ADHD Testing in California
Comprehensive evaluations by doctoral-level psychologists โ with the documentation you need for school, university, and workplace accommodations.
Why it matters
ADHD is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in California โ especially in adults and women
Many high-functioning individuals spend years struggling with focus, time management, and productivity without understanding why. According to the CDC, ADHD affects an estimated 1 in 9 children and a significant portion of adults โ yet remains widely underdiagnosed, particularly in women and high-achieving individuals. An accurate evaluation doesn't just confirm a diagnosis โ it gives you a roadmap: your specific cognitive profile, the accommodations you're legally entitled to, and a clear plan for treatment and support.
Accurate diagnosis you can trust
Our battery goes well beyond a checklist โ we use validated cognitive tests and rule out anxiety, learning disabilities, and other conditions that can mimic or mask ADHD.
Understand your unique cognitive profile
We map your specific strengths and challenges across attention, working memory, processing speed, and executive function โ giving you insight that generic diagnosis never provides.
Legal protection at school and work
A formal evaluation is the required first step to receiving accommodations under the ADA, California's FEHA, Section 504, and IDEA โ rights you already have but can't access without documentation.
The evaluation
What our ADHD evaluation covers
Our assessments are comprehensive by design. A diagnosis without full context is just a label. We build a complete picture so your report is clinically accurate, legally defensible, and immediately actionable โ following the APA's guidelines for psychological assessment.
Clinical interview
In-depth exploration of developmental history, academic and work performance, symptom onset, family history, and how ADHD is affecting your daily life right now.
Validated rating scales
Standardized self-report and collateral measures (e.g., Conners, BASC, Brown EF scales) calibrated to your age and gender โ including norms specific to adult presentations.
Objective cognitive testing
Performance-based measures of sustained attention, working memory, processing speed, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility โ the areas most impacted by ADHD.
IQ and learning screening
We assess whether a learning disability (dyslexia, dyscalculia, written expression) is co-occurring โ a critical step for accurate diagnosis and appropriate accommodations.
Emotional and mental health screening
We evaluate for anxiety, depression, and mood disorders that frequently co-occur with ADHD or can produce similar symptoms, ensuring diagnostic accuracy.
Detailed written report
A 20โ35 page report with your diagnosis, cognitive profile, and specific accommodation recommendations tailored to your school, employer, or testing organization's requirements.
Accommodations
What your evaluation can unlock
Our reports meet the documentation standards for every major accommodations pathway in California. Below are the most common accommodations clients receive with our evaluation.
๐ Kโ12 Schools
- Extended time on tests and assignments
- Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Section 504 Plan
- Small-group or separate testing room
- Preferential classroom seating
- Access to assistive technology
- Reduced homework volume
- Check-in/check-out support systems
๐ Colleges and Universities (UC, CSU, Private)
- Extended time (50% or 100% on exams)
- Reduced-distraction testing environments
- Note-taking accommodations
- Priority registration
- Assignment deadline flexibility
- Recording lectures
- Access to disability services office support
- SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT exam accommodations
๐ผ Workplace (ADA / FEHA)
- Flexible work hours or remote work
- Reduced-distraction workspace
- Additional time to complete tasks or projects
- Written instructions instead of verbal-only
- Noise-cancelling headphones or quiet space
- Structured check-ins with manager
- Assistive technology and software tools
- Modified deadlines or task sequencing
California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) provides broader disability protections than the federal ADA.
How it works
From first call to final report
A clear, supportive process from start to finish โ entirely virtual for most California clients.
Free 30-minute consultation
We talk through your concerns, history, and goals for testing. You'll learn what the evaluation will include, how long it takes, and whether our services are the right fit โ at no cost or obligation.
Pre-evaluation intake and forms
You complete background questionnaires and rating scales before your first session. We may also request records (prior testing, school records, medical history) to ensure our evaluation is thorough and defensible.
Assessment sessions (2โ4 hours)
Completed virtually via HIPAA-compliant video, or in-person at our San Diego location. Sessions include the clinical interview and objective cognitive testing. Most evaluations are completed in one or two sessions.
Feedback session
We walk you through your results in a dedicated session โ explaining your cognitive profile in plain language, answering your questions, and discussing our recommendations before the written report is finalized.
Detailed written report (10โ14 business days)
Your report is delivered securely โ 20โ35 pages covering your diagnosis, cognitive test results, and specific accommodation recommendations formatted for your school, employer, or testing organization. Expedited turnaround available for time-sensitive needs.
Who we help
Three California clients, three different paths
ADHD looks different depending on age, life stage, and how symptoms have been masked or managed. Below are composite case examples representing the types of clients we work with.
The challenge
Marcus was a curious, highly verbal teenager whose teachers consistently said he wasn't "applying himself." Despite an obvious aptitude for science and debate, his grades were inconsistent and he spent hours on assignments that should have taken 30 minutes. Testing revealed high verbal reasoning alongside significant deficits in processing speed and working memory, consistent with ADHD, Inattentive Presentation, alongside a mild written expression disorder that had gone undetected.
What the evaluation unlocked
What changed
Within one semester of accommodations, Marcus's grades stabilized and his anxiety decreased significantly. His parents understood for the first time that the struggle wasn't effort โ it was neurological. He now has documentation that will transfer to college disability services when he applies.
The challenge
Priya had a 3.9 GPA but consistently underperformed on timed standardized tests. The MCAT's time pressure consistently derailed her โ she ran out of time on sections she understood completely. She had never been evaluated for ADHD because she "got good grades." Our evaluation revealed ADHD, Combined Presentation, with pronounced difficulties with sustained attention under timed conditions โ precisely the profile that classroom performance masks but high-stakes exams expose.
What the evaluation unlocked
What changed
With MCAT accommodations, Priya improved her score by 7 points โ a result that opened medical school doors that had previously seemed closed. Our report was accepted by the AAMC on first submission because it explicitly addressed their documentation requirements.
The challenge
Diane had thrived in fast-paced, creative roles for 15 years โ but a promotion requiring sustained report writing, long meetings, and complex project tracking exposed her. She was working 60-hour weeks just to stay even and beginning to question her competence. Our evaluation identified ADHD, Combined Presentation โ diagnosed late (as it is in the majority of women) because her strengths had compensated until the demands exceeded them.
What the evaluation unlocked
What changed
Diane's HR team accepted our documentation under California's FEHA. She now has a quiet office for complex work, flexibility in her schedule, and her first clear language for what she's always experienced. She described the evaluation as "the first time in my career I feel like the playing field is finally level."
* All cases are composite examples representing common client presentations. No identifying information reflects any individual client.
Investment
Transparent pricing with no surprises
We believe you should understand the cost before you schedule. Below is our California pricing for ADHD evaluations.
Standard Evaluation
$1,750
ADHD evaluation with standard battery
- Clinical interview (60โ90 min)
- Rating scales and self-report measures
- Core cognitive and attention testing
- Mental health screening
- Feedback session
- Detailed written report
- Superbill for insurance reimbursement
Comprehensive Evaluation
$2,000โ2,500
ADHD + learning disability + full cognitive battery
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Full IQ / cognitive ability assessment
- Learning disability screening (reading, math, writing)
- Executive function battery
- Exam accommodation-ready report format
- Report tailored to LSAC, AAMC, and other org requirements
- Expedited turnaround option available
Why Precision Psychological Assessments
California clients choose us for a reason
We are a small group of senior-level psychologists โ not a testing mill. Every evaluation is conducted by a doctoral-level clinician with at least 10 years of assessment experience.
Years average experience per evaluating psychologist
Measures in our assessment library to build the right battery for you
Senior doctoral-level psychologists โ no trainees, no technicians
Initial 30-minute consultation before you commit to anything
Your evaluator
Led by Dr. Alan Jacobson, Psy.D., MBA
Every California evaluation is conducted or directly supervised by a senior clinician. You'll always work with someone who has done this work for years, not a trainee learning on your case.
Dr. Alan S. Jacobson, Psy.D., MBA
Founder & Chief Psychologist ยท Center for Applied Psychological Science
Dr. Jacobson is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in comprehensive psychological testing, diagnostic assessment, and high-stakes accommodations evaluations. He has particular expertise in ADHD, executive functioning, anxiety, learning differences, and performance optimization across academic and professional contexts. He holds both a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and an MBA, bringing an unusually practical lens to understanding how ADHD affects performance in high-stakes environments.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about ADHD testing in California
Answers to the questions we hear most โ written to help you decide if an evaluation is right for you.
Ready to get started?
Schedule your free consultation today
A 30-minute call at no cost or obligation. We'll answer your questions, explain exactly what your evaluation will include, and help you decide if this is the right step for you.
Virtual evaluations available statewide ยท In-person in San Diego ยท PsyPACT licensed
