Where to Get Tested for ADHD (Tennessee + Telehealth): A Step-by-Step Guide
- Ryan Burns
- Jan 2
- 8 min read
If you’re searching for where to get tested for ADHD in Tennessee, you’re not alone. Getting evaluated can feel confusing because “ADHD testing” can mean anything from a quick screening call to a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. And while online quizzes can be validating, there’s no single test that can diagnose ADHD. A good evaluation looks at symptoms, history, and real-life impact, and it checks for other conditions that can look like ADHD.[1]
In this article, you’ll learn:
What “ADHD testing” actually includes (and what it shouldn’t)
How to clarify your goal (accommodations, treatment, meds coordination)
Your main options for ADHD testing in Tennessee, including Nashville-area considerations
What telehealth ADHD evaluations can and can’t do in Tennessee
A quick checklist to choose a provider who will give you usable results
💡 Key takeaway: A solid ADHD evaluation is a process, not a single quiz or a one-visit label.[1]
Start here: what “ADHD testing” actually means
Screening vs diagnosis (and why online quizzes aren’t enough)
A screening is a quick “does this look like ADHD?” check. It can be helpful for deciding whether to pursue a full evaluation.
A diagnosis is different: it’s a structured clinical decision using established criteria and information from multiple angles (symptoms, history, and impairment across settings). The CDC is clear that ADHD diagnosis is a multi-step process and that many other issues (sleep, anxiety, depression, learning problems) can mimic ADHD.[1]
Misconception #1: “If my online score is high, I’m diagnosed.”
Online tools can flag patterns, but they can’t confirm onset timing, rule-outs, or functional impairment the way a full evaluation can.[1]
What a comprehensive evaluation typically includes
While the exact battery varies, most quality ADHD assessments include:
Clinical interview (symptoms now, childhood history, functioning)
Rating scales/checklists from you and ideally someone who knows you well (partner, parent, teacher)[2,4]
Records review when available (school reports, prior diagnoses, treatment history)[4,6]
Impairment review (work, school, home, relationships, health)
Differential diagnosis (screening for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, trauma, substance use, learning disorders)[1,2,5,6]
Feedback + documentation (clear results and next-step recommendations)
Misconception #2: “Real ADHD testing always requires hours of in-person neuropsych testing.”
Sometimes cognitive/neuropsych testing is useful, especially when learning disorders, concussion history, or complex profiles are involved.
But many ADHD diagnoses can be made through a thorough clinical evaluation plus standardized measures and collateral input when appropriate.[1,3]
Who can diagnose ADHD in Tennessee
In Tennessee, ADHD can be diagnosed by qualified, licensed healthcare professionals. The CDC notes diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional (such as a psychologist or psychiatrist) or by a primary care provider (such as a pediatrician).[1]
Tennessee law recognizes that licensed psychologists’ scope includes psychological diagnosis.[9]
In practice, you’ll most commonly see ADHD diagnoses made by:
Psychologists / neuropsychologists (assessment-heavy, detailed reports)
Psychiatrists (diagnosis + medication management)
Primary care / pediatric providers (often screen and diagnose; may refer for complex cases)[1]
✅ Key takeaway: If you need a detailed report (school/work), psychologists and neuropsychologists often provide the most documentation-heavy evaluations. If meds are a priority, plan for coordination with a prescriber.[1]
Step 1 — Clarify your goals for getting evaluated
Documentation needs (school/work accommodations, treatment planning, meds coordination)
Before you book anything, decide what you need the outcome to do.
Accommodations: You’ll usually want a written report or letter that clearly explains impairment and recommendations (for 504/IEP, college disability services, workplace accommodations).
Treatment planning: You’ll want actionable recommendations (therapy targets, coaching, routines, skill-building, environmental supports).
Medication coordination: You’ll want clarity on whether the evaluating provider also prescribes, or if they coordinate with a prescriber.
Practical example: If accommodations are your priority, ask: “Will your report include functional impact, specific recommendations, and diagnosis codes, and is it written for schools/employers?”
A
dult vs teen evaluations: what changes
ADHD is about patterns over time, so age changes how history gets collected.
Teens: Schools may provide rich data (teacher input, grade trends, behavior reports). Collateral is often easier to obtain.
Adults: Clinicians often rely on a detailed developmental interview plus any available childhood records and collateral input when possible.[2,4]
Misconception #3: “If I made good grades, I can’t have ADHD.”
Many people (especially high-masking folks) overcompensate with anxiety, perfectionism, late-night crunching, or constant self-pressure. An evaluation should explore how you kept up and what it cost you.
When to consider evaluating for anxiety, depression, sleep, or trauma at the same time
It’s common for ADHD-like symptoms to overlap with:
Sleep problems (insufficient sleep, insomnia, apnea)
Anxiety or depression
Trauma-related hypervigilance
Substance use
A quality evaluation will consider these because they can mimic or intensify ADHD symptoms.[1,2,5,6]
🌿 Key takeaway: The best evaluations don’t just answer “Is it ADHD?” They answer “What’s driving these symptoms, and what should we do next?”[1,2]
Step 2 — Know your options in Tennessee for where to get tested for ADHD
Private practice assessment clinics (psychologists, neuropsychologists)
This is often the best fit when you want:
A thorough process
Clear documentation
Differential diagnosis
A report you can use for accommodations
In Tennessee, “private ADHD testing” commonly happens in psychologist-led practices offering psychological assessments and written reports.
If you’re exploring assessment options, ScienceWorks offers psychological assessments and can help you figure out whether assessment, therapy, coaching, or a combined approach fits your goals.
Psychiatry/medical settings (and what they may vs may not provide)
Psychiatry and medical clinics can be great when:
Medication management is a priority
You need evaluation plus ongoing care in one place
Tradeoff: some medical settings provide diagnosis without a full written assessment report. If you need documentation for school/work, ask what deliverables you’ll receive.
University/community clinics and waitlist tradeoffs
Across Tennessee, university training clinics and community programs may offer lower-cost evaluations.
Tradeoffs can include:
Longer waitlists
Limited appointment availability
Variable report detail
Nashville note: If you’re searching “ADHD testing Nashville,” expect a mix of private assessment clinics and larger medical/university systems. Call ahead and ask what their ADHD evaluation includes and whether they provide a full report.
🧭 Key takeaway: “Where to test for ADHD” is really “Which setting matches my goal: documentation, speed, cost, or integrated medical care?”
Step 3 — Telehealth in Tennessee: what’s possible and what isn’t
What can often be done remotely (interviews, rating scales, history)
Many core ADHD evaluation components can be done via telehealth:
Clinical interviews
Developmental and symptom history
Standardized rating scales and questionnaires
Collateral interviews (partner/parent input)
That multi-angle approach is consistent with how ADHD is typically diagnosed (history + rating scales + impairment review).[2,4]
When in-person components may be recommended
A provider may recommend in-person components when:
Learning disorder testing is needed
There are complex cognitive questions (brain injury, neurological concerns)
The clinical picture is unclear and more direct observation/testing is helpful
Also, a medical exam can sometimes be important for ruling out other causes of symptoms.[2,6]
Practical note: being physically located in TN for TN telehealth
Telehealth is regulated by licensure and location rules.
Tennessee law generally requires telehealth providers to be licensed in Tennessee and to meet the same professional standard of care as in-person services.[7]
Tennessee guidance emphasizes that licensure requirements apply in telehealth the same way they do for face-to-face care, and that cross-state care must follow each state’s licensing rules.[8]
Many telehealth rules apply to services delivered to patients physically located in Tennessee.[10]
Bottom line: If you book an “online ADHD assessment Tennessee,” plan to be physically in Tennessee at the time of the appointment unless your provider is also licensed where you are located.[8,10]
🔒 Key takeaway: Telehealth can cover a lot, but location and licensure matter. If you travel, tell your provider before your session.[7,8,10]
Step 4 — How to choose a provider (a quick checklist)
Experience with adult ADHD, women, and high-masking presentations
Ask whether the provider has experience with:
Adult ADHD (symptoms can look different than in childhood)[1,2]
Women and gender-diverse clients (often later diagnosis)
High-masking and high-achieving presentations
Co-occurring anxiety, trauma, OCD, insomnia, or autism traits
What to ask about measures used, report detail, and turnaround time
Use these questions as a quick script:
“What does your ADHD evaluation include (interview, rating scales, records review, collateral input)?”[1,2]
“Do you assess for common look-alikes like sleep, anxiety, depression, and learning issues?”[1,2,5,6]
“What deliverables do I receive: feedback session, diagnostic letter, full written report?”
“What is the typical turnaround time?”
“Will you coordinate with my PCP/psychiatry if I pursue medication?”
Red flags (one-visit “diagnosis,” no impairment review, no differential)
Be cautious if a provider:
Diagnoses ADHD in one short visit with no collateral or history
Doesn’t ask about onset and functioning across settings[1,5]
Ignores sleep, mood, trauma, or substance factors[1,2,5,6]
Won’t explain how they ruled out alternatives
🔍 Key takeaway: A good provider can explain why they reached a conclusion and what to do next, even if the answer isn’t ADHD.[1,2]
Step 5 — Prep for your evaluation without overdoing it
Records to gather (school history, past diagnoses, meds, therapy notes if relevant)
You don’t need a perfect binder. Helpful items include:
Past report cards, teacher comments, standardized testing summaries (if you have them)
Prior mental health or learning diagnoses
Medication history (what helped, what didn’t)
Sleep history (insomnia, apnea concerns, shift work)
Support person input (partner/parent/teacher) and why it helps
Clinicians may ask to gather input from someone who knows you well to understand how symptoms show up across contexts and over time.[2,4]
How to describe impact: home, work, relationships, health
Try this simple framework:
Tasks: What’s hard to start, sustain, finish?
Time: Where do you lose time, run late, miss deadlines?
Systems: What “scaffolds” are you already using to cope (alarms, overworking, all-nighters)?
Cost: What does it cost you (burnout, conflict, shame, health, job risk)?
Practical example: Instead of “I’m disorganized,” try “I miss deadlines unless I pull an all-nighter, and my partner is carrying the household logistics.”
Step 6 — After results: what comes next
Understanding the feedback session and written report
A good feedback session should:
Explain the results in plain language
Connect symptoms to real-life impairment[1,5]
Clarify what was ruled out (and why)
Provide recommendations you can actually use
Treatment planning (skills, coaching, therapy, medication referral pathways)
Many plans combine:
Skills + systems (executive function supports, routines, external scaffolding)
Therapy (emotion regulation, anxiety/depression support, trauma-informed care)
Medication referral when appropriate (through psychiatry or a medical provider)
If you want practical structure support alongside therapy, explore executive function coaching. If you’re looking for specialized clinical care, start with specialized therapy.
If ADHD isn’t the answer: what a good eval still gives you
A high-quality evaluation is still a win because it should:
Identify what is driving your symptoms[1,2,5,6]
Point to effective next steps
Give you language to advocate for your needs
If you’re ready to talk through options in Tennessee, you can learn more about our approach and team at Meet Us or reach out via Contact Us.
About ScienceWorks
Kiesa Kelly, PhD is the Owner & Psychologist at ScienceWorks Behavioral Healthcare. Her work includes psychological assessment and support for neurodivergent individuals, and she offers specialized services for ADHD, autism, OCD, trauma, and insomnia. (Learn more: Dr. Kiesa Kelly.)
ScienceWorks Behavioral Healthcare is a Tennessee-based, psychologist-led practice providing specialized care for neurodivergence and co-occurring concerns. If you’re exploring assessment or next-step supports, you can start with Psychological Assessments or Contact Us.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diagnosing ADHD. CDC; October 3, 2024 [accessed 2026 Jan 2]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/diagnosis/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ADHD in Adults: An Overview (ADHD across the lifetime). CDC; October 8, 2024 [accessed 2026 Jan 2]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/articles/adhd-across-the-lifetime.html
Wolraich ML, Hagan JF Jr, Allan C, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2019;144(4):e20192528. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). ADHD in Adults: 4 Things to Know. NIMH [accessed 2026 Jan 2]. Available from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd-what-you-need-to-know
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: What You Need to Know. NIMH [accessed 2026 Jan 2]. Available from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-what-you-need-to-know
Mayo Clinic. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children: Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic; March 7, 2025 [accessed 2026 Jan 2]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350895
Tennessee Code § 63-1-155 (2024). Telehealth and telemedicine services. [accessed 2026 Jan 2]. Available from: https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-63/chapter-1/part-1/section-63-1-155/
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Telehealth Guidelines (PDF). [accessed 2026 Jan 2]. Available from: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/mentalhealth/documents/Telehealth_Guidelines.pdf
Tennessee Code § 63-11-203 (2024). Practice of psychologist. [accessed 2026 Jan 2]. Available from: https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-63/chapter-11/part-2/section-63-11-203/
Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP). Tennessee State Telehealth Laws. Last updated August 25, 2025 [accessed 2026 Jan 2]. Available from: https://www.cchpca.org/tennessee/
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are in crisis or believe you may be in danger, call 988 or 911.
