Welcome to the World of Virtual ADHD Testing and Treatment

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Do you or someone you know relate to having difficulty with things like initiating tasks, forgetting things, interrupting, distractibility, time management and organization? ADHD in adults and adolescents is characterized by difficulties with these executive functions, or in short, productivity. It is not a lack of understanding or will-power, but rather a very real experience of neurodiversity within the brain that makes productivity a struggle across all areas of life. 

Throughout British Columbia, we are faced with an increasing shortage of medical providers (Ministry of Health, 2025). In fact, due to an overwhelming demand and a lack of services, the University of British Columbia's psychology clinic has stopped accepting new requests for ADHD referrals (n.d).

As a way to serve the community, and address this shortage, Cognito Health is leading the way with a 100% remote ADHD diagnostic assessment and treatment – an all-in-one mental health care clinic.

In this article, we will explore what to expect during an online ADHD assessment with Cognito, treatment paths available, and who might benefit most from this model. 

What Is an Online ADHD Assessment?

An online ADHD assessment is a 100% virtual process, where a trained medical provider will assess if a client’s symptoms are classified as ADHD. Medical providers will use a variety of methods during the assessment process. The methods include standardized questionnaires, medical history review and clinical interviews. 

At Cognito Health, the assessment is conducted by a licensed Nurse Practitioner, trained in the most up-to-date diagnostic processes. Our clinical team is also supervised by two consulting Psychiatrists, Doctor Comeau and Doctor Koopmans, to ensure high clinical standards for accurate diagnosing.

How ADHD Is Diagnosed Online

Clinical interviews and diagnostic criteria

The diagnostic criteria of ADHD is found in the DSM-5, which is one of the assessment tools our team uses when identifying ADHD symptoms. At Cognito Health, the ADHD process relies on two clinical interviews. The first one is the initial assessment, which allows our clinical team to get a holistic picture of the client’s needs. The second interview is the diagnostic assessment.

Screening tools and symptom questionnaires

The team uses a variety of screening tools, including the standardized SNAP-IV and the Weiss Symptom Record 2. The forms we use are all in compliance with the regulatory standards for ADHD assessments. 

Ruling out other conditions

The purpose behind the initial clinical interview is to rule out other conditions with similar ADHD symptoms. For example, chronic stress, high anxiety and frequent cannabis use can have ADHD-like symptoms such as difficulty with attention and motivation (Harvard Health Publishing, 2018).

What to Expect From Cognito's Online ADHD Assessment Process

Here is a simple overview of the ADHD assessment process at Cognito. If you’d like a more detailed run through, check out this article.

1. Initial intake and screening: This clinical interview serves two purposes: getting a holistic view of the client and ruling out other conditions that look like ADHD
   

2. ADHD diagnostic assessment appointment: The 45 minute assessment, which will use the client’s information provided on the ADHD forms and other relevant clinical information.
   

3. Diagnosis results and feedback: At the end of your appointment, you will receive either a positive or negative diagnosis for ADHD
   

4. Treatment planning: The medical provider will send you a message with their recommended treatment options, which could include medication and ADHD coaching. Please note that to begin treatment with Cognito, patients need to subscribe to one of the treatment plans we offer.
   

5. Ongoing care and follow-up: If you decide to subscribe to a plan that includes medication management, our Nurse Practitioners will closely monitor your symptoms and medication over time to provide safe, personalized care.

Is Online ADHD Assessment Legitimate and Accurate?

Yes, if done with the right professionals. Cognito health provides an assessment that is evidence-based and thorough, using the principles from Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA) to guide the assessment process. 

Cognito guarantees the following important considerations for your virtual ADHD diagnostic process: 

• Other than it being virtual, there is no difference to the criteria and screening tools used when compared to in person assessments.

• The assessment is conducted by a licensed Nurse Practitioner under the guidance of two consulting psychiatrists.

• The diagnostic assessment follows guidelines set by CADDRA (Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance), the leading national standard for ADHD diagnostics.

An occasion when online assessment may not be appropriate is for complex cases. For example, if someone is experiencing severe depression and anxiety symptoms and thoughts of self-harm, as well as other conditions such as eating disorders, personality disorders, or PTSD. In these cases, the person would benefit from seeing a medical provider in person, who they already have a relationship with. 

ADHD Treatment Options Delivered Virtually

Online Medication Management

If a client is diagnosed with ADHD, Cognito Health is proud to offer medication management options alongside evidence based skill building techniques. Our Nurse Practitioners are specialized in ADHD medication management, and are ready to support you in finding the right medication and dose with continuous monitoring. All medical providers at Cognito Health prioritize safety and compliance, including awareness of the side effects of medication and the unique medical history of every individual.

Online Therapy for ADHD

We recognize that not everyone is interested in medication. That’s why, at Cognito Health, our patients can select the treatment plan that suits their needs. Just because they receive a positive diagnosis for ADHD does not make it mandatory for them to take medication. We are proud to offer what is known in therapy as the gold standard: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It receives the nickname gold standard because this is the most evidence backed form of talk therapy on earth (David et al., 2018). Cognito health has CBT providers that will share theoretical knowledge, as well as practical implementation of evidence based techniques; these techniques are focused on things like time management, motivation, organization, emotional regulation and more.

You can learn more about CBT and ADHD by reading the article The Role of CBT Therapy in ADHD Management.

Benefits of Online ADHD Assessment

• Time efficient - Avoid traffic delays, parking scarcity and travel time
  
  
• Reduced wait times - No delays while sitting in uncomfortable waiting room chairs
  
  
• Closely monitored care - A dedicated team-based approach to ensure your care is complete
  
  
• Privacy and comfort - Take your appointments in the privacy and comfort of your own home or office

To learn more about virtual CBT, check out our article on the topic here.

Who Is a Good Fit for Online ADHD Care?

Our online ADHD care was designed for anyone who does not have the time to wait for an assessment. At Cognito Health, we are waitlist free. That means, as soon as you sign up, you can begin to complete the prerequisites for your ADHD diagnostic assessment. Whether you’re looking to start your first diagnostic experience, searching for a second opinion through a more rigorous assessment, or just looking for supportive ADHD services, Cognito is here for you!

Many of our clients are:

• Busy professionals
• Current or returning students
• People in underserved or rural areas where medical support is difficult to access
• Those already diagnosed looking for treatment support

Online ADHD Assessment and Treatment in British Columbia and Ontario

With Cognito Health, in order to abide by provincial regulations, clients need to be in British Columbia or Ontario at the time of their assessment and ongoing treatment. This is because our medical providers are licensed to work across these two provinces, and licensing differs across Canada.

Cognito Health believes in making ADHD assessments accessible and accepts a variety of insurances such as Blue Shield, Manulife, Sunlife and more. Click here to see our insurance calculator. We are also one of the few providers to offer Klarna, which allows the option to pay in smaller installments over time, rather than all up front. You can find a breakdown of our prices here.

How to Choose a Reputable Online ADHD Provider

Getting an ADHD diagnosis and exploring the pathways for treatment is a big step. Once the decision has been made to pursue an ADHD assessment, here are some key considerations to note before choosing your provider:

• Ensure that the staff are using evidence-based treatments and are specifically ADHD trained.
• Ask questions to fully understand the assessment process, and to uncover any hidden fees or delays. 
• Inquire if the provider offers the option of continued care and support after diagnosis
  

Adult ADHD symptoms are becoming more present than ever, and in a time of medical provider shortages, Cognito Health is here to help. An online ADHD assessment with Cognito health is certified, effective and accessible. If you or someone you know could benefit from an assessment, invite them to ask questions about our services. Get started here.

References

ADDA Editorial Team. (2025, December 19). 10 signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults (and when to get help). ADDA - Attention Deficit Disorder Association. https://add.org/signs-of-adhd/

David, D., Cristea, I., & Hofmann, S. G. (2018, January 29). Why cognitive behavioral therapy is the current gold standard of psychotherapy. Frontiers in psychiatry. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5797481/

Harvard Health Publishing. (2018, January 9). 5 common problems that can mimic ADHD. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-common-problems-that-can-mimic-adhd-2018010913065

Ministry of Health. (2025, October 16). BC’s primary care system. Province of British Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/bcs-primary-care-system

UBC Psychology Clinic. (n.d.). Adults. https://clinic.psych.ubc.ca/services/adults/