The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder, strictly speaking, is made by endorsing a certain number of specific symptoms, and is not based on testing, per se. However, the diagnosis also states that the symptoms must not be due to some other disorder, such as a neurological problem, psychopathology or a medical problem. Therefore these other disorders must be screened in any assessment. Additionally, since learning disabilities are commonly found in ADD people, this should be assessed as well.
The Brief ADD Evaluation. The Brain Clinic provides special research project assessment for ADD teens and adults, which consists of a 4 1/2 hour testing battery. This consists of a screening for overall intelligence, attention and concentration measures, verbal and visual memory, reading speed and comprehension, and a personality assessment. The moderate cost evaluations are done on Saturdays, 10am-3pm, and the testing is done by a graduate student.
Full Attention Deficit Disorder Evaluation - 2 pg. Report. This includes a full intelligence battery in addition to the above, a continuous performance and an attention battery and a two page report is provided.
Full Attention Deficit Disorder Evaluation - Full Report. This includes the same full intelligence battery as the above, plus a personality assessment and a full report. This evaluation will satisfy most colleges.
Full Neuropsychological Evaluations. A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation performed by a senior staff member includes a full intelligence battery as well as measures of verbal and visual memory, executive functioning, academic abilities, a continuous performance and attention battery and a personality assessment. A neuropsychological evaluation is similar to the above evaluations, but some of the tests are different, emphasizing other kinds of cognitive abilities having to do with neurological disorders, such as visual and verbal memory, fine motor coordination, shifting of sets, and novel abstract reasoning.
A Note on Fees and Insurance Coverage:
For a list of fees with their description of the above, click here.
Sometimes insurance companies will reimburse neuropsychological evaluations, but it is very hard to predict how much they will cover. Your chances of getting reimbursed for the fee are increased a great deal if you get a prescription from a medical doctor (preferably a neurologist, family doctor or general practitioner) for a "Neuropsychological Evaluation," for cognitive problems which are noticed in the doctor's exam. It also helps if you have some aspect of your medical history which would suggest that a neuropsychological evaluation is a medical necessity. The CPT code for a neuropsychological evaluation is 96118. If you decide to inquire as to whether a neuropsychological evaluation is covered, use only the term “neuropsychological evaluation” and none of the other diagnostic terms mentioned above. Medical necessity is usually very important in getting reimbursed. Please note that the evaluations in which is graduate student does the testing is usually not available for reimbursement by insurance companies.
© 2003-2010 Lawrence Thomas