Adult ADHD has been historically underdiagnosed.
Adult ADHD evaluations are needed due to increasing awareness and a growing recognition of the condition’s impact on adults. Reduced stigma and heightened awareness, especially following the pandemic, instant gratification, constant distractions, and overstimulation from the internet and social media have led more individuals to seek help.
Despite the rising demand,
obtaining an ADHD evaluation remains difficult.
Despite the rising demand, obtaining an ADHD evaluation remains difficult. A shortage of trained clinicians, complex diagnostic criteria, persistent stigma, and barriers to accessing care have created significant hurdles. Neuropsychologists are overburdened with demand.
Delays in evaluation and diagnosis prolong the suffering.
Delays in evaluation and diagnosis prolong the suffering of adults who have struggled with ADHD symptoms since childhood. These individuals miss out on vital workplace and educational protections under the ADA and lack access to effective pharmacotherapy.
Psychologists are uniquely positioned.
Psychologists are uniquely positioned to address this growing need, given their expertise in psychological evaluations and psychometric testing. However, many psychologists may feel they lack the time to pursue continuing education to develop a specialty in ADHD evaluations.
Physicians and psychiatrists are increasingly relying on psychologists.
With physicians and psychiatrists increasingly relying on psychometric testing and diagnostic evaluations, expanding expertise in this area allows the psychologist to meet a critical need and improve lives.
