ADHD Philadelphia Patient Journey: How Adult ADHD Evaluation & Treatment Works
If you are wondering what it is actually like to begin care with ADHD Philadelphia, this page walks you through the process from your first appointment through adult ADHD evaluation, testing, diagnostic results, treatment planning, and ongoing care.
ADHD Philadelphia provides structured adult ADHD evaluation and treatment for adults throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware through secure telehealth, with in-person appointments available after the initial telehealth visit when clinically appropriate.
Because adults seek ADHD evaluations for different reasons, ADHD Philadelphia offers two evaluation pathways:
ADHD Evaluation + Ongoing Care — $300 total initial evaluation
or
ADHD Testing & Evaluation Only — $500 comprehensive standalone diagnostic evaluation
Not sure which pathway fits what you are looking for? A free 10-minute consultation is available to help you understand the options before beginning an evaluation.
Start Here: Choose the ADHD Evaluation Pathway That Matches Your Goal
The biggest question is not simply, “Do I want ADHD testing?”
Instead, consider what you want to happen after your evaluation.
Pathway 1 — ADHD Evaluation + Ongoing Care
Choose this pathway if you want to determine whether you have ADHD and plan to establish ongoing ADHD treatment with ADHD Philadelphia if continued care is clinically appropriate.
Total initial evaluation: $300
$150 Initial ADHD Consultation
$150 ADHD Testing & Results Appointment
After the initial evaluation, ongoing ADHD treatment and medication-management appointments are $150 each.
Pathway 2 — ADHD Testing & Evaluation Only
Choose this pathway if your primary goal is a comprehensive ADHD diagnostic evaluation but you do not plan to establish ongoing ADHD treatment with ADHD Philadelphia at the time of the evaluation.
Total comprehensive standalone evaluation: $500
This pathway may be appropriate if you are seeking:
Diagnostic clarification
Comprehensive adult ADHD evaluation
ADHD testing
Diagnostic documentation
Evaluation findings that may become part of care provided elsewhere
Because this is a comprehensive standalone diagnostic service, the exact components required can vary according to the individual evaluation.
COMPARE BOTH ADHD EVALUATION OPTIONS
Pathway 1: ADHD Evaluation + Ongoing Care
Step 1 — Initial Adult ADHD Consultation: $150
Your formal evaluation begins with a secure telehealth consultation.
After scheduling, intake information is provided through the secure patient portal. Completing requested forms before your appointment allows more of your appointment time to focus on your symptoms, history, functioning, and concerns.
During the initial ADHD consultation, the clinical evaluation may review:
Current ADHD symptoms
Childhood and developmental history
Attention difficulties
Executive-function challenges
Functional impairment
Work and academic functioning
Relationships
Daily responsibilities
Organization
Procrastination
Time management
Working memory
Task initiation
Follow-through
Mental health history
Medical history
Sleep
Current medications
Substance-use considerations
Possible alternative explanations for symptoms
Possible co-occurring conditions
Adult ADHD symptoms can overlap with anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, chronic stress, substance use, medical conditions, medication effects, and other concerns.
For that reason, the purpose of the first appointment is not simply to confirm whether you identify with ADHD symptoms.
It is to understand the broader clinical picture.
Learn more about how adult ADHD is diagnosed in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Step 2 — ADHD Testing & Results Appointment: $150
When ADHD testing is part of the evaluation, structured testing and standardized questionnaires provide additional clinical information.
Testing may help evaluate areas such as attention, impulsivity, cognitive performance, or executive functioning.
However, ADHD testing does not diagnose ADHD by itself.
Testing findings are interpreted together with:
Your clinical history
Developmental history
Current symptoms
Relevant childhood symptoms
Functional impairment
Work and academic functioning
Mental health history
Medical history
Other relevant clinical information
Computerized testing, rating scales, and questionnaires support the diagnostic process. They do not replace an appropriate clinical evaluation or professional diagnostic judgment.
Learn more about Adult ADHD Testing & Evaluation in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Step 3 — Review Your Diagnostic Findings
Your testing results and broader clinical findings are integrated before a diagnostic conclusion is reached.
The goal is not simply to obtain a test score.
The goal is to determine whether ADHD best explains the difficulties you are experiencing while considering relevant alternative or co-occurring conditions.
Your findings are reviewed with you, and you have an opportunity to discuss what they mean.
If ADHD is diagnosed, the next step is determining what treatment approach is appropriate for your individual needs.
Step 4 — Create an Individualized ADHD Treatment Plan
An ADHD diagnosis does not mean that every patient receives the same treatment.
Your treatment plan may consider:
Your most impairing ADHD symptoms
Executive-function difficulties
Work or academic demands
Daily responsibilities
Medical history
Psychiatric history
Previous treatment
Current medications
Treatment goals
Risks and potential contraindications
Personal preferences
Response to treatment over time
Treatment may include:
ADHD education
Medication management when clinically appropriate
Stimulant medication when appropriate
Non-stimulant medication
Medication monitoring
Executive-function strategies
Behavioral strategies
Lifestyle and environmental approaches
Therapy or ADHD coaching recommendations when appropriate
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis does not guarantee that medication or stimulant medication will be prescribed.
Medication decisions are individualized and based on clinical appropriateness and safety.
Learn more about Adult ADHD Treatment & Medication Management in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
If you are considering stimulant treatment, also review the ADHD Philadelphia Medication Management & Stimulant Treatment Policy.
Step 5 — Begin Ongoing ADHD Care
After the initial diagnostic process, adults who establish ongoing care with ADHD Philadelphia may continue treatment through follow-up appointments.
Ongoing treatment appointments are $150 each.
Depending on your individual treatment plan, ongoing care may include:
Medication management
Medication adjustment
Monitoring treatment response
Monitoring potential side effects
Reviewing ADHD symptoms
Assessing functional improvement
Executive-function strategies
Behavioral strategies
Treatment planning
Continued assessment of health and safety considerations
The objective is not simply to reduce a symptom score.
The larger goal is to help improve functioning in areas that matter in daily life—such as focus, organization, follow-through, task completion, productivity, time management, relationships, and overall stability.
Explore the Executive Function in Adults With ADHD Resource Center to learn more about the skills that commonly affect everyday functioning.
START ADHD EVALUATION + ONGOING CARE
Pathway 2: ADHD Testing & Evaluation Only
$500 Comprehensive Standalone Diagnostic Evaluation
The second pathway is different.
It is designed for adults whose primary goal is a comprehensive ADHD diagnostic evaluation without establishing ongoing ADHD treatment with ADHD Philadelphia at the time of the evaluation.
This may be appropriate if:
You want diagnostic clarification
You are primarily seeking an ADHD evaluation
You need diagnostic documentation
You expect ongoing treatment to occur elsewhere
You want your evaluation findings available as part of care provided by another healthcare professional
The purpose of this pathway is comprehensive diagnostic assessment rather than establishing an ongoing treatment relationship with ADHD Philadelphia.
Step 1 — Complete the Required Diagnostic Evaluation
The standalone evaluation may include:
Detailed clinical diagnostic assessment
Current ADHD symptom review
Childhood and developmental history
Functional impairment assessment
Work and academic functioning
Executive-function difficulties
Medical history
Psychiatric history
Sleep
Medication review
Substance-use considerations
ADHD testing
Standardized questionnaires
Differential-diagnosis considerations
Records review when required
Collateral information when clinically appropriate
Other information needed to reach an appropriate diagnostic conclusion
Not every adult requires exactly the same evaluation components.
The information needed depends on the individual's presentation and the clinical questions that must be resolved.
Step 2 — Complete ADHD Testing and Requested Information
Depending on your evaluation, you may be asked to complete computerized ADHD testing, standardized questionnaires, provide relevant records, or provide other requested information.
Testing is interpreted as part of the larger evaluation.
Again, a computerized ADHD test alone does not establish an ADHD diagnosis.
A complete diagnostic evaluation considers your history, symptoms, functioning, impairment, developmental patterns, and relevant alternative explanations together.
Step 3 — Clinical Integration and Diagnostic Conclusion
Once the required evaluation components have been completed, the available information is reviewed and integrated.
This may include:
Clinical interview findings
ADHD symptoms
Developmental history
Functional impairment
Testing findings
Standardized questionnaires
Relevant records
Collateral information when applicable
Psychiatric considerations
Medical considerations
Differential diagnosis
The objective is to reach the most clinically appropriate diagnostic conclusion based on the information available.
Step 4 — Results, Recommendations & Diagnostic Documentation
Your findings and recommendations are reviewed with you.
When appropriate, diagnostic documentation is prepared based on the completed evaluation.
Diagnostic Documentation Timeline
Diagnostic documentation is generally completed within 7 days after all required appointments, testing, questionnaires, records, and requested information have been completed and received.
The seven-day period begins when the required diagnostic evaluation is complete.
It does not necessarily begin after your first appointment.
The $500 ADHD Testing & Evaluation Only pathway is a standalone diagnostic service and does not include ongoing ADHD treatment appointments.
START ADHD TESTING & EVALUATION ONLY
What If I Am Not Sure Which Pathway I Need?
You do not have to guess.
The primary difference is what you are seeking when you begin the evaluation.
Choose ADHD Evaluation + Ongoing Care — $300 if:
You want to determine whether you have ADHD
You plan to establish ongoing ADHD care with ADHD Philadelphia if appropriate
You are interested in continued treatment or medication management when clinically appropriate
You want an ongoing treatment relationship with ADHD Philadelphia
Initial evaluation: $300
$150 Initial ADHD Consultation
+
$150 ADHD Testing & Results Appointment
Ongoing appointments: $150 each
Choose ADHD Testing & Evaluation Only — $500 if:
Your primary goal is a comprehensive ADHD diagnostic evaluation
You do not plan to establish ongoing treatment with ADHD Philadelphia at the time of the evaluation
You are primarily seeking diagnostic clarification or documentation
You expect your continuing treatment to occur elsewhere
Comprehensive standalone evaluation: $500
Diagnostic documentation is generally completed within 7 days after all required evaluation components and requested information have been completed and received.
What If I Start Ongoing Care and My Circumstances Later Change?
Patients remain free to make healthcare decisions as their needs and circumstances change.
The distinction between the two evaluation pathways is based on the service you are seeking when you begin the evaluation.
If you already know that you are primarily seeking a standalone diagnostic evaluation and plan to continue treatment elsewhere, the $500 ADHD Testing & Evaluation Only pathway is the appropriate starting option.
ADHD Testing Is Only One Part of Diagnosis
It is important to distinguish between ADHD testing and a comprehensive ADHD evaluation.
Testing may provide useful structured information.
Diagnosis requires a broader clinical assessment.
A comprehensive adult ADHD evaluation may consider:
Current symptoms
Childhood and developmental history
Functional impairment
Symptoms across relevant areas of life
Medical history
Psychiatric history
Sleep
Current medications
Substance-use considerations
Possible alternative explanations
Possible co-occurring conditions
Standardized questionnaires
Testing information when appropriate
Difficulty concentrating does not automatically mean someone has ADHD.
A careful evaluation helps determine what is contributing to the symptoms and what next steps may be appropriate.
Read more about Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Adult ADHD Testing & Evaluation.
ADHD and Executive Function in Everyday Life
Many adults seek evaluation because they know they are capable but struggle to translate that ability into consistent daily performance.
They may experience difficulties with:
Working memory
Time management
Task initiation
Planning
Organization
Prioritization
Sustained attention
Response inhibition
Goal-directed persistence
Self-monitoring
Cognitive flexibility
Emotional regulation
These processes are often described as executive functions.
Executive-function difficulties can affect work, education, relationships, finances, household responsibilities, and other areas of adult life.
Explore Executive Function in Adults With ADHD for a deeper explanation.
Adults whose symptoms may have been masked by achievement can also read Adult ADHD Care for Professionals in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Adult ADHD Care Across Pennsylvania and Delaware
ADHD Philadelphia provides adult ADHD evaluation and treatment through secure telehealth for eligible adults located throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware.
If you live or work in Philadelphia, you can also review Adult ADHD Testing, Diagnosis & Treatment in Philadelphia, PA for a Philadelphia-specific overview of the evaluation and treatment process.
Patients seek care from communities including:
Philadelphia
Bala Cynwyd
Bryn Mawr
Ardmore
Villanova
Wayne
Lancaster
Harrisburg
Allentown
Pittsburgh
Wilmington
Newark
Dover
Milford
New Castle County
Communities throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware
Initial evaluations begin through secure telehealth.
In-person appointments may be scheduled after the initial telehealth appointment when clinically appropriate.
There are no walk-in appointments.
For adults near Bala Cynwyd, Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Villanova, Wayne, and surrounding communities, learn more about Adult ADHD Testing & Treatment on the Main Line, PA.
You can also explore ADHD Philadelphia Locations in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ADHD Philadelphia Patient Journey
How much does the ADHD evaluation cost if I want ongoing treatment?
The ADHD Evaluation + Ongoing Care pathway totals $300 for the initial evaluation:
$150 Initial ADHD Consultation
$150 ADHD Testing & Results Appointment
Ongoing ADHD treatment and medication-management appointments are $150 each.
How much is an ADHD evaluation if I do not want ongoing treatment with ADHD Philadelphia?
The ADHD Testing & Evaluation Only pathway is $500.
It is designed as a comprehensive standalone diagnostic evaluation for adults who do not plan to establish ongoing ADHD treatment with ADHD Philadelphia at the time of the evaluation.
Why are there two different evaluation prices?
The two services have different purposes.
The $300 Evaluation + Ongoing Care pathway begins an ongoing ADHD treatment relationship with ADHD Philadelphia.
The $500 ADHD Testing & Evaluation Only pathway is a standalone comprehensive diagnostic service for adults whose primary goal is evaluation and diagnostic documentation rather than establishing ongoing treatment with ADHD Philadelphia.
Can I just take an ADHD test and receive a diagnosis?
No.
A computerized test, rating scale, questionnaire, or online screening tool by itself does not establish an adult ADHD diagnosis.
Testing information must be interpreted in the context of the broader clinical evaluation.
What if I already have another healthcare provider?
If you primarily need a comprehensive ADHD diagnostic evaluation and expect your ongoing care to occur elsewhere, the $500 ADHD Testing & Evaluation Only pathway may be the better fit.
When does the 7-day documentation timeline begin?
For the standalone ADHD Testing & Evaluation Only pathway, the seven-day timeframe begins after all required appointments, testing, questionnaires, records, and requested information have been completed and received.
It does not automatically begin after the first appointment.
Does being diagnosed with ADHD guarantee medication?
No.
An ADHD diagnosis does not guarantee medication, stimulant treatment, or any particular treatment.
Recommendations are based on your diagnosis, health history, clinical findings, potential risks and contraindications, treatment goals, and clinical appropriateness.
Are initial appointments in person?
Initial evaluations begin through secure telehealth for eligible adults located in Pennsylvania or Delaware.
In-person appointments may be scheduled after the initial telehealth appointment when clinically appropriate.
There are no walk-in appointments.
Ready to Begin Your ADHD Philadelphia Patient Journey?
You can choose the pathway that best matches what you are seeking.
ADHD Evaluation + Ongoing Care
$300 total initial evaluation
$150 Initial ADHD Consultation
+
$150 ADHD Testing & Results Appointment
Ongoing treatment appointments: $150 each
Designed for adults who plan to establish ongoing ADHD treatment with ADHD Philadelphia.
START ADHD EVALUATION + ONGOING CARE
ADHD Testing & Evaluation Only
$500 comprehensive standalone diagnostic evaluation
Designed for adults whose primary goal is a comprehensive ADHD diagnostic evaluation without establishing ongoing ADHD treatment with ADHD Philadelphia at the time of the evaluation.
Diagnostic documentation is generally completed within 7 days after all required evaluation components and requested information have been completed and received.
START ADHD TESTING & EVALUATION ONLY
Continue Exploring ADHD Philadelphia
Learn more about Adult ADHD Testing & Evaluation in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Read about Adult ADHD Diagnosis in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Explore Adult ADHD Treatment & Medication Management.
Review the Medication Management & Stimulant Treatment Policy.
Explore Executive Function in Adults With ADHD.
Learn about Adult ADHD Care for Professionals.
If you are near Bala Cynwyd or the Main Line, visit Adult ADHD Testing & Treatment on the Main Line, PA.
Explore ADHD Philadelphia Locations in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Or Book an Adult ADHD Appointment.
Medical Information Notice
Information provided on ADHDPhiladelphia.com is for general educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical or psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment.
Diagnosis and treatment recommendations are made following an appropriate clinical evaluation.
The free 10-minute consultation is intended to provide information about ADHD Philadelphia services and help prospective patients determine an appropriate next step. It is not a diagnostic or treatment appointment.
Medication recommendations are individualized and based on clinical appropriateness.
Diagnostic documentation is based on the completed evaluation and available clinical information.
Author & Clinical Review
Charles Thornton, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
ADHD Philadelphia
Adult ADHD evaluation, testing, diagnosis, treatment planning, medication management, and executive-function-focused care for adults throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Clinically reviewed: September 8, 2026