How Long Does an ADHD Evaluation Take — and What Happens During One?
An ADHD evaluation at a psychiatric practice typically takes 60 minutes. During that time, a board-certified provider takes a comprehensive history of your symptoms, reviews how they affect your daily functioning, and arrives at a clinical diagnosis. You leave the appointment knowing whether you have ADHD, what type, and what treatment looks like next.
What the Evaluation Actually Covers
The evaluation is a structured clinical conversation, not a test you pass or fail. The provider will ask about your current symptoms in detail — what you're experiencing, how long it's been happening, and how it's showing up at work, in relationships, and in daily tasks like managing time, organization, and follow-through.
They will also ask about your history — whether these patterns have been present since childhood, whether you struggled in school, and whether family members have been diagnosed with ADHD. This context matters because ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, meaning symptoms need to have been present from an early age even if they were never formally identified.
The provider will screen for other conditions that frequently co-occur with or mimic ADHD — anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and mood disorders — because accurate diagnosis depends on understanding the full picture, not just the most visible symptoms.
What Does Not Happen During a Psychiatric ADHD Evaluation
A psychiatric ADHD evaluation does not include neuropsychological testing, IQ assessment, or computerized cognitive testing. These are components of a neuropsychological assessment, which is a different and more extensive process conducted by a psychologist.
For most adults and teenagers seeking ADHD evaluation and medication management, a psychiatric evaluation is the appropriate and sufficient starting point. If neuropsychological testing is needed — for example, to rule out a learning disability or to meet a specific institutional requirement — your provider can refer you to a neuropsychologist. Skye Mental Health refers these cases to Dr. Char Houben, PhD, a licensed psychologist who sees patients across Michigan.
What Happens After the Evaluation
At the end of the appointment, the provider shares their clinical impression. If ADHD is diagnosed, they discuss the treatment plan — which for most patients involves medication management with either a stimulant or non-stimulant medication depending on their clinical profile, history, and preferences.
The provider will explain the medication options, what to expect, how to track your response, and when your follow-up appointment will occur. Follow-up appointments at Skye are 30 minutes or more and are scheduled based on clinical need.
If You Are Seeking Stimulant Medication
Patients coming to Skye seeking a stimulant prescription — Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, or similar medications — are required to have completed a formal ADHD evaluation with a licensed pediatrician, psychologist, therapist, or neuropsychological assessment practice before their first appointment. That evaluation report must be submitted to hello@skyementalhealth.com and reviewed by a Skye provider before an appointment is scheduled.
This applies to new patients transferring from another practice as well. A verbal history of a prior prescription or a pharmacy record is not sufficient. A documented evaluation report is required — no exceptions.
Skye prescribes extended-release stimulant formulations only. Requests for immediate-release medications will not be accommodated.
If you have not yet been evaluated, email hello@skyementalhealth.com to request a referral list of Michigan psychologists who offer ADHD evaluations and accept insurance and self-pay.
At Skye Mental Health, ADHD appointments are conducted via telehealth by Dr. Jennifer Sam, PMHNP-BC, DNP or Darla Dane, PMHNP-BC. Most major Michigan insurance plans are accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to prepare anything for an ADHD appointment at Skye?
If you are seeking stimulant medication, your prior evaluation report must be submitted before your appointment is confirmed. If you are seeking non-stimulant ADHD treatment or a general psychiatric evaluation, complete the scheduling form at skyementalhealth.com/get-started and the intake team will contact you.
Can I be evaluated for ADHD via telehealth at Skye?
Skye does not conduct the initial ADHD diagnostic evaluation — that must be completed by a psychologist, pediatrician, or similar licensed evaluator before you come to Skye. Skye's role is psychiatric medication management following a confirmed diagnosis.
What if I was diagnosed with ADHD by my previous provider and just need ongoing medication management?
Skye accepts patients transferring from other practices. You will still need to submit documentation of your prior formal evaluation — not just a prescription history — before your first appointment can be scheduled.
