Adult ADHD Assessment in Tennessee: What to Expect (Timeline, Report, and Next Steps)
- Ryan Burns
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Last reviewed: 02/23/2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly
If you’re considering an adult ADHD assessment, you’re probably looking for two things: clarity (is it ADHD, something else, or both?) and a plan you can actually use. The process can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve been dismissed before or you’re worried you’ll “mess up” the appointment.
In this article, you’ll learn:
What usually happens in an ADHD assessment for adults, in what order
What a comprehensive evaluation includes (and what quick tests often miss)
Typical timelines, what’s inside the final report, and how it’s used
What to bring to an ADHD assessment without spiraling into late-night research
How to start a private ADHD assessment with ScienceWorks in Tennessee (including telehealth)
🧭 Key takeaway: A good evaluation is more than “Do you relate to these symptoms?” It’s a structured process that connects symptoms to real-life impairment and rules out look-alikes.
The “what happens, in what order” overview
A thorough ADHD evaluation near me (or via telehealth) usually follows a predictable flow: intake, history, measures, an interview, and then feedback. There is no single test that can diagnose ADHD by itself, which is why good assessments pull information from multiple sources. [3]
Intake + history
Most adult ADHD assessments start with paperwork and a structured intake call or visit. Expect questions like:
What made you seek an assessment now?
What are your biggest day-to-day pain points (work, school, home, relationships)?
When did you first notice these patterns? (Even if you’re not sure, your clinician will help you map it.)
What have you tried already (therapy, coaching, medication, sleep changes, systems, apps)?
You may also be asked about medical history, medications, substance use, and mental health history. Guidelines emphasize a full clinical and psychosocial assessment, including current functioning and co-occurring conditions. [1]
Practical example: You might describe “I can focus in crisis, but I can’t start routine tasks,” or “I’m great at brainstorming, but I miss deadlines and forget meetings.” That kind of functional detail matters as much as symptom checklists.
Measures + interview + collateral info (when needed)
Most clinicians use a mix of:
Standardized rating scales (often including a validated screening tool like the ASRS)
A clinical interview that explores ADHD symptoms, development over time, and impairment
Review of relevant records (when available)
Collateral information (sometimes) from a partner, parent, or someone who has known you across settings
Collateral is not “required,” and it’s not always possible. But it can be helpful because ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition and diagnosis typically involves confirming a long-standing pattern, not a sudden change that started last month. [2]
Common misconception #1: “If I do an online ADHD assessment quiz, that’s basically a diagnosis.” Online questionnaires can be useful screeners, but they can’t rule out other explanations or evaluate impairment the way a clinician can. [3]
✅ Tip: If you’re starting with telehealth, ask how the clinician handles measures (secure online forms, structured interviews, and feedback sessions are often done virtually).
What a comprehensive assessment should include (and what quick tests miss)
Many people search “ADHD testing for adults” and assume the goal is to “pass” a test. In reality, the goal is accuracy.
A comprehensive evaluation generally includes:
A careful review of current symptoms and how they show up in multiple settings
Evidence of impairment (not just traits)
Developmental history (childhood and teen years, even if details are fuzzy)
Screening for co-occurring mental health conditions
Differential diagnosis (ruling out ADHD look-alikes)
This multi-component approach is echoed across international guideline recommendations for safe diagnostic practice. [2]
🔎 Key takeaway: Quick tests can flag risk, but a comprehensive assessment explains the “why,” clarifies overlap, and gives you actionable next steps.
Differential diagnosis: anxiety, trauma, sleep, learning issues
Several conditions can look like ADHD, or can sit on top of ADHD and amplify it:
Anxiety and depression (worry, rumination, low motivation, brain fog)
Trauma-related symptoms (hypervigilance, avoidance, concentration changes)
Sleep problems (insomnia, sleep apnea, circadian rhythm disruption)
Learning differences (reading/writing/math challenges that increase effort and fatigue)
Health authorities stress that many other problems can produce ADHD-like symptoms, and that diagnosis involves sorting through these possibilities. [3]
Sleep is especially important because chronic sleep loss can mimic attention and executive function problems, and sleep disorders are common among adults with ADHD. [7]
If trauma may be part of your story, your evaluator may explore how attention changes relate to stress responses and safety behaviors, and whether trauma-focused treatment should run alongside (or before) ADHD-specific interventions. You can learn more about ScienceWorks support for trauma on our trauma therapy page.
Function-based conclusions (work, school, relationships)
A strong assessment doesn’t just label symptoms. It connects them to real-world functioning.
For example:
Work: difficulty prioritizing, time blindness, missed deadlines, inconsistent follow-through
School or training: long reading times, trouble with sustained attention, procrastination cycles
Relationships: forgetting plans, interrupting, emotional reactivity, difficulty with transitions
ADHD is defined by impairing patterns, not by personality quirks, and functional impact is central to adult diagnosis and care planning. [4]
Common misconception #2: “If I did well in school, I can’t have ADHD.” Many adults compensate through intelligence, structure, or high anxiety. The cracks often show up later when demands increase (college, parenting, leadership roles).
Common misconception #3: “ADHD always looks like hyperactivity.” In adults, inattentive symptoms and internal restlessness are common, and many people don’t recognize their own patterns until they learn what ADHD can look like beyond stereotypes. [4]
How long does an adult ADHD assessment take—and what you get at the end
Timelines vary by clinic, scheduling availability, and how complex the picture is. But most comprehensive processes include at least two touchpoints: assessment and feedback.
⏱️ Key takeaway: The “best” timeline is the one that allows enough time for careful history, differential diagnosis, and clear recommendations, not just a fast label.
Typical timeline (scheduling to feedback)
Here’s a common sequence for an ADHD assessment for adults:
Scheduling: Often a short call or online request first
Intake forms: Rating scales and background questionnaires
Assessment appointment(s): One longer visit or a couple of shorter sessions
Scoring + record review: The clinician synthesizes data and writes the report
Feedback session: You review results, ask questions, and talk next steps
Some people need an additional visit when there are multiple overlapping concerns (for example, significant anxiety plus sleep disruption plus possible ADHD). That’s normal and often improves accuracy.
What’s inside the report and how people use it
A well-written report typically includes:
Referral question and what you were hoping to learn
Summary of history (developmental, educational, occupational, medical)
Measures used and key results
Diagnostic impressions (including what was considered and ruled out)
Function-based conclusions (how the profile affects daily life)
Recommendations tailored to your goals
People often use the report to:
Decide next steps in therapy or coaching
Support workplace or school accommodations (when appropriate)
Coordinate care with a prescriber or primary care clinician
Reduce shame by making patterns make sense
If your next step is skill-building, ScienceWorks offers executive function coaching designed to translate insights into sustainable routines.
Preparing without spiraling (a practical checklist)
It’s easy to over-prepare, especially if you’ve been anxious about being believed. Preparation should support clarity, not create a 2 a.m. spiral.
🌿 Key takeaway: Your job is to bring real-life examples, not a perfect self-diagnosis.
What to gather (symptom timeline, school/work notes)
If you’re wondering what to bring to an ADHD assessment, aim for a few high-yield items:
A short symptom timeline (childhood, teen years, early adulthood, now)
A few concrete examples of impairment (missed bills, lost items, repeated work errors, relationship conflicts)
Past evaluations or therapy summaries (if you have them)
School records or report cards (helpful, not required)
Work performance notes (self-reflection, emails, reviews) that show patterns over time
Also consider completing a quick baseline check on mood, anxiety, or sleep. Many people start with a general screener and bring results to their clinician. ScienceWorks offers a mental health screening hub.
What not to do (doom-scrolling symptoms at 2am)
A few “don’ts” that help:
Don’t try to memorize diagnostic criteria
Don’t compare yourself to ADHD content that’s designed to be entertaining, not accurate
Don’t hide coping strategies out of fear they “disprove” ADHD (compensating is part of the story)
Don’t stop medications or caffeine abruptly without medical guidance
If sleep has been rough, it’s worth addressing early, because sleep disruption can intensify focus and emotion regulation difficulties. ScienceWorks offers CBT-I support for insomnia.
How to start an ADHD evaluation with ScienceWorks (TN + telehealth)
ScienceWorks provides psychological assessments, including ADHD and autism evaluations, with appointments available via telehealth in Tennessee and many other states. Learn more about our approach on the psychological assessments page, and meet the team on our Meet Us page.
🤝 Key takeaway: A good assessment should leave you feeling understood, with a clear plan and realistic options, even if the answer is “it’s complicated.”
Who it’s a fit for
An adult ADHD assessment may be a good fit if you:
Want clarity about long-standing attention or executive function challenges
Need differential diagnosis (ADHD vs anxiety, trauma, sleep, learning issues, or more than one)
Want a report you can use for next steps (therapy, coaching, accommodations, care coordination)
Prefer a neurodiversity-affirming approach, especially if you’re exploring ADHD assessment for women or late diagnosis
Research suggests women often experience delayed recognition and unique impacts of receiving an adult diagnosis, which is one reason a careful, context-rich evaluation matters. [8]
Book an assessment (CTA)
If you’re ready to start, the simplest next step is to reach out and tell us what you want clarity on. You don’t have to have the perfect words.
Start with our Contact page
Share what’s been hardest lately (work, school, parenting, relationships, burnout)
Ask how the assessment process works for your situation (in-person vs telehealth, timeline, and what you’ll receive)
Before you book, it can help to jot down one sentence: “If this assessment goes well, I want to leave with ______.” That single goal can guide the whole process.
About ScienceWorks
ScienceWorks is led by Dr. Kiesa Kelly. Dr. Kelly is a licensed clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist by training, with more than 20 years of experience in psychological assessment. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
Dr. Kelly completed advanced clinical training at the University of Chicago, University of Wisconsin, University of Florida, and Vanderbilt University, including an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship focused on ADHD. She provides services via telehealth in Tennessee and multiple other states.
References
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management (NG87). Last reviewed May 7, 2025. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87
Skirrow P. Practice Standards for the Assessment of ADHD: A Synthesis of Recommendations From Eight International Guidelines. Journal of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists. 2025;35(1):96-116. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16743965
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diagnosing ADHD. Updated October 3, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/diagnosis/index.html
Faraone SV, Banaschewski T, Coghill D, et al. The World Federation of ADHD international consensus statement: 208 evidence-based conclusions about the disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021;128:789-818. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.022
Kessler RC, Adler L, Ames M, et al. The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychol Med. 2005;35(2):245-256. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291704002892
Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ. Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach. BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17:302. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5567978/
Díaz-Román A, Mitchell R, Cortese S. Sleep in adults with ADHD: Systematic review and meta-analysis of subjective and objective studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018;89:61-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.02.014
Attoe DE, Climie EA, Yeung E. A Systematic Review of ADHD in Adult Women. J Atten Disord. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547231161533
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. If you are in crisis or need immediate help, call 988 (U.S.) or your local emergency number.
