ADHD testing for kids at Arbor Wellness Mental Healthcare in Las Vegas starts at age 6. Parents and teachers fill out forms, we review your child’s history, and we rule out anxiety, learning and sleep issues. Visits are in person or by telehealth anywhere in Nevada, and we accept Nevada Medicaid and most major insurance plans.
The first report card of the school year can say a lot. Maybe it came with comments like “has trouble staying on task” or “capable, but not finishing work.” If that sounds familiar, ADHD testing for kids can help you understand what’s really going on. At Arbor Wellness Mental Healthcare in Las Vegas, our board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners do ADHD evaluations for children 6 and up, in person or by telehealth anywhere in Nevada.
Here’s what parents can expect, from the first forms to a plan for home and school.
ADHD is one of the most common reasons families seek help. About 7 million US children ages 3 to 17, or 11.7%, have a current ADHD diagnosis, according to the CDC. You’re not overreacting by asking questions, and asking doesn’t mean your child will get a label they don’t need.
When should I get my child tested for ADHD?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting an ADHD evaluation for children who have trouble at school or with behavior plus symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity. Fall is a natural time to look closer, because the first report card and teacher conversations often show patterns that summer hid.
Signs worth paying attention to include:
- Trouble finishing classwork or homework, even when your child understands it
- Losing things, forgetting assignments or not following multi-step directions
- Being unable to stay seated, waiting a turn or keeping hands to themselves
- Daydreaming or “zoning out” much more than other kids their age
- Big frustration or meltdowns around homework
- Teacher comments that repeat from year to year
Every child has off days. What matters is whether these patterns show up often, in more than one place, and get in the way of learning, friendships or family life.
What does ADHD testing for kids look like?
There’s no single test for ADHD. A child’s evaluation gathers information from the people who know your child best, then looks for other explanations. At Arbor, it usually follows these steps:
- Forms from home. You fill out history forms and a standard parent rating scale online.
- Teacher input. With your permission, we send a rating form for your child’s teacher.
- Your child’s history. We talk with you about pregnancy and early development, health, sleep, school, friendships and family history.
- Time with your child. Your psychiatric nurse practitioner talks and plays with your child in a gentle, low-pressure way.
- Ruling out look-alikes. We check for anxiety, learning issues, sleep problems and other things that can look like ADHD.
- Results and a plan. We explain what we found and build a plan for home and school together.
Why does my child’s teacher need to fill out a form?
ADHD isn’t just a “school problem” or a “home problem.” The AAP says a diagnosis needs symptoms that show up in more than one major setting, and that information should come mainly from parents, teachers and other school staff.
Teachers see your child in a busy classroom alongside many other kids the same age. That view is hard to get any other way. We commonly use standard forms such as the NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scales, which have versions for parents and teachers.
If your child has more than one teacher, or spends time with a coach or caregiver, their input can help, too. You decide what we share and who we contact.
Is it ADHD, anxiety or a learning issue?
This is one of the most important questions in any child’s evaluation. Many conditions look like ADHD, and many kids have more than one. The CDC reports that nearly 78% of children with ADHD have at least one other condition, and about 4 in 10 have anxiety. That’s why the AAP recommends screening for anxiety, depression, learning and language problems, and sleep problems as part of every evaluation.
| What it could be | How it can look like ADHD | Clues we look for |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | Can’t focus, fidgety, avoids schoolwork | Worry, stomachaches or fear that comes before the focus problems |
| A learning difference (such as dyslexia) | Off task during reading or math, frustration, “not trying” | Trouble mostly in one subject, while focus is fine elsewhere |
| Sleep problems | Irritable, distracted, hyper in the afternoon | Snoring, late bedtimes, trouble waking up |
| Stress or big changes | Distracted, moody, acting out | A clear starting point, such as a move, new sibling or loss |
| ADHD | Inattention, restlessness or impulsivity | Long-standing patterns at home and school since early childhood |
If a learning difference seems likely, we’ll talk with you about asking the school for an educational evaluation. Sorting this out early means your child gets the right kind of help.
How do I explain the evaluation to my child?
Keep it simple and positive. You might say, “We’re going to meet someone who helps kids figure out what makes school and homework easier for their brain.” Let your child know there are no grades and no wrong answers.
Kids pick up on our worry, so a calm, matter-of-fact tone helps. If your child is nervous about a new place, a telehealth visit from home can feel easier.
What happens after an ADHD diagnosis?
Your provider will walk you through what the evaluation showed and answer your questions. If your child has ADHD, you’ll build a plan together. For school-age children, the AAP recommends a mix of approaches, and a plan may include:
- Parent training in behavior strategies, which helps at home
- Classroom supports and changes at school
- Therapy and skill-building for your child
- Medication management, if it’s right for your child
If your child doesn’t have ADHD, you’ll still leave with a clearer idea of what’s going on and what can help.
How do 504 plans and IEPs work in CCSD?
In the Clark County School District, a 504 plan gives a child classroom accommodations, such as extra time, a seat near the teacher or movement breaks. An IEP (Individualized Education Program) adds specialized instruction when a child qualifies for special education services.
A diagnosis doesn’t create either plan by itself, but it gives the school team important information. If your child is diagnosed, we help you develop a 504 plan or IEP and work toward the support your child needs at school. For a deeper look, read 504 Plan vs. IEP in CCSD: What Parents Actually Need to Know.
Can my child be evaluated by telehealth?
Yes. We see families by secure video anywhere in Nevada, as long as your child is physically in Nevada during the visit. You can also come to our office at 8687 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 100, in Las Vegas. Your provider may suggest an in-person visit when it would help, especially for younger children.
Does insurance cover ADHD testing for kids?
Many plans cover psychiatric evaluations for children, but what’s covered and what you pay depend on your plan. We accept Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Medicare, Nevada Medicaid, UMR and most major plans. Coverage varies by plan and provider, and we verify benefits before the first visit. See our Nevada Medicaid page or all insurance plans.
More reading for parents: Your Child’s Teacher Mentioned Focus Problems: What Happens Next and Is It ADHD or Just Being a Kid?. And if you’re starting to recognize yourself in your child, read Adult ADHD Testing in Las Vegas. We see parents, too.
How Arbor Wellness can help
Arbor Wellness Mental Healthcare is an outpatient psychiatric practice in Las Vegas. Our team of board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners, led by Dr. Nicole Gregorio, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, offers psychiatric evaluations, medication management and psychotherapy for children 6 and up, teens and adults of any age, so the whole family can get care in one place. See us in person at 8687 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89117, or by telehealth anywhere in Nevada. We accept most major insurance plans, including Nevada Medicaid, and verify your benefits before your first visit.
You don’t have to be sure before you ask. Learn more about ADHD care for kids, teens and adults, call or text 702-830-9588, or request an appointment online.
Frequently asked questions
- What age can a child be tested for ADHD?
The American Academy of Pediatrics guideline covers ADHD evaluation for children from age 4 through 18. At Arbor Wellness, we evaluate children 6 and up, plus teens and adults of any age. If your child is younger than 6, your pediatrician is a good first step, and we’re glad to help once your child turns 6. - Does my child’s teacher have to fill out forms?
Teacher input isn’t a rule for every family, but it’s very helpful. ADHD symptoms need to show up in more than one setting, and teachers see your child in a classroom with many kids the same age. With your permission, we send a standard rating form to your child’s teacher. You decide what we share and who we contact. - Should I wait until the end of the school year to get my child evaluated?
You don’t have to wait. Many parents find the fall is a good time, once the first report card and teacher comments show clear patterns. Getting answers earlier in the year gives you and the school more time to try supports that help. If your child is struggling now, it’s reasonable to ask about an evaluation now. - Can a child have ADHD and anxiety at the same time?
Yes, and it’s common. The CDC reports that about 4 in 10 children with ADHD also have anxiety. The two can look alike, because both can make it hard to focus and sit still. A careful evaluation looks at when symptoms started and what drives them, so your child’s plan treats what’s really going on. - Will my child have to take ADHD medication?
No. Medication is one option, never a requirement. For school-age children, plans often combine parent training, classroom supports and therapy, and medication management may be added if it’s right for your child. You and your provider decide together, and you can ask questions at every step before making any choice. - Can you help with a 504 plan or IEP?
Yes. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, we help you develop a 504 plan or IEP with your child’s school, including schools in the Clark County School District. A 504 plan can add classroom accommodations, and an IEP adds specialized instruction when a child qualifies. A diagnosis gives the school team important information to work with. - Do we need a referral from our pediatrician?
Most patients can see us without a referral, but it depends on your insurance plan. Some plans ask for one before a specialist visit. When we verify your benefits before your first visit, we’ll tell you whether your plan needs a referral. It also helps to let your pediatrician know you’re seeking an evaluation.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data on ADHD in Children. (About 7 million children ages 3-17, 11.7%, with a current diagnosis; nearly 78% with at least one other condition; about 4 in 10 with anxiety.)
- Wolraich ML, et al., American Academy of Pediatrics. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of ADHD in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics, 2019. (Ages 4-18; information from parents and teachers; more than one setting; screening for other conditions.)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diagnosing ADHD. (Asking parents and teachers about behavior in different settings; checking for other conditions.)
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nicole Gregorio, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
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