Autism + ADHD Evaluation Explained | How Psychologists Test for Both

DrThatcherPsychTalks โ€ข November 6, 2025
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DrThatcherPsychTalks

@drthatcherpsychtalks

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Get expert guidance on raising and understanding neurodivergent kids and teens from Dr. James Thatcher, licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Forest Psychological Clinic in Portland, Oregon. This channel is your go-to resource for compassionate, science-backed supportโ€”covering autism, ADHD, emotional regulation, and mental health from early childhood through young adulthood. Each week, Dr. Thatcher breaks down complex psychology into practical tools for parents, educators, and caregivers. Learn how to recognize early and hidden signs of autism, support ADHD strengths, and navigate challenges like anxiety, sensory overload, and executive dysfunction. Whether you're exploring an autism or ADHD diagnosis, looking for parenting strategies, or supporting a teen whoโ€™s struggling to launch, youโ€™ll find real-world insights, evidence-based advice, and encouragement here. Subscribe for videos that empower you to support your childโ€™s growth, resilience, and neurodivergent identity

Video Description

What really happens when psychologists test for both autism and ADHD at the same time? In this educational video, Dr. James Thatcher, licensed psychologist at Forest Psychological Clinic in Lake Oswego, Oregon, explains how comprehensive evaluations identify the overlap and differences between autism (ASD) and ADHD โ€” also known as AuDHD. Dr. Thatcher walks through every step of the process: the intake, testing methods, developmental history, and the psychological tools used to reach an accurate diagnosis and plan for effective support. ๐Ÿ”น What Youโ€™ll Learn Why quick checklists often miss AuDHD How masking and compensation can hide autism or ADHD The role of ADOS-2, ABAS-3, Vineland-3, WAIS-V, and D-KEFS How psychologists separate executive functioning issues from social communication differences Key differences between hyperfocus and restricted interests How results shape school accommodations, therapy plans, and medication decisions ๐Ÿง  About Forest Psychological Clinic At Forest Psychological Clinic, we specialize in comprehensive psychological evaluations for autism, ADHD, and learning disorders across the lifespan โ€” from toddlers to adults. Our goal is to deliver accurate, same-day feedback and actionable recommendations you can use right away. ๐Ÿ“ Location: 300 Oswego Pointe Drive, Suite 220, Lake Oswego, Oregon In the Portland, Oregon metro area ๐Ÿ“ž Call: (971) 331-1366 ๐ŸŒ Website: https://forestpsychologicalclinic.com Timestamps: 0:00 โ€“ Why Quick Checklists Donโ€™t Work for AuDHD Evaluations 0:17 โ€“ Meet Dr. James Thatcher, Licensed Psychologist (Portland, OR) 0:58 โ€“ How Overlap and Masking Can Hide the True Autism and ADHD Diagnosis 1:40 โ€“ The Goal: Accurate, Evidence-Based Diagnosis 2:04 โ€“ Whatโ€™s the Same in Autism and ADHD Evaluations 2:54 โ€“ Developmental History: The Foundation of Both Diagnoses 3:16 โ€“ Autism Testing Tools: ADOS-2 and Social Reciprocity 4:03 โ€“ Adaptive Behavior and Social Functioning (ABAS-3 & Vineland) 4:20 โ€“ Sensory Processing and Regulation in Autism 4:37 โ€“ ADHD Testing Tools: WISC-V, WAIS-V, and Stanford-Binet 5:04 โ€“ Using D-KEFS to Evaluate Cognitive Flexibility 5:24 โ€“ How Autism and ADHD Overlap and Diverge 5:33 โ€“ Shared Traits: Attention, Task Initiation, and Social Misses 6:42 โ€“ Key Differences: Social Reciprocity and Restricted Interests 7:10 โ€“ Hyperfocus vs. Restricted Interests Explained 7:59 โ€“ Why Itโ€™s Critical to Differentiate Autism from ADHD 8:36 โ€“ Classroom Accommodations for ADHD and Autism 9:17 โ€“ Medication Considerations: ADHD vs. Autism 9:47 โ€“ Why a Psychiatric Specialist Is Better than a PCP 10:29 โ€“ Questions to Ask About ADHD Medication and Autism 11:04 โ€“ Choosing the Right Evaluation Clinic 11:10 โ€“ What to Ask: Do You Test for Both Autism and ADHD? 11:17 โ€“ Understanding the Tools: ADOS-2, Cognitive Tests, D-KEFS 11:52 โ€“ Ask About Turnaround Time and Feedback Sessions 12:07 โ€“ Coordinating with Schools, Colleges, and Disability Services 12:25 โ€“ Preview of Next Video: How to Prepare for Testing American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM-5-TR). Wechsler, D. (2014). Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (5th ed.). Pearson. Wechsler, D. (2024). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (5th ed.). Pearson. Delis, D. C., Kaplan, E., & Kramer, J. H. (2001). Delisโ€“Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS). Pearson. Lord, C., et al. (2012). Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2). Western Psychological Services. #neurodiversity #audhd #autismdiagnosis

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