Table of Contents
- Why Preparation Actually Matters
- 1. Write Down Your Symptoms Before the Day
- 2. Gather Your Medical and School Records
- 3. Think About Your Childhood, Not Just Right Now
- 4. Ask a Trusted Person to Share Their Observations
- 5. Note Any Previous Diagnoses or Treatments
- 6. Be Honest About Masking
- 7. Prepare for the Logistics of a Virtual Evaluation
- 8. Manage Your Evaluation Anxiety Beforehand
- What Happens After Your Evaluation
- FAQs
You've done the research. You've read the Reddit threads at midnight, watched the TikToks, taken a few quizzes. And now you've decided to actually get evaluated. That's a big step, and it matters.
But now you're wondering: what do I actually do to prepare?
Good news: you don't need to show up with a binder and a color-coded spreadsheet. But a little preparation goes a long way. It helps your psychologist get a clearer picture of your experience, which means a more accurate evaluation and more useful recommendations afterward.
Here are eight practical things to do before your ADHD or autism assessment.
Why Preparation Actually Matters
A neuropsychological evaluation is not a pass/fail test. It's a conversation backed by structured assessments, and the more context you can give your psychologist, the better.
Many adults, especially high-masking women and BIPOC individuals, have spent years being told they're fine. They've learned to compensate so well that their struggles don't show up in a 15-minute appointment. A thorough evaluation with a licensed psychologist gives you space to tell the full story. Your job is to come ready to tell it.
1. Write Down Your Symptoms Before the Day
Don't rely on your memory in the moment. Evaluation anxiety is real, and it's easy to go blank when someone asks "so, what brings you in today?"
A few days before your evaluation, sit down and write out:
- Specific situations where you struggle (work, relationships, daily tasks)
- Patterns you've noticed over time, not just recently
- Things you do to cope or compensate that others might not see
- How your symptoms affect your quality of life
You don't need to write an essay. Even a short bulleted list on your phone is helpful. The goal is to have something concrete to reference so you don't leave the session thinking "I forgot to mention the most important thing."
2. Gather Your Medical and School Records
If you have access to old report cards, IEP documents, or previous psychological evaluations, pull them together. These records can show patterns that go back decades, which is especially relevant for ADHD and autism, both of which are present from early development.
Useful documents to look for:
- Elementary and middle school report cards (teacher comments are gold)
- Any previous psychological or psychiatric evaluations
- IEP or 504 plan documentation
- Medical records related to anxiety, depression, or sleep issues
You don't need every single document. Even a few pieces of historical context help your psychologist see the bigger picture.
3. Think About Your Childhood, Not Just Right Now
One of the most common reasons adults get missed in evaluations is that they only describe their current experience. But ADHD and autism don't appear out of nowhere in adulthood. They've been there all along, often showing up differently depending on your environment and demands.
Before your evaluation, think back:
- Did you struggle to sit still, focus, or finish tasks in school?
- Did you feel different from your peers but couldn't explain why?
- Were you called "too sensitive," "too intense," or "in your own world"?
- Did you have trouble with friendships, social rules, or reading the room?
If you have a parent or sibling you can ask, their perspective can add useful context too.
4. Ask a Trusted Person to Share Their Observations
You don't have to do this alone. A partner, close friend, parent, or sibling who knows you well can offer observations you might not think to mention yourself.
Ask them questions like:
- Have you noticed me zoning out or losing track of conversations?
- Do I seem to struggle with transitions or unexpected changes?
- Have you ever noticed me doing repetitive things when I'm stressed?
- Do I seem to process things differently than other people?
Their answers don't determine your diagnosis. But they can add texture to your self-report, especially if you're someone who masks heavily and doesn't always notice your own patterns.
5. Note Any Previous Diagnoses or Treatments
If you've been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or anything else, write it down. Include any medications you've taken, therapies you've tried, and whether they helped.
This matters because ADHD and autism often come with co-occurring conditions. Anxiety and depression are extremely common in neurodivergent people, sometimes as a direct result of going undiagnosed for years. Your psychologist needs the full picture to distinguish between conditions and understand how they interact.
Also note anything that didn't help. If you tried antidepressants and they made things worse, or if CBT felt like it was missing something, say so. That information is useful.
6. Be Honest About Masking
This one is important, especially if you're a high-masking adult.
Masking means adapting your behavior to fit neurotypical expectations, often so well that even trained professionals miss what's actually going on. Many adults, particularly women and BIPOC individuals, have been told they "don't seem like they have ADHD" or "seem too social to be autistic." Those dismissals are a failure of the system, not a reflection of your experience.
In your evaluation, be honest about:
- How much effort it takes to appear "normal" in social or professional settings
- How you feel after social interactions (drained? overwhelmed? relieved to be alone?)
- What you're like at home versus in public
- What you're like when no one is watching
You don't need to perform your struggles. You just need to describe them honestly. A good evaluator will know how to ask the right questions.
7. Prepare for the Logistics of a Virtual Evaluation
If your evaluation is virtual, which it is at Sachs Center, a few practical things will help the session run smoothly.
Before your evaluation:
- Find a quiet, private space where you won't be interrupted
- Test your internet connection and make sure your camera and microphone work
- Charge your device or keep it plugged in
- Have water nearby
- Close unnecessary browser tabs and silence notifications
Virtual evaluations are just as thorough as in-person ones. The format is different, but the clinical process is the same. Being set up well technically means you can focus on the actual conversation.
8. Manage Your Evaluation Anxiety Beforehand
A lot of people feel nervous before their evaluation. That's completely normal. You might worry about being judged, about not "seeming sick enough," or about what a diagnosis might mean for your life.
A few things that can help:
- Remind yourself that this evaluation is for you, not a performance for someone else
- Write down what you're hoping to get out of the process (clarity, accommodations, understanding yourself better)
- Get a good night's sleep the night before if you can
- Eat something before the session so low blood sugar doesn't add to the stress
- Give yourself permission to not have all the answers
You're not trying to convince anyone of anything. You're just sharing your experience with someone whose job is to help you understand it.
What Happens After Your Evaluation
Once your evaluation is complete, you'll receive a professional diagnosis and personalized recommendations. At Sachs Center, that includes specific guidance on next steps, whether that's therapy, coaching, workplace accommodations, or other support.
If you're preparing for an evaluation and haven't booked yet, or if you're still in the "am I neurodivergent?" phase, Sachs Center offers free clinician-designed self-assessment quizzes for ADHD, autism, anxiety, and more. They're a good starting point before you commit to a full evaluation.
Licensed psychologists at Sachs Center conduct comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations via telehealth across 48+ US states, with no 18-month waitlist and no one-size-fits-all approach. Learn more at sachscenter.com.
FAQs
What should I bring to an ADHD or autism evaluation?
For a virtual evaluation, you don't need to bring anything physical. But it helps to have notes on your symptoms, any relevant medical or school records you can access, and a list of previous diagnoses or treatments. Having these ready before the session makes the conversation more productive.
Should I stop taking my ADHD medication before the evaluation?
Talk to your prescribing provider before making any changes to your medication. Some evaluations ask you to take a break from stimulant medication so the psychologist can observe your baseline, but this depends on the type of assessment being done. Your evaluating psychologist will give you specific guidance.
What if I don't remember much about my childhood?
That's okay. Do what you can. If you have a parent or sibling you can ask, their input helps. If not, focus on the patterns you've noticed over your lifetime, even if you can't pinpoint specific ages or events. A good psychologist will work with what you have.
Can I be honest about masking without it affecting my results?
Yes, and you should be. Describing how much effort you put into appearing "normal" is actually important clinical information. Evaluators trained in high-masking presentations know how to factor this in. Hiding it can actually make it harder to get an accurate picture.
What if I'm nervous and forget to mention something during the evaluation?
It happens. If you've written down your symptoms and key experiences beforehand, you can reference your notes during the session. You can also follow up with your psychologist afterward if something important comes to mind.
How is a neuropsychological evaluation different from a quick online screening?
A neuropsychological evaluation conducted by a licensed psychologist is comprehensive. It includes structured clinical interviews, standardized assessments, and a review of your history. Quick online screenings, like those used by some telehealth apps, are questionnaire-based and don't provide the same diagnostic depth or clinical validity.
What happens after I get my results?
You'll receive a formal report with your diagnosis and personalized recommendations. Depending on your needs, next steps might include therapy, executive function coaching, workplace accommodation letters, or extended time documentation for standardized exams. At Sachs Center, the goal is to connect your diagnosis to practical support, not just hand you a label and send you on your way.
