ADHD evaluations
ADHD Evaluations for Children and Teens
When your child seems capable but everything still feels like a struggle
Serving Long Island & Queens, NY
Dr. Courtney Duhning, Psy.D., ABSNP, NCSPPediatric Neuropsychologist · Manhasset, NY
Most parents who reach out aren’t starting from scratch.
You may have already:
- Heard “it’s probably ADHD”
- Tried strategies that didn’t stick
- Been told your child is “doing fine” on paper
But you’re seeing something different at home:
- Work that should take 20 minutes takes hours
- Simple tasks turn into shutdowns or arguments
- Effort doesn’t translate into results
- Your child seems capable but not able to show it consistently
And at some point, the question becomes:
“Is this ADHD?” to “What are we missing?”
It Might Be ADHD… But It’s Often More Complicated
Many of the families I work with come in after:
A quick diagnosis that didn’t fully explain things
School testing that missed key challenges
Trying supports that didn’t actually help
What we look for
Common signs we evaluate for ADHD
- Difficulty sustaining attention (especially for non-preferred tasks)
- Disorganization and forgetfulness
- Impulsivity or acting without thinking
- Trouble starting or completing work
- Emotional dysregulation or frustration tolerance challenges
Many of the children I see are bright, capable, and misunderstood. They are working much harder than it appears just to keep up.
What “Complex ADHD” Can Look Like
Your child might:
- Seem very bright verbally, but struggle to start or complete work
- Do well in conversation—but fall apart with multi-step tasks
- Have intense reactions, shutdowns, or emotional overwhelm
- Be labeled “lazy,” “unmotivated,” or “not trying”—even when they are
- Hyperfocus on interests, but avoid schoolwork completely
- Struggle socially in ways that don’t quite fit a clear category
- Have a diagnosis—but it still doesn’t explain everything
This is where a more in-depth evaluation matters.
Why ADHD Is Often Misunderstood
Not all ADHD looks the same.
And sometimes, it’s not ADHD at all.
Difficulties with attention and follow-through can also come from:
Learning differences (reading, writing, math)
Anxiety or perfectionism
Executive functioning weaknesses
Other neurodevelopmental profiles that affect how a child processes information
What a Comprehensive ADHD Evaluation Actually Answers
This is not a quick screener or checklist.
A full neuropsychological evaluation helps answer:
- Is this truly ADHD?
- If so, what type and how is it impacting daily functioning?
- What else is contributing to the struggles?
- Is there also a learning disability?
- What supports will actually help?
We look at the whole child, including:
- Attention and executive functioning
- Learning profile (reading, writing, math)
- Cognitive strengths and weaknesses
- Memory and processing
- Receptive and expressive language
- Emotional functioning (anxiety, frustration tolerance, mood)
- Real-world functioning at home and school
What you walk away with
This is not a brief screening or checklist-based evaluation.
Parents often tell me the biggest relief is finally understanding their child.
After the evaluation, you’ll have:
Clear diagnostic answers (if appropriate)
A detailed, parent-friendly report
Specific, individualized recommendations for school and home
Guidance around 504 plans or IEP supports, when needed
A roadmap for next steps, so you’re not guessing anymore
Why families choose a private neuropsychological evaluation
School-based testing can be helpful, but is often designed to determine eligibility — not to fully understand your child.
Many parents reach out when:
- School testing said everything was “average” but daily life says otherwise
- Their child was diagnosed with ADHD, but treatment hasn’t helped enough
- They’re getting conflicting feedback from teachers, therapists, or pediatricians
- They want a clearer understanding before starting or adjusting medication
- They’re advocating for supports and need stronger documentation
You’re not overreacting. There’s usually a reason things feel this hard.
Why Work With Dr. Duhning
Dr. Duhning is a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist with specialized training in both clinical evaluation and the school system.
Her background as a practicing, nationally certified school psychologist — including experience with IEP and 504 processes — allows her to provide not just diagnostic clarity, but meaningful guidance on how to apply results in real-world settings.
Families often choose this practice when they are looking for:
- a more precise and individualized understanding
- clear explanations — not confusing reports
- recommendations they can actually use at home and in school
From parents
"The school kept telling us everything looked fine, but as a parent, I knew my child was still struggling. This evaluation finally looked deeper than the basics. We now understand how our child learns and why school felt so hard."
Parent of a 6th grader"Dr. Duhning made the evaluation process very smooth. She scheduled the evaluation right away and completed the report quickly. It feels good to know what to ask the school for to help my kid."
Parent of a 2nd grader"We had suspected dyslexia for years but never had clear answers. This evaluation gave us the direction we needed."
Parent of an 8th grader"Teachers said our child was ‘doing okay,’ but we knew something wasn’t right. The evaluation confirmed our concerns and explained why our child was working so much harder than peers. We finally felt heard."
Anonymous"After the feedback meeting, we felt an enormous sense of relief. We finally had answers."
Parent of a 7th grader"This evaluation helped us make sense of struggles we had been seeing for years."
Parent of 6th graderYou’re not just receiving scores. You’re gaining clarity and direction.
This is a private-pay, comprehensive evaluation process designed to be:
- Comprehensive
- Highly individualized
- Collaborative with families (and schools, when appropriate)
Get in Touch
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