Adult ADHD assessment in Montreal and Laval: how it works
The essentials: many adults are diagnosed with ADHD late, after years of compensating. In Quebec, evaluating mental disorders is an activity reserved by law, and evaluating neuropsychological disorders is reserved to physicians and to psychologists holding an attestation from the Ordre des psychologues du Québec. At Clinique Octobre, ADHD assessment is part of the neuropsychological assessment and is for adults, 18 and over, in Laval or by teleconsultation anywhere in Quebec.
What adult ADHD actually looks like
In adults, ADHD rarely looks the way it does in children. Visible restlessness often becomes an inner tension that is hard to name. What people describe most is a persistent gap between the effort they put in and the result they get.
- Trouble starting a task, then working in a rush at the last minute;
- Frequent forgetfulness, lost items, missed appointments despite reminders;
- Difficulty holding attention in meetings or while reading, alongside hyperfocus on things that interest you;
- Impulsivity in decisions, purchases or conversations;
- Heavy mental fatigue by the end of the day, sometimes with anxiety or low mood.
These signs are not enough for a diagnosis: several conditions can produce a similar picture, including an anxiety disorder, depression, a sleep disorder or burnout. Sorting that out is exactly what the assessment is for.
Who can assess ADHD in Quebec?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder recognized in the DSM-5. In Quebec, evaluating mental disorders is a reserved activity: it falls to physicians and psychologists, among other professionals authorized by law. Evaluating neuropsychological disorders, which is broader, is reserved to physicians and to psychologists who hold an attestation from the Ordre des psychologues du Québec. Only holders of that attestation may use the title neuropsychologist.
At Clinique Octobre, assessments are carried out by a doctoral candidate in neuropsychology, under the supervision of a neuropsychologist who is a member of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec.
Why go through a neuropsychological assessment?
An online questionnaire or a self-report can point to a lead, but it does not replace a clinical process. A neuropsychological assessment goes further in three ways:
- It measures attention, working memory, processing speed and executive functions objectively, instead of relying only on how you perceive yourself;
- It checks the other possible explanations, such as an anxiety disorder, a mood disorder, a sleep disorder or a specific learning disorder;
- It produces a detailed report you can use with a physician, a school or an employer.
The service is for adults 18 and over. ADHD assessment for children and teenagers is not offered at the clinic at this time. Write to us and we can point you toward the appropriate resource.
How the assessment works at the clinic
1. Intake interview (about 75 minutes)
A meeting to retrace your developmental, academic, medical and work history, and to define the difficulties that bring you in. Because ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, your history since childhood matters a great deal.
2. Testing (about 5 hours, spread over 2 to 3 sessions)
Standardized tests covering sustained attention, inhibition, working memory, planning and processing speed, completed by validated questionnaires. With your consent, information from your other professionals can enrich the analysis.
3. Feedback meeting (about 60 minutes)
A few weeks later, a meeting presents the results: strengths and difficulties, a diagnosis where it applies, plain explanations and concrete recommendations for daily life, study or work.
4. Final report
You receive the full neuropsychological report. That is the document you can bring to your physician, a student services office or your employer.
What the report lets you do next
- Support a request for accommodations at cegep or university: extra time, a separate room, a note taker;
- Document a request to adapt your workstation or a gradual return to work;
- Support a discussion with your physician about treatment options, including medication, which remains a medical prescription;
- Guide psychological follow up or occupational therapy focused on organization and attention regulation.
Public or private: the wait
In the public system, access generally requires a medical referral and the waiting lists for adult neuropsychological assessment are long. In the private sector no referral is required and the process usually begins within a few weeks. Many people choose private care precisely because a late diagnosis has already cost them years.
What does it cost?
The cost varies with the complexity of the file, the number of testing hours required and the writing of the report. Most private insurers that cover psychology also reimburse neuropsychology under the same parameters, and unreimbursed fees may in many cases qualify for the medical expense tax credit. Contact us for pricing and an estimate suited to your situation.
FAQ
Who can assess adult ADHD in Quebec?
Evaluating mental disorders is an activity reserved by law. It falls to physicians and psychologists, among other authorized professionals. Evaluating neuropsychological disorders is reserved to physicians and to psychologists who hold an attestation from the Ordre des psychologues du Quebec.
Do I need a medical referral for a private assessment?
No. In the private sector you can book directly, without a referral. A referral is generally required in the public system.
Do you assess ADHD in children and teenagers?
No. The service is for adults, 18 and over. For a child or teenager, write to us and we can point you toward the appropriate resource.
How long does the assessment take?
At Clinique Octobre, the assessment includes an intake interview of about 75 minutes, roughly 5 hours of testing spread over 2 to 3 sessions, then a feedback meeting of about 60 minutes a few weeks later.
Can the report support accommodations at school or at work?
Yes, in most cases. The report documents the cognitive profile and sets out recommendations that schools and employers use to assess a request for accommodations. Each institution keeps its own requirements.
Can an assessment lead to medication?
The neuropsychological assessment clarifies the diagnosis and the recommendations. Prescribing is a physician's responsibility. The report can support a discussion with your family doctor or psychiatrist.
Get assessed for ADHD in Laval
A structured process, plain explanations and a report you can use with your physician, your school or your employer. Services offered in three languages: French, English and Arabic.
Contact us for pricing and informationSources: Ordre des psychologues du Québec, What type of professional should I consult? · AQNP, Law governing neuropsychology (French) · CADDRA, Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines. See also our Neuropsychology, Individual therapy and FAQ pages. This article is informational and does not replace professional advice.
