Signs you might be seeing
No single sign means a child has ADHD, and every child is distracted or restless sometimes. But when several of these show up consistently, across home and school, and get in the way of everyday life, an evaluation can help you understand what's going on.
Trouble sustaining attention
Loses focus partway through tasks, is easily distracted, or seems to "tune out" even during one-on-one conversation.
Disorganized or forgetful
Loses track of assignments and belongings, forgets multi-step directions, or struggles to start and finish homework.
Restless or impulsive
Fidgets, has a hard time waiting or taking turns, blurts things out, or acts before thinking through the consequences.
Quietly inattentive
Not disruptive at all — daydreamy, slow to finish work, and easily overlooked because they aren't causing problems.
Effort that doesn't match results
A bright, capable child whose grades or output don't reflect how hard they're trying — often leading to frustration for everyone.
What the evaluation covers
Attention challenges rarely travel alone, so the assessment looks at the whole picture — ruling in ADHD where it fits, and ruling out (or catching) the learning, emotional, or processing factors that can look like ADHD or occur alongside it. Standardized rating scales from parents and teachers are woven throughout, so patterns are seen across home and school — not just in the testing room.
Attention & focus
How your child attends, shifts, and sustains focus over time, and how easily they're pulled off task.
Impulsivity & hyperactivity
Restlessness, difficulty waiting, acting before thinking, and the physical or verbal impulsivity that can disrupt daily life.
Emotional control
How your child regulates frustration and big feelings — an area that often goes hand in hand with ADHD but is easy to miss.
Executive functioning
Planning, organization, working memory, and the follow-through skills that keep school and daily tasks on track.
School & academic performance
How attention and executive skills are showing up in schoolwork, so the findings connect directly to the classroom.
What the process looks like
1. A free intro call
We start with a short, no-cost call to talk through your concerns and whether an evaluation is the right next step.
2. Intake & history
A detailed look at development, school history, and your family's observations, plus parent and teacher rating scales.
3. Teacher consult & interview (if applicable)
Where it helps, Claire consults with and interviews your child's teacher to understand how attention, behavior, and learning show up in the classroom.
4. Testing sessions
In-person testing at the Menlo Park or San Francisco office, in a calm, unhurried setting designed to help your child do their best.
5. Written report & feedback session
You receive a comprehensive written report and sit down with Claire to walk through the findings and clear, practical recommendations for home and school.
Why a private evaluation
Diagnostic clarity
A private evaluation can provide a clinical ADHD diagnosis, which school evaluations typically do not offer.
The report is yours
You own the report and can share it with schools, tutors, therapists, physicians, or other providers as you see fit.
Support for 504 & IEP planning
Findings and recommendations can support accommodations and advocacy at your child's school.