Why Comprehensive ADHD Testing Matters
By Laura LaMonica, PMHNP-BC
When a child is constantly losing focus, melting down over small frustrations, or getting into trouble at school, parents often find themselves asking the same quiet, worried question: Is this ADHD—or is something else going on?
Attention problems rarely exist in isolation. What looks like ADHD on the surface can actually be anxiety, trauma, a learning difference, autism, mood instability, or a combination of several factors. Each of those requires a very different approach. Without a careful evaluation, well-intentioned families can end up chasing the wrong explanation—and the wrong solutions.
That’s why I don’t simply “test for ADHD.” I conduct comprehensive evaluations designed to understand your child as a whole person: how they think, feel, regulate emotions, learn, and interact with the world around them. A label alone doesn’t help a child. Understanding does.
Misdiagnosis can send families down frustrating paths—trying strategies that don’t work, starting medications that miss the mark, or overlooking supports that could make a real difference. At the same time, under-identifying ADHD or autism (especially in girls, gifted children, or emotionally sensitive kids) often means children struggle quietly without accommodations or validation. A thorough evaluation provides clarity. It answers not just what is happening, but why—and what to do next.
What’s Included in My ADHD Evaluation
At Leva Psychiatry in Virginia Beach, ADHD evaluations for children and teens are comprehensive and individualized. This is not a quick checklist or a one-size-fits-all screener. The goal is to understand patterns across settings, time, and development.
Comprehensive Interview and Behavioral Assessment
I utilize gold-standard tools completed by parents and, when appropriate, teachers. It helps assess a wide range of areas, including:
ADHD symptoms (inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or combined presentation)
Emotional regulation and mood symptoms
Anxiety and depression
Oppositional behaviors
Social skills and peer relationships
Executive functioning challenges
Internalizing symptoms and somatic complaints
This allows us to see patterns that may not be obvious in a single setting.
Parent and Teacher Input
Children often look very different at home than they do at school. Gathering information from multiple environments gives a more accurate and balanced picture of how your child is functioning day to day.
Clinical Interview and Developmental History
We explore early development, learning style, attention patterns, emotional responses, sensory sensitivities, social development, and family context. These details matter. They often explain why certain behaviors show up and what supports will actually help.
Differential Diagnosis Assessment
Attention problems are not always ADHD. As part of the evaluation, I carefully screen for conditions that can mimic or overlap with ADHD, including:
Autism spectrum differences
Anxiety disorders and mood instability
Learning disabilities
Trauma-related stress responses
Executive function difficulties without ADHD
Behavioral or oppositional patterns
This step is important. Treating the wrong condition—or only part of the picture—can delay meaningful progress.
What You’ll Receive After the Evaluation
Families leave with more than a diagnosis. You’ll receive:
A clear, jargon-free diagnostic report you can actually understand
A personalized summary of your child’s strengths as well as their challenges
Practical, evidence-based recommendations for school, home, and clinical care
Access to carefully selected resources, books, tools, and next steps to support ongoing growth
The goal is not just answers—but direction and confidence moving forward.
When the Right Understanding Changes Everything
When children are properly understood, everything shifts. Parents stop blaming themselves. Kids stop feeling “broken” or “bad.” Teachers can support more effectively. Interventions start working.A thoughtful evaluation can be the turning point that helps a child feel seen—and helps a family move forward with clarity and hope.
Call to schedule an ADHD or autism evaluation today.