Inside an ADHD Assessment: What Adults & Parents Can Expect Step by Step
A clear, clinician‑guided walkthrough of how ADHD is assessed in children, teenagers, and adults at Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic
Many people at Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic tell Dr. Aju Abraham and Dr. Zita Moreira:
“I think I might have ADHD, but I don’t know what assessment involves.”
“Will my child be ‘tested’ in a stressful way?”
“Is it just a questionnaire, or something more detailed?”
“How do clinicians know it’s ADHD and not anxiety or stress?”
ADHD assessment at Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic is structured, gentle, and evidence‑based. It follows a clear three‑step sequence:
CAARS / Conners 4 behavioural assessment
TOVA computer‑based attention test
DIVA 5 clinical interview with the clinician
This guide explains step by step what adults and parents can expect.
Step 1: Initial consultation — why assessment is being considered
Before formal testing, clinicians meet with you to understand:
current difficulties: attention, organisation, forgetfulness, impulsivity, emotional sensitivity
impact: work, school, relationships, daily functioning
history: when symptoms started, how long they’ve been present
context: stress, sleep, medical issues, family patterns
For children and teens, parents share observations at home and school. For adults, the focus is on lifelong patterns, not just recent stress.
This conversation sets the foundation for the formal assessment.
Step 2: CAARS / Conners 4 behavioural assessment
The first formal step is standardised behavioural rating scales.
For adults — CAARS (Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale)
Adults complete the CAARS, which measures:
inattention and distractibility
impulsivity
emotional regulation
organisation and planning
restlessness and hyperactivity
This helps clinicians understand how symptoms appear in daily life, work, and relationships.
For children & teens — Conners 4
Parents (and often teachers) complete the Conners 4, which evaluates:
inattention
hyperactivity
impulsivity
learning challenges
emotional patterns
behaviour across home and school
This confirms whether symptoms are present in more than one setting, which is essential for ADHD diagnosis.
Step 3: TOVA Test — objective attention and impulse‑control measurement
Next, individuals complete the TOVA (Test of Variables of Attention) — a computer‑based, objective test of attention and impulse control.
TOVA measures:
sustained attention over time
impulsivity (responding too quickly or inaccurately)
response time and consistency
ability to stay focused on a repetitive task
TOVA helps differentiate ADHD from:
anxiety‑related concentration problems
sleep‑related attention issues
stress or burnout
learning difficulties
It provides a quantitative profile that complements the behavioural questionnaires.
Step 4: DIVA 5 clinical interview — bringing everything together
The final step is the DIVA 5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults) — a structured, DSM‑5‑based clinical interview.
For adults, the DIVA 5 explores:
childhood symptoms (before age 12)
current symptoms
impact on work, relationships, and daily functioning
emotional regulation and frustration tolerance
organisation, planning, and time management
impulsivity and decision‑making patterns
For parents of children and teens, clinicians use a similar structured approach, adapting questions to age and school context.
The DIVA 5 ensures:
ADHD criteria are clearly met or not met
examples from real life support the diagnosis
symptoms are distinguished from anxiety, depression, trauma, or environment
Step 5: Screening for other conditions
Alongside CAARS / Conners 4, TOVA, and DIVA 5, clinicians also screen for:
anxiety
depression
trauma responses
learning disorders
autism spectrum traits
sleep problems
This ensures the assessment is holistic, not just focused on one label.
Step 6: Feedback session — clear explanation, not just a score
Once all information is gathered, clinicians schedule a feedback session.
They explain:
whether ADHD criteria are met
how ADHD shows up in your life or your child’s life
any co‑existing conditions identified
what the CAARS / Conners 4, TOVA, and DIVA 5 results mean in practical terms
You are encouraged to ask questions and share concerns. The goal is clarity, validation, and a sense of direction.
Step 7: Treatment & support planning
If ADHD is diagnosed, next steps may include:
psychoeducation: understanding ADHD and how it affects daily life
CBT or skills‑based therapy: emotional regulation, frustration tolerance, impulse control
executive‑function coaching: planning, organisation, time management
school or workplace accommodations: realistic adjustments to support performance
parent guidance (for children): routines, boundaries, communication strategies
medication (when appropriate): considered carefully based on severity, safety, and preference
Even when ADHD is not diagnosed, the assessment often reveals helpful insights about attention, stress, mood, and coping.
Final thoughts
An ADHD assessment at Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic is a structured, three‑step process:
CAARS / Conners 4 — behavioural patterns
TOVA — objective attention and impulse‑control testing
DIVA 5 — detailed clinical interview and DSM‑5 criteria
It is designed to be thorough, gentle, and clinically precise — giving adults, teens, and parents a clear understanding of whether ADHD is present and what support is needed.
Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic offers evidence‑based ADHD assessment and tailored care in a calm, respectful, and collaborative environment.
Contact Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic in Dubai Media City
👉 Call or WhatsApp: +971 50 206 6563 / +971 43 99 6919
Written by: Dr. Aju Abraham, MBBS (University of Kerala, India), MRCPSYCH (The Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK), Certificate of Completion Of Specialist Training (The Specialist Training Authority of the Medical Royal Colleges, UK), Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Therapy ( University of Durham, UK) Consultant Psychiatrist, Medical Director, Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic (25+ years experience, UK NHS & Middle East)
About the Author
Dr. Aju Abraham is a Consultant Psychiatrist and the Medical Director of Retrieve Mind Poly Clinic, Dubai Media City. He has over 25 years of clinical experience in psychiatry, spanning the UK National Health Service (NHS), Qatar, and the UAE.
His expertise covers adult psychiatry, mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, relationship difficulties, and workplace stress.
Dr. Abraham’s approach integrates evidence-based medicine with a compassionate understanding of modern urban lifestyles. He regularly contributes to mental health awareness across educational and corporate settings in Dubai and Doha.
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