Who We Are

Calvert + Associates is a professional counseling practice in Birmingham, Alabama providing a wide range of mental health services for children, adolescents, and adults. Among these services, we offer comprehensive testing and assessment for Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Michael Hoye, an Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC) at Calvert + Associates, is a trained and approved provider for ADD/ADHD testing and assessment. 

Among the many goals that we strive to achieve with testing and assessment, our efforts to keep wait times as low as possible is important to us because we know that long wait times are a common issue when intervention is needed sooner rather than later. That said, we do not have a waitlist at this time and are accepting new examinees. 

At Calvert + Associates, we utilize the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scales and Diagnostic Forms, a well-researched and effective tool for evaluating ADD/ADHD symptoms. This assessment consists of two components: a 40- to 50-item rating scale and a diagnostic form, both of which will be explained in detail during The Testing Process section.

The Testing Process

Point of Important Clarification: Completing an ADD/ADHD assessment (also referred to as test or testing) at Calvert + Associates provides the necessary information that a medical doctor may use to evaluate and prescribe medication if appropriate. Additionally, the results can support requests for academic accommodations and other necessary interventions for both children and adults. Our assessment process is designed to develop a detailed diagnostic report that can be sent to healthcare providers, counselors, and educational/academic institutions, to name a few. Our approach is intentionally collaborative, ensuring you receive the most comprehensive and holistic care possible. We believe in a team-based model that allows us to provide essential information to medical providers, therapists, educators, and other professionals involved in your care.

Our testing process involves two parts. The first part is the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scale, and the second part is the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Diagnostic Form:

The first part of the assessment, the Scale, consists of a 40- to 50-item questionnaire designed to evaluate various aspects of daily life, with a particular focus on routine-based activities. This screening tool helps determine the probability of ADD/ADHD and serves as a basis for proceeding with the second part, the Diagnostic Form, if warranted. Completing the Scale typically takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour.

The second part of the assessment, the Diagnostic Form, consists of multiple sections that comprehensively examine various areas of your life, typically requiring between 2 to 2.5 hours to complete. Sections of this form include your family of origin, academic experiences, family medical and mental health history, and other important life domains. Additionally, this form addresses two critical factors: comorbidities and differential diagnoses.

A comorbidity refers to the presence of ADD/ADHD alongside another co-existing diagnosis (for example, ADHD and anxiety), while a differential diagnosis involves identifying conditions that may present similarly to ADD/ADHD but are actually distinct and separate disorders (for example, anxiety symptoms mistaken for ADHD). Clearly distinguishing between these is essential for accurate assessment and appropriate treatment planning.

How does it work?

The Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scales (Brown ADD Scales) is a widely used assessment designed to evaluate executive functioning impairments associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) across different age groups. Unlike traditional ADHD assessments that primarily focus on hyperactivity and impulsivity, the Brown ADD Scales emphasize challenges related to attention, organization, effort, emotional regulation, and working memory – key executive functions that impact daily life, school, and work performance.

This assessment is available in age-specific versions for preschool children (ages 3–7), school-aged children (8–12), adolescents (12–18), and adults (18+ years). It includes both self-report and observer-report forms, allowing individuals, parents, teachers, or other relevant observers to provide insight into symptoms across different settings.

Preschool Version (Ages 3-7): The preschool version of the Brown ADD Scales is designed to assess early signs of executive function difficulties in young children. This version relies heavily on parent and teacher observations to assess how these behaviors impact early learning and social development. Early identification allows for intervention strategies to be implemented before children enter formal schooling. Since ADHD symptoms can appear as early as preschool, this version focuses on behaviors such as:

• Attention Difficulties (e.g., inability to sustain focus on play activities, frequent distractibility).
• Impulsivity and Self-Regulation Challenges (e.g., acting without thinking, difficulty following multi-step instructions).
• Emotional Regulation (e.g., frequent frustration, difficulty handling transitions).
• Early Organizational Skills (e.g., inability to keep track of belongings, trouble with structured activities).

School-Age Version (Ages 8-12): The school-age version of the Brown ADD Scales focuses on how ADHD-related executive function difficulties affect academic performance, classroom behavior, and social interactions. This version includes parent and teacher reports, as well as a self-report option for older children, allowing for a multi-informant perspective. Identifying these challenges early helps educators and parents implement effective accommodations and support strategies in school settings. Key areas assessed include:

• Difficulty starting and completing homework or class assignments.
• Inconsistent focus and frequent distractibility in learning environments.
• Struggles with organization, time management, and following instructions.
• Forgetfulness in daily activities (e.g., losing school materials, forgetting tasks).
• Challenges in emotional control and peer relationships.

We have completed ADD/ADHD assessments for many children in the school systems of Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Oak Mountain, Homewood, including private schools and homeschooling. Most of which have sought medication intervention, ADD/ADHD counseling services, and academic accommodations following the completion of this assessment process.

Adolescent Version (Ages 12-18): As students enter adolescence, executive function demands increase, making ADHD symptoms more apparent in academic, social, and personal responsibilities. This version includes self-report, parent-report, and teacher-report forms, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation from multiple perspectives. The results can be used to guide individualized education plans (IEPs), 504 Plans, and other academic accommodations. This version assesses:

• Difficulties with sustained focus in lectures and independent study.
• Procrastination, disorganization, and trouble managing schoolwork.
• Inconsistent academic performance despite intelligence and effort.
• Struggles with self-regulation in emotions and impulsivity.
• Difficulties maintaining motivation and effort over extended periods.
• Challenges in social interactions, self-esteem, and frustration tolerance.
  

We have completed ADD/ADHD assessments for many adolescents in the school systems of Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Oak Mountain, Homewood, including private schools and homeschooling. Most of which have sought medication intervention, ADD/ADHD counseling services, and academic accommodations following the completion of this assessment process. 

Adult Version (Ages 18+): Many individuals with ADHD continue to experience executive function challenges into adulthood, often affecting work performance, relationships, time management, and emotional regulation. This version is based on self-reporting, with optional observer input from a partner, close family member, or coworker. The results can be used to support workplace accommodations, therapy, coaching, and medication management for adults seeking better executive function strategies. The adult version of the Brown ADD Scales assesses:

• Difficulty organizing tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Challenges with focus in meetings, work projects, and daily responsibilities.
• Procrastination and trouble with task initiation and completion.
• Forgetfulness in appointments, commitments, and personal obligations.
• Impulsivity in decision-making and emotional reactions.
• Struggles with stress management and frustration tolerance.

The Brown ADD Scales assess executive function challenges across six core areas: activation (organizing and initiating tasks), focus (sustaining and shifting attention), effort (maintaining energy and processing speed), emotion (managing frustration and mood regulation), memory (using working memory and recalling information), and action (self-monitoring and behavioral regulation). By analyzing these areas, the assessment provides a comprehensive profile/reportof an individual’s attentional and cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

In addition to the rating scales, the Brown ADD Diagnostic Form serves as a structured clinical interview, offering a deeper understanding of ADHD-related symptoms and their impact on daily functioning. This tool helps professionals differentiate ADHD from other conditions with overlapping symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or learning disorders.

The Brown ADD Scales are commonly used in clinical, educational, and workplace settings to aid in diagnosing ADHD, developing personalized treatment plans, and providing necessary accommodations under Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Whether used for personal insight, educational support, or workplace accommodations, this assessment provides a detailed and research-backed approach to understanding and managing attention-related challenges.

What happens after?

After completing the assessment, you will have the opportunity to discuss the results with the examiner immediately. Additionally, we offer discounted follow-up session packages tailored to your specific needs. These sessions typically include an in-depth, one-on-one review of your results, personalized education based on your assessment findings, and individualized treatment planning to help you succeed in areas of life affected by ADD/ADHD, comorbidities, and/or differential diagnoses. If you are interested in learning more about these follow-up options, please contact us, and we will provide you with all the information you need to make the best decision for your care.

In accordance with state law, individuals aged 14 and older have the right to confidentiality in mental health services. This includes the right to privacy regarding their assessment results and the right to be informed of these findings. While parents or guardians may be involved in the process, disclosure of specific details will require the examinee’s consent, except in cases where there is a legal or ethical obligation to disclose information, such as concerns about safety or mandated reporting requirements.

After your testing appointment, you will have the option to share your results with other professionals for further evaluation and treatment. Please note that we require a signed consent form before releasing this information, as this serves as your formal authorization for us to send the assessment results on your behalf.

If you are wanting to share your results with other professionals, we do this by compiling a comprehensive written report summarizing all aspects discussed during the evaluation. This report is highly detailed and requires time to develop, as we carefully analyze multiple factors related to ADD/ADHD, as well as other potential conditions or life experiences that may contribute to similar symptoms. Our goal is to provide a precise understanding of what may be causing these symptoms, ensuring that you and all professionals involved in your treatment receive the most accurate and thorough information to support your care. Most reports have been sent to professionals located in Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Hoover, Oak Mountain, and other local locations, but we can send the report to professionals located outside of the Birmingham, Alabama area.

Scheduling An Appointment & Pricing

To schedule an appointment and for details on pricing, please call our office manager, Mandy, at (205) 918-6161 or email at mandy@calvertandassociates.com

Michael Hoye is under supervision by Adam Calvert, Ed.S, LPC-S, CSAT-S