5 Signs Your Child May Need ADHD Testing
Maybe you’ve noticed your child struggling, perhaps at home, in the classroom, or during homework.
The question “Does my child need ADHD testing?” is one I hear often at SoCal Child Psychology.
In this blog post, I will walk you through five key signs that suggest an evaluation may be helpful, explain how testing by a psychologist differs meaningfully from a pediatrician's screening, and describe how the evaluation report can support your child’s success at school.
Sign 1: Persistent Difficulty Maintaining Focus
If your child repeatedly struggles to stay focused across settings (home, school, peers), misses details, is distracted, or seems to daydream frequently, this may be a sign of ADHD.
While many kids can get distracted at times, when it affects their daily functioning, it can be cause for concern. When these behaviors occur in multiple settings and affect schoolwork, peer interactions, or family life, it aligns with the criteria for Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that a formal diagnosis involves symptoms present in at least two settings (for example, home and school)
Sign 2: Impulsivity, Interrupting, or Difficulty Waiting
Another common sign: your child acts without thinking, blurts out answers, interrupts peers, struggles to wait their turn, or has emotional/meltdown-type outbursts when demands increase.
While many children show this occasionally, if it is frequent, intense, or interfering with relationships and school, it warrants further attention.
Because ADHD symptoms often include impulsivity/hyperactivity, and when paired with inattention, they cause impairment. Recognizing these signs early is key to getting timely support.
Sign 3: Homework Battles, Organization & Time-Management
Perhaps more subtle but highly telling: your child consistently struggles with homework completion, staying organized, turning in assignments, recalling instructions, or managing time.
They may be bright, but their grades don’t reflect their potential. They may forget assignments, lose things, procrastinate, or show repeated patterns of “I forgot again.”
This is especially significant as academic demands increase as children age, and ADHD is often revealed or compounded by learning differences, executive function deficits, or school expectations.
Sign 4: Academic or Social Under-Performance vs Potential
When you see on one hand a child with clear strengths, and on the other hand consistent under-performance—whether in reading, writing, math, peer relationships, or self-esteem—it can signal that something like ADHD is getting in the way.
For example: a child who is creative, curious, articulate, but their grades lag, their teachers say they are capable but “not showing it,” or they avoid tasks because it’s so hard to start or stay focused until they are finished.
Sign 5: Co-occurring Concerns, Sleep/Anxiety/Learning Differences That Worsen the Picture
If your child also has sleep issues, anxiety, mood shifts, learning differences (dyslexia, dyscalculia), or behavioural issues, then the ADHD picture is often more complex, and thus a full evaluation becomes even more important.
The CDC emphasises that professionals must “rule out other conditions or identify co-occurring conditions” when diagnosing ADHD. This is especially important since ADHD is often accompanied by other concerns such as anxiety, depression, and learning disabilities.
Why Testing by a Psychologist Differs from Screening by a Pediatrician
What a Pediatrician/Primary Care Screening Typically Includes
A well-intentioned pediatrician or primary care provider will screen for ADHD by using a behavior checklist, an interview, and ruling out medical causes (vision/hearing/sleep/thyroid) as suggested by the CDC.
They may ask you and the teacher to complete rating scales, discuss symptom severity and impact, then make a recommendation or refer out if needed. This is a good first step, but it can be limited in depth, especially when learning/language issues, executive functioning deficits, or co-morbid conditions are present.
What a Licensed Child Psychologist’s Comprehensive Evaluation Includes
At SoCal Child Psychology, we conduct comprehensive psychological evaluations that go well beyond a simple screening.
Cognitive measures: Standardized tests of intelligence, working memory, processing speed, attention/executive functioning that identify strengths and weaknesses.
Academic achievement measures: Reading, writing, and math tests to check for learning differences or gaps. This academic snapshot often helps schools understand the full picture and helps to understand the ways in which your child may be struggling at school or at home.
Behavioral rating scales & interviews: From multiple contexts (home, school, often both) to assess symptom presence AND impairment.
School records review & teacher input: We pull your child’s school history, grades, homework completion, and we ask teacher input (often via rating scale or direct interview) to document how your child is performing in the classroom versus expectations.
Differential diagnosis & co-morbidities: We carefully examine whether the symptoms are better explained by anxiety, sleep disorder, language/learning disorder, depression, ASD, etc.
Detailed written report: With clear findings (strengths/weaknesses), diagnosis (if applicable), recommendations (home/school/therapy/medication discussion), and educational implications. This is a robust document with data, charts, and explanatory text.
Why This Matters for Parents in La Jolla / San Diego
When you have a detailed report, you’re better equipped to collaborate with your child’s school (in San Diego County or statewide) for IEPs, 504 plans, and accommodations.
You avoid “one size fits all” recommendations and instead get tailored strategies based on your child’s cognitive & academic profile.
You can confidently discuss medication or therapy with your pediatrician/psychiatrist, knowing the foundation is solid.
You are better able to unpack complex profiles (e.g., ADHD + anxiety + learning difference) and avoid misdiagnosis or delayed intervention.
What To Do If You Suspect ADHD
You may want ADHD testing if you’ve noticed:
persistent inattention across settings,
frequent impulsivity or emotional outbursts,
chronic homework or organizational struggles,
a gap between your child’s potential and performance,
and/or co-occurring academic, sleep, anxiety, or learning concerns.
At SoCal Child Psychology, we believe in a thorough psychological testing approach: cognitive testing, academic achievement testing, behavioral and teacher input, and a detailed report to guide you and your child’s school.
If you’ve taken your child to a pediatrician and you feel you’re still missing clarity, or you want a report that supports 504/IEP planning, it might be time for a full psychological evaluation.
Book a consultation with Dr. Carrie Jackson at our La Jolla-based practice (or via telehealth across California) to discuss whether an ADHD test makes sense for your child, what the testing process looks like, how long it takes, and how we partner with parents and schools.
Evaluations for Kids and Children with ADHD and Other Concerns
When your child is struggling with focus, behavior, or school performance, it can feel overwhelming to know what’s really going on. Our psychological evaluations at SoCal Child Psychology provide families across San Diego with answers and a roadmap for support.
From ADHD and learning differences to anxiety and other concerns, we use evidence-based assessments to identify your child’s unique needs. With this knowledge, you can advocate confidently at school and make informed choices about treatment. Reach out today to schedule a child ADHD evaluation in San Diego or La Jolla and give your family the clarity you deserve.
FAQ About ADHD Testing
Q: How long does a full ADHD psychological evaluation take, and how much does it cost?
A: It varies depending on the scope (age of child, number of tests, number of settings). Typical initial consultation followed by 2–3 testing sessions and a feedback session within 2 weeks.
Q: My child has average grades, but I still worry about attention and organization – should we test?
A: Yes, because ADHD or executive-function issues often show up more in “hidden ways” (time management, finishing tasks, organization, internal effort). The grade may appear average now, but it often requires extra effort, late nights, parent chasing, or work that doesn’t reflect potential. Testing can uncover patterns early.