Adult ADHD Assessment
Adult ADHD AssessmentAdult ADHD Assessment
Virtual adult ADHD assessments with a Registered Psychologist, from Milton to anywhere in Ontario.
Many adults reach their twenties, thirties or later before anyone mentions ADHD. They may have done well in school through effort and late nights, built clever workarounds, or been told they were lazy, scattered or "not living up to their potential". Often it's a new job, a degree program, parenthood, or a child's diagnosis that makes them wonder about themselves.
An adult ADHD assessment with a Registered Psychologist takes a careful look at your history and current life to understand whether ADHD explains your experience, and what would help.
Common reasons adults seek an assessment
- Chronic procrastination, missed deadlines or unfinished projects
- Trouble staying focused in meetings, reading or conversations
- Forgetfulness and disorganization at work and at home
- Restlessness, impulsive decisions or difficulty slowing down
- Feeling overwhelmed, burned out or behind despite working hard
- A child or family member's recent ADHD diagnosis
What the assessment involves
Because ADHD begins in childhood, an adult assessment looks at your whole history as well as your life now. Dr. Kerris will interview you about your development, school, work, relationships and health, and ask you to complete standardized questionnaires. With your permission, someone who knows you well, such as a parent, sibling or partner, may also complete questionnaires. Old report cards can be helpful if you have them, but they aren't required.
Anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep problems and other conditions can look like ADHD or happen alongside it, so the assessment considers these too. Additional testing may be used where it helps answer the question.
After the assessment
In a feedback session, Dr. Kerris explains whether you meet the criteria for ADHD and what the results mean for you, including your strengths. Your written report includes practical recommendations, and it can support requests for workplace or academic accommodations and a conversation with your doctor about treatment options.
Many people find an assessment is the start of understanding themselves differently. If you'd like support afterward, our team also offers ADHD-informed therapy.
Why Choose a Comprehensive Assessment Rather Than an Online Quiz?
Online ADHD and Autism quizzes or screening questionnaires can be useful starting points, but they cannot officially establish a diagnosis.
A comprehensive assessment by a psychologist goes further by examining developmental history, current functioning, strengths, challenges, and the possible influence of other psychological, medical, or environmental factors.
This means that, rather than relying on a single questionnaire score, Dr. Kerris integrates information from multiple sources using professional clinical judgment.
The goal isn't simply to determine whether someone meets diagnostic criteria. It's to develop a meaningful clinical picture that can guide appropriate recommendations and next steps.
About Dr. Kerris Oates
Assessments are provided by Dr. Kerris Oates, Ph.D., C.Psych., a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario since 2008. She has worked in private practice, multidisciplinary medical clinics, educational settings and specialized mental health programs, and is an Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster University's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. Her approach is warm, collaborative, culturally responsive and strengths-based.
Our Team
Your Psychologist
Read a therapist's profile to learn about their approach, or book a free consultation and we'll help you find the right fit.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can adults be assessed for ADHD in Ontario without a referral?
Yes. You can book an adult ADHD assessment directly with a Registered Psychologist. Some insurance plans ask for a doctor's referral to reimburse, so check your plan.
Do I need someone who knew me as a child?
It's helpful but not required. Information from a parent, sibling or old report cards adds to the picture; if those aren't available, Dr. Kerris will work with what you have.
How thorough is an online assessment?
Dr. Kerris conducts adult ADHD assessments virtually using interviews, questionnaires and testing adapted for secure video. She'll explain the process at your first consultation and let you know if anything about your situation calls for a different approach.
Can the psychologist prescribe ADHD medication?
Psychologists in Ontario can assess and diagnose ADHD, but they don't prescribe medication. If medication is something you'd like to explore, you can share the report with your family doctor, paediatrician or psychiatrist.
Is an adult ADHD assessment covered by insurance?
Private psychological assessments aren't covered by OHIP. Many extended health benefit plans cover services by a Registered Psychologist, usually up to an annual maximum, and we provide a receipt for you to submit. Contact us for current assessment fees, and check your plan's coverage before you start.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Book online or contact us to get started. Assessments are completed virtually, so you or your child can take part from home anywhere in Ontario.