Eagle View Psychiatry

Our Approach to ADHD Testing and Treatment

This article summarizes Eagle View Psychiatry’s approach to testing and treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While we approach each case individually, this is a generally summary of how we address ADHD testing, diagnosis and treatment. Both testing and treatment is usually covered by most health insurance carriers. Please click check insurance and review the insurance carriers we accept. If your carrier is not listing, please submit the details of your coverage. We’ll let you know if we can accept it.

ADHD Testing

We partner with a company called QBTech to administer ADHD tests. QbTest is an FDA-cleared, objective 15–20 minute computer-based assessment for ADHD that measures inattention, impulsivity, and motor activity (hyperactivity) in children and adults ages 6-60. It uses a webcam and a headband with a marker to track movements while the patient responds to on-screen stimuli.

The entire test takes about 20 minutes, and breaks are allowed—which makes it manageable for children who may feel anxious. The test measures reaction time, errors, and motor activity against data from more than 200,000 individuals worldwide. Within minutes, our psychiatrists and nurse practitioners can determine whether clinically significant ADHD traits exist and share color-coded graphs that make test results easy to understand. Our ADHD tests can be administered online or in-office based on the patients preferences and needs.

Gathering Other Information

In addition to ADHD testing, we use other information gathering techniques when assessing patients for ADHD. These include interviews to discuss medical and developmental history, family history of ADHD and related conditions, description of symptoms and when they began, and impact on school, work and social life.

ADHD Treatment

Once a diagnosis of ADHD has been made, treatment may include behavioral therapies and counseling, medications, or a combination of both.

Behavioral Therapies and Counseling

Behavioral therapy focuses on improving organization, time management, and emotional regulation, particularly for adults. For younger children, behavioral classroom management and parent training are recommended before medication. In addition, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be used to help manage daily challenges with planning and impulsive behavior.

ADHD Medications

There are two types of ADHD medications: stimulants and non-stimulants. Stimulants are often considered the first-line treatment for both children and adults, designed to increase brain chemical messengers (dopamine/norepinephrine) to improve focus and reduce impulsivity. Common examples include amphetamines (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).

Non-stimulants are generally used if stimulants cause side effects, are ineffective, or cannot be taken due to health conditions. Examples include atomoxetine (Strattera), guanfacine (Intuniv), and clonidine (Kapvay).

Treatment Effectiveness and Considerations

Research indicates that a combination of medication and behavioral treatment is usally the most effective approach for managing ADHD symptoms at home and in school. While medication can be fast-acting, side effects like decreased appetite or insomnia may occur. Our ADHD treatment plans are highly individualized, often requiring adjustment of medication dosage or type to find the best fit.