ADHD Doesn’t Have to Be Spooky: What to Know Before an ADHD Evaluation
October is ADHD Awareness Month, and part of that awareness is sharing information, understanding, and support with children, adults, and caregivers.
If you or someone you love is considering an ADHD evaluation, the process can sometimes feel overwhelming. But learning more about ADHD can be a helpful first step toward understanding yourself or your child and finding strategies that make everyday life a little easier.
What is ADHD?
According to the ADHD Awareness Month website, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults. It involves a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that can interfere with daily life or typical development.
People with ADHD may also experience challenges with attention, executive functioning—the brain's ability to start activities, organize, plan, and manage tasks—and working memory.
Here are a few things to know:
1. ADHD can look different from person to person
There isn't one single “ADHD look.” Symptoms and challenges can vary from person to person, which is one reason ADHD can sometimes be difficult to recognize.
If you have questions about behaviors or challenges you’re noticing in yourself or your child, talking with teachers, school counselors, your doctor, or a mental health professional can be a helpful place to start.
It’s also important to remember that some symptoms associated with ADHD can overlap with other mental health or developmental concerns, including anxiety, depression, or OCD. Talking with a qualified professional can help you better understand what may be contributing to the challenges you're experiencing.
2. Struggling with executive functioning doesn't mean you're lazy
Planning, prioritizing, organizing, starting tasks, remembering things, and managing time all involve executive functioning skills. For someone with ADHD, getting started can sometimes be the hardest part.
A task that seems simple to someone else can feel overwhelming when you're struggling to figure out where to begin or how to organize all the steps.
That doesn't mean you're lazy.
It means you may need different strategies and tools to make those tasks more manageable. Following an evaluation or diagnosis, individuals and families can work with their healthcare and mental health providers to develop skills and strategies that fit their needs.
3. ADHD isn't just about being hyperactive
For years, the common picture of ADHD was the hyperactive child—often a boy—who couldn't sit still, stay quiet, or calm down.
We now know that ADHD can look much different than that.
ADHD is generally described in three presentations: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. Each can look different in everyday life, and not everyone with ADHD will experience the same challenges.
You can learn more about ADHD symptoms and presentations here.
4. A diagnosis doesn't define you
If you or someone you love receives an ADHD diagnosis, it doesn't change who you are. Instead, it can provide helpful information about how your brain works and why certain things may feel more challenging.
That information can help you and your support team explore strategies that work for you, which may include therapy, medication, accommodations, organizational tools, or other supports.
And what works for you may change over time. A strategy that works well in elementary school, college, or one particular job may need to change as your environment and responsibilities change.
Understanding your ADHD can be a starting point for finding the tools and support that work best for you.
5. You don't have to figure everything out at once
One step. One strategy. One day at a time.
Starting the process of seeking an evaluation can feel like a lot, especially when you're already feeling overwhelmed. Give yourself permission to take it one step at a time.
You don't need to have all the answers right away. The goal is simply to better understand yourself or your child and find the support and strategies that can help you move forward.
6. Support can help—even if you're not seeking an evaluation
At Grace Therapy Collective, we don't provide ADHD evaluations, but we can recommend resources and providers who do.
We also work with many clients with ADHD to develop practical strategies for navigating everyday life. Therapy may focus on areas such as coping skills, executive functioning, emotional regulation, relationships, and everyday life skills.
You don't have to wait until you have everything figured out to ask for support.
ADHD may feel confusing sometimes, but understanding yourself doesn't have to be scary.
For more information about ADHD symptoms, diagnosis, and resources, check out this ADHD Awareness Month resource.
About Grace Therapy Collective
Located in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, Grace Therapy Collective provides compassionate mental health and speech therapy services for children, teens, and adults. Our team is dedicated to fostering resilience and growth in every stage of life through a warm, nonjudgmental environment.
Ready to take the next step? Visit our contact page to learn more or schedule an appointment today.
