Understanding begins with answers.
When you or someone you love is struggling with attention, behavior, communication or everyday challenges, it can be difficult to know where to turn.
Maybe your child is having trouble focusing at school, managing emotions or connecting with classmates. Perhaps a teacher has suggested exploring ADHD, or you've noticed differences in how your child learns, communicates or responds to the world around them.
Maybe your teenager is feeling overwhelmed by increasing responsibilities, or you're an adult who has spent years wondering why certain things seem harder than they should.
At Avenues for Change, David Miller, LCPC, provides ADHD and autism assessments for children, teens and adults through telehealth, helping individuals and families gain a clearer understanding of their experiences and explore appropriate next steps.
When Your Child Is Struggling, You Want Answers
As a parent, you know your child. You recognize their strengths, celebrate their successes and notice when something doesn't seem quite right.
Sometimes those concerns are difficult to put into words.
You might notice your child:
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Has difficulty focusing, following directions or completing schoolwork.
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Struggles with organization, forgetfulness or impulsivity.
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Experiences frequent frustration or difficulty managing emotions.
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Has challenges with friendships or social communication.
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Is particularly sensitive to sounds, textures or changes in routine.
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Seems to work much harder than classmates to manage everyday expectations.
These experiences don't automatically mean your child has ADHD or autism. But when challenges are persistent or begin affecting school, relationships or family life, an assessment may help you better understand what's happening.
The goal isn't to put a label on your child. It's to better understand how to support them.
ADHD & Autism in Teenagers
The teenage years bring new expectations, greater independence and increasing academic and social demands.
For teens with ADHD or autism, these changes can sometimes make previously manageable challenges more noticeable.
A teenager may struggle with deadlines, organization, attention, social relationships, sensory overload or managing multiple responsibilities.
Some teens have spent years developing ways to compensate for these challenges, making their experiences less obvious to parents and teachers.
An assessment can help families explore whether ADHD or autism may be contributing to these difficulties and identify appropriate next steps.
It's Not Just for Kids:
Adult Assessments
ADHD and autism aren't always identified during childhood.
Some adults begin exploring an assessment after recognizing similar characteristics in their children. Others have spent years struggling with attention, organization, relationships or sensory differences without understanding why.
You may have developed ways to manage these challenges, but that doesn't mean they've been easy.
For adults, an assessment can offer greater insight into longstanding experiences and help guide decisions about treatment, accommodations or other support.
It's never too late to learn more about how your brain works.
What to Expect From an Assessment
Taking the first step can feel intimidating, especially when you're seeking answers for your child.
David's approach is supportive, encouraging and focused on understanding each person as an individual.
Depending on the person's age, concerns and type of evaluation, the assessment process may include:
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An initial conversation: Discussing the concerns that led you to seek an assessment and what you hope to better understand.
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Background and developmental history: Exploring relevant experiences, including childhood development, school, work, relationships and daily functioning.
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Assessment tools and additional information: Using appropriate evaluation methods and, when needed, gathering information from parents, caregivers or other relevant sources.
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Reviewing findings and next steps: Discussing results, answering questions and identifying recommendations or additional resources.
The specific process will depend on the individual and the assessment being completed. Some situations may require additional or in-person evaluation.
Convenient Telehealth Assessments
Professional support without the added travel.
David Miller provides ADHD and autism assessments virtually through Avenues for Change.
Telehealth can make accessing assessment services more convenient for families balancing school, work and other responsibilities, as well as adults who prefer virtual appointments.
Appointments are conducted in a private, supportive setting, with the assessment process adapted as appropriate to the individual's age and needs.
Answers Can Be the Beginning of Something Better
Whether you're a parent searching for answers about your child, a teenager trying to understand your experiences or an adult exploring questions you've carried for years, you deserve to feel heard and supported.
An assessment may provide valuable insight into strengths, challenges and the kinds of support that could make everyday life more manageable.
You don't have to figure everything out on your own.
There's more than one avenue forward.