, missing details and not remembering information. There were verbal math problems I had to solve mentally, although I'm not sure how this relates. They were quite complex questions involving percentages, fractions and even algebra. I had to recite long strings of numbers backward by ear. It was a really exhausting appointment.

I have homework. I have to answer more questionnaires online, on a secure database, and submit the results to a psychological testing centre as a double blind comparison. There are also online questionnaires for my family to answer without consulting me, to confirm that they see me in the same way I see myself. (I had both these steps in my autism assessment, as well). The homework will take me 1-2 hours apparently, so there must be a lot of questionnaires!

Anne,
Thanks again for your reply. I'm glad your BP was increased for the better with Vyvanse. I saw my GP on Tuesday and she said the main concern with ADHD meds is they can cause arrhythmia. I don't have arrhythmia. She also said she'll get me back in to see Cardiology quickly if the ADHD psychiatrist deems it necessary, based on the old Cardio reports I submitted to him.

Yes I'm grateful my mother kept all my school reports, as many as four or five per year sometimes (including notes home from teachers, etc.) I'm sure they'll really help to confirm my diagnosis because many ADHD types of symptoms were described by my teachers, such as incomplete work and lost materials. My work assessments are much like yours too lol.

Anyway ... I don't know why I'm writing this log but I hope it helps someone if they venture down the adult ADHD path.


Next steps: Wait to hear if I need to see Cardiology, then have appointments two and three at the end of the month.

Thank you for keeping us posted!

The psychiatrist that I've seen for ten years (no longer as he's retiring) diagnosed my ADHD with a lot of input from my school reports and my then husband. With the school reports, he made notes of the ADHD-like behaviours I had such as failing to turn in homework, losing things and taking too long to start an activity. Organising myself was a big factor too.

He asked my husband what I was like at home with things like getting ready to go out and starting and finishing household chores.

The psychiatrist also asked me specific questions regarding types of ADHD behaviours (inattentive, hyperactive or combined types) and it turns out that I'm very inattentive with only one hyperactive trait (not able to sit still).

I was prescribed dexamphetamine (7 per day) and I still take it at that dose. I'm more alert and able to concentrate. I can also speak better and more easily which is an effect I didn't expect.

I wish to take Vyvanse but this country has a stupid rule that you can only get it cheaper if you were diagnosed with ADHD before age 18. It's extremely expensive otherwise and there's no way I could afford it.

I wish you well with your testing. It sounds much more involved than what I had.

Thanks for that, renaeden. It was very helpful to hear about your own experience. It's frustrating that different meds are available in different locations at different costs and under different guidelines. Blabby mentioned on another thread that his ADHD meds were abruptly cut off from insurance and he can no longer afford them. It sounds like what you're experiencing with Vyvanse.

I have no idea which subtype I am yet, or which med I'll be prescribed if any (they're reviewing my cardio reports), but chances are they'll find some type of suitable med for me.

I did all the online homework questionnaires which took about 2 hours, and I have a question. They kept asking in a number of ways "Do you have difficulty sitting still?" You mentioned that you can't sit still. What I want to know is, what does that mean? I'm very literal. I overanalyse questions. Is it asking whether I have difficulty sitting at all (e.g., do I prefer to walk and pace instead of sitting, do I get up a lot when I'm asked to sit), or is it asking whether I have difficulty remaining still when I do sit (e.g., not stimming or fidgeting when I'm sat)?

I stim, fidget and wiggle all the time when seated, but I'm not one to get up and walk around in circles or anything. I said "yes" I have profound difficulty sitting still because I can't sit without fidgeting or stimming. My hands are always moving.

I'm going through this lengthy process because if I'm identified ADHD they will help me find a new psychologist / psychiatrist specialising in ASD / ADHD together. The doctors I've met can even provide counselling for me online by remote. The report will be very detailed and I hope it opens some new doors for me because the ASD report (as we all know), basically leads nowhere. There are few services and no meds for ASD.

This must have been an exhausting week for you, but it's good they're being so thorough. And taking into account your BP issues, too many doctors (particularly specialists) can be very dismissive of medication side-effects.

Fingers crossed and take some time to rest and relax

You may be prescribed a non-stimulant medication such as Strattera (atomoxetine), Kapvay (clonidine) or Intuniv (guanfacine). It depends on what your tests reveal and what type of ADHD you have.

In regards to not sitting still, I think I'm much the same as you, my hands are always moving. I fiddle, fidget and wiggle around. It's especially bad if I'm to sit for a long time, like at the movies. I almost always look at my watch to know how how much longer I must sit for. My medication doesn't have much impact with this but I don't mind because I'm used to it. I've learnt to fiddle and fidget quietly without people noticing (much!).

That's really good about both your ASD and ADHD being treated together. It used to be they (doctors and other professionals) would only treat one or the other. With the DSM 5 you can have both conditions acknowledged together. I'm to start seeing a new psychiatrist within the next six months who treats both and I'm very glad because my now previous psychiatrist only acknowledged my ADHD.

Following for updates and because I’m self-diagnosed and curious about getting a professional diagnosis myself.

I'm going on Friday to see the neuropsychiatrist for my test results and subtype. I also get three hours of treatment planning with him, including medication options and counselling.

Then I go again on the following Monday for a neuropsychologist, for follow up and to link me with professionals who can manage ASD / ADHD and CPTSD for me. It will include OT recommendations, which I've always wanted.

I'll definitely update!

Whoa, that sounds intense! I can't believe it took so many visits and even looking at old grades. They just had my parents, boyfriend, and best friend fill out a survey and that was it. I also am confused about the math problems. I haven't gotten to that test yet but was told by the neuropsychologist that it was a part of the test (verbal rapid math questions, regardless of simplicity, cause me such anxiety that I stop talking). I can work on a piece of paper but not verbally. I'm really afraid of that test. With everything they are making you go through, I really hope they can finally bring closure to your and validate your experiences; although, it really sounds like they definitely will. I am sure you will get your diagnosis. Best of luck to you!

(Edit: I noticed a typo on my post from 5 February, entitled "Day 2 of 4". At the end of my post I said that I was waiting for Days 2 and 3 of my test, at the end of the month. I meant to say Days 3 and 4 at the end of the month. It won't let me correct that now so I'll mention it here).

It's been ridiculously intense, almost more so than ASD because I have to go four times. The ASD test was all on one exhaustive day, apart from some online tests at home. I feel like this is never-ending. It's very thorough because they have to be very careful about which medication they prescribe. I have a heart condition and I already had a stroke. I'm on a lot of blood medications as well as prescriptions for trauma and sleep. The neuropsychiatrist has full authority to change all of my medications as needed including those for blood pressure and my current SSRI, along with prescribing something new. This is why they need to test for my exact subtype, with so many parameters.

It doesn't help that it's an hour from home in a very busy urban area and it's costing me a bloody fortune to Uber there and home for four round trips (eight journeys).

Best of luck to you with your testing next week as well!