ADHD & Autism Evaluations in West Michigan
Getting answers changes everything.
Whether you’re a parent who’s watched your child struggle at school without knowing why, or an adult who’s spent years wondering why certain things feel harder for you than they do for everyone else, a proper evaluation gives you something real to work with. A diagnosis isn’t a label. It’s a roadmap.
At West Michigan Psychological Services (WMPS), our licensed psychologists conduct comprehensive ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) evaluations for children and adults across the Lakeshore. We’re here in Holland, Grand Haven, and Muskegon for evaluations, with therapy also available in Hamilton. And because we also offer therapy and medication management in the same practice, your care doesn’t stop when the evaluation does.
Why a Formal Evaluation Matters
ADHD and autism are frequently misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed, or missed entirely. This is especially true for adults, women, and people who’ve spent years developing coping strategies just to get by.
A formal evaluation cuts through the guesswork. It uses gold-standard assessment tools, structured clinical interviews, and behavioral data to produce an accurate picture of what’s actually going on. That picture becomes the foundation for everything that follows: therapy, medication decisions, school accommodations, workplace support, and genuine self-understanding.
Without an evaluation, treatment is a guess. With one, it’s a plan.
ADHD Evaluations at WMPS
Who Should Consider an ADHD Evaluation?
ADHD is so much more than difficulty focusing. It touches on attention regulation, impulse control, emotional responses, motivation, organization, and time management. These are areas that affect school, work, and relationships in ways that are easy to dismiss or chalk up to laziness or low effort.
Common signs that an evaluation might be helpful:
● Chronic difficulty finishing tasks or following through on plans
● Feeling restless, mentally “scattered,” or easily overwhelmed
● Acting or speaking without thinking
● Struggling to manage time, deadlines, or priorities
● Hyperfocusing on one interest while everything else falls apart
● Mood swings, frustration, or low self-esteem tied to repeated struggles
● A child who’s falling behind academically despite apparent intelligence
● A teacher or pediatrician recommending further evaluation
ADHD is also frequently mistaken for anxiety, depression, or trauma. That’s a big part of why professional assessment matters so much. An accurate diagnosis means treatment that actually fits.
What Our ADHD Evaluation Includes
We use a comprehensive, evidence-based approach:
Clinical interview: Your clinician gathers detailed background on your history, symptoms, and how daily functioning is affected across settings.
Standardized cognitive and attention testing: Objective measures of attention, processing speed, working memory, and executive functioning.
Behavioral rating scales: Completed by parents, teachers, or partners, depending on the client’s age, to capture how symptoms show up in real-world environments.
Screening for co-occurring conditions: ADHD rarely travels alone. We screen for anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, and autism to make sure nothing gets missed.
Comprehensive written report: You’ll receive a detailed report with findings, a formal diagnosis if applicable, and specific recommendations for next steps. Whether that’s therapy, medication management, school accommodations, or all three.
Autism Spectrum Disorders at WMPS
Who Should Consider an Autism Evaluation?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) shows up differently in every person. Some people are diagnosed in early childhood. Others, particularly those who masked their symptoms for years, or who are female, or who have high cognitive ability, reach adulthood without ever getting a diagnosis.
Signs that an evaluation might be worth pursuing:
● Difficulty reading social cues, facial expressions, or tone of voice
● Strong preference for routine, sameness, or specific interests
● Sensory sensitivities to light, sound, texture, or touch
● Challenges starting or maintaining conversations
● Struggles with unspoken social rules that others seem to navigate instinctively
● Feeling “different” without being able to explain why
● A child showing developmental delays or communication differences ● Repetitive movements or speech patterns (echolalia, scripting, stimming)
Autism can be diagnosed at any age. We evaluate both children and adults using a comprehensive developmental approach that accounts for how ASD presents across the lifespan.
What Our Autism Evaluation Includes
Comprehensive developmental history: A detailed clinical interview covering early development, communication milestones, social history, and current functioning.
Standardized autism-specific assessments: We use best-practice diagnostic tools to assess communication, social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing.
Strengths and vulnerabilities profile: We don’t just identify challenges. We document unique strengths to give you a complete, useful picture.
Detailed written report: You’ll receive a formal report with findings, recommendations for support, and whether any further diagnostic testing is needed.
What Happens After Your Evaluation
Here’s what sets WMPS apart from standalone testing centers: we don’t hand you a report and send you on your way.
A diagnosis is the beginning, not the end. Our team can step directly into ongoing support. No handoffs. No referrals to someone who doesn’t know your history. No starting over.
Depending on your results and goals, next steps might include:
● Individual therapy using CBT, DBT, or other evidence-based approaches tailored to ADHD or autism
● Medication management with our psychiatric nurse practitioners for clients where medication is part of the plan
● Child and adolescent therapy to help younger clients build skills and navigate school and social environments
● Parenting support to help families understand and respond to their child’s needs
● School accommodation documentation: Your written report can be shared with schools to support IEP or 504 plan requests.
Four Locations Across the West Michigan Lakeshore
We’re here in the communities where you actually live. No driving to Grand Rapids for an evaluation.
- ● Holland: 400 136th Ave., Suite 416, Holland, MI 49424
● Grand Haven: 1475 Robbins Rd., Suite 150, Grand Haven, MI 49417
● Muskegon: 120 W. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49440
● Hamilton: 3588 Green Pointe Center, Hamilton, MI 49419 (therapy only)
Phone: 616.952.9957
Email: admin@wmps.net
How to Get Started
We made this part easy on purpose.
- Reach out. Call 616.952.9957 or fill out our contact form. Our team will match you with a therapist who fits your needs and schedule.
- First session. It’s really just a conversation. Your therapist will listen, ask questions, and start getting a feel for where you are and what you’re hoping for.
- Build a plan together. You’ll set goals and agree on an approach. Therapy is purposeful, it’s working toward outcomes that actually matter to you.
- Make progress. Consistency builds momentum. Most clients start noticing real shifts within 6 to 12 sessions.
You don’t need to have it figured out before you reach out. That’s literally what we’re here for.
Insurance & Accessibility
We accept most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Care Network, McLaren, Medicaid, Medicare, Meridian, Molina, Priority Health, and United Healthcare. HSA cards are welcome too.
Accessibility isn’t just a feature here. It’s a value. We’re committed to making evaluations available to every West Michigan family, regardless of insurance type. Call us at 616.952.9957 to verify your coverage before scheduling.
How to Schedule an Evaluation
Simple steps to get started:
- Reach out. Call 616.952.9957 or fill out our contact form. Let us know you’re interested in an ADHD or autism evaluation.
- We’ll verify your insurance and match you with the right clinician based on your needs and location.
- Complete intake paperwork through our TherapyNotes portal before your first appointment.
- Attend your evaluation. Plan for multiple sessions depending on the scope of testing.
- Receive your report. Your written report with diagnosis and recommendations will be ready following the evaluation.
Some insurance plans require a referral before scheduling an evaluation. Our team will help you navigate that during the verification process. Either way, you don’t need to have it all figured out. We’ll walk you through every step.
FAQ: ADHD & Autism Evaluations in West Michigan
What is the difference between an ADHD evaluation and an autism evaluation? An ADHD evaluation focuses on attention regulation, impulsivity, executive functioning, and hyperactivity. An autism evaluation assesses social communication, sensory processing, repetitive behaviors, and developmental history. Both involve clinical interviews, standardized testing, and written reports. Some people are evaluated for both at the same time, since ADHD and autism frequently co-occur.
Does WMPS evaluate adults for ADHD and autism, or only children? Both. We work with children and adults. Many adults seek evaluations after years of unresolved struggles, and a late diagnosis can be genuinely life-changing in terms of self-understanding and access to support.
How long does a diagnostic evaluation take? It varies depending on the type and the individual. ADHD evaluations typically involve multiple sessions. Autism evaluations include a comprehensive developmental history plus standardized assessment tools. Your clinician will give you a clearer timeline once intake is complete.
Does insurance cover ADHD or autism evaluations at WMPS? We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicaid, Blue Cross, Aetna, Priority Health, and United Health Care. Coverage for psychological testing varies by plan. Call us at 616.952.9957 or visit our Insurance & Policies page to verify your benefits before scheduling.
Can an ADHD or autism evaluation help with school accommodations? Yes. The written report from your evaluation can be used to request an IEP, 504 plan, or other school accommodations. It documents the diagnosis and gives schools specific recommendations they can act on.
What if my child is evaluated and doesn’t receive a diagnosis? A “no diagnosis” result is still useful. It rules out ADHD or autism and helps redirect focus toward other possible explanations like anxiety, learning differences, or trauma responses. Your clinician will walk you through the next steps either way.
Do you offer evaluations in Spanish? Yes. / Sí. WMPS offers psychological assessments in Spanish. / También ofrecemos evaluaciones psicológicas en español.
Ready to Get Answers?
Mental wellness is for every walk of life, and that starts with knowing what you’re actually working with. WMPS is currently accepting new evaluation clients at our Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon, and Hamilton locations.
Call 616.952.9957 or fill out our contact form to schedule your ADHD or autism evaluation today.