- Conduct accurate diagnostic assessments and differentiate ADHD from other neurodevelopmental, emotional, and behavioural conditions
- Utilize an ecologically valid, multi-modal, and multi-informant assessment approach for diagnosing ADHD from a strengths-based perspective
- Implement ADHD assessment strategies across the lifespan
- Develop skills in effectively collaborating with parents/clients, communicating results while engaging stakeholders
Advanced Diagnosis of ADHD
Dr. Caroline Buzanko, Psychologist
A transformative workshop that redefines ADHD assessment through a neuroaffirmative, real-world lens - moving beyond checklists to deeper clinical clarity.
Excerpt:
- 6h of continuing education
- 39 lessons that last from 5 to 15 minutes each
- 1 certificate of achievement
- 1 PowerPoint
- 1 bibliography
- 1 course evaluation
- 4 months access - automatically extended until you complete the course
- 7-day money back guarantee
- 97% of participants who completed the satisfaction survey declare they would recommend this course to a colleague
Overview
ADHD rarely presents in isolation — and misdiagnosis is common. Across the lifespan, distinguishing ADHD from other emotional, developmental, and behavioural conditions remains one of the most complex challenges in clinical assessment.
This advanced-level training is designed for clinicians who want to move beyond checklists and surface-level symptoms. Grounded in ecological validity and real-life functioning, it offers a neuroaffirmative, strengths-based framework for ADHD assessment that respects the diversity of neurodevelopmental profiles.
Rather than reducing ADHD to outward behaviours, you will learn to interpret it through:
- executive functioning and developmental stage,
- environmental expectations and contextual variability,
- gender-related biases in presentation and recognition,
- and the cognitive and emotional processing styles of neurodivergent individuals.
You will strengthen your ability to:
- Build a differential diagnostic framework that understands ADHD as a disorder of performance and inconsistency — not incompetence or deficit.
- Implement a multi-method, multi-informant approach that is culturally responsive and gender-aware.
- Engage parents and clients as collaborative partners in the assessment process to foster understanding, ownership, and diagnostic acceptance.
- Adapt your tools and clinical judgment across developmental stages, taking into account symptom masking and changes from childhood through adulthood.
Led by award-winning psychologist and international speaker Dr. Caroline Buzanko, this workshop provides a powerful reframing of what ADHD is — and what it is not.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with sharper clinical insight, a stronger diagnostic voice, and practical tools to support meaningful, accurate, and affirming outcomes for your clients.
Accreditation
About the expert
Dr. Caroline Buzanko, psychologist, since 2009, mother, and international speaker. She is the clinical director of Koru Family Psychology based in Alberta and an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Calgary.
She works with kids, teens, and their families to maximize confidence, forge resilience, and foster strong connections. With over twenty years working with families, her focus is on developing long-term success and well-being by creating meaningful change. She also trains other mental health professionals and educators to optimize their effectiveness working with children and teens.
Learning objectives
Learning material
A theoretical course illustrated with clinical examples. This course is composed of videos of 5 to 15 minutes each. The PowerPoint of the course to download.
Syllabus
- PowerPoint
- 1. Introduction
-
Understanding & Conceptualizing ADHD
- 2. DSM 5 TR Criteria Is Deficit Based & Not Neauroaffirmative
- 3. Medical vs. Social Model
- 4. Rethinking ADHD
- 5. Address Challenges and Criticisms
- 6. Textbook Approach
- 7. Parent Connection
-
Phase 1: Intake
- 8. Engage Parents Through Preparation
- 9. Interviews
- 10. Teacher and Student Interviews
-
Phase 2: Formal Assessment
- 11. Communicate with Parents Throughout
- 12. Assessment Success
- 13. Clinical Measures
- 14. Rating Scales part 1
- 15. Rating Scales part 2
- 16. Psychological Processes
- 17. Neuropsychological Testing
- 18. Psychometrist vs. Clinician
- 19. Clinic Observations
- 20. Assessment Process- Clinical Risks
- 21. Assessment Across the Lifespan
- 22. Adult ADHD- Beyond Childhood Symptoms
- 23. Assessing Impairment Challenges for Adults
- 24. Gender-bias
- 25. Comorbidities and Alternatives Explanations
- 26. Differential Diagnosis- Autism vs. ADHD
- 27. Comorbid ADHD and Autism
- 28. Measuring ADHD vs. Anxiety & Mood
- 29. ADHD and Externalizing Disorders
- 30. Interpreting & Integrating Data
- 31. The Use of Flow Charts
- 32. Decision Making Tree
- 33. Best Practice When Making a Diagnosis
-
Phase 3: Communicating Results
- 34. Maximizing Uptake
- 35. Flipping Vulnerabilities
- 36. Parents Must Have Understanding
- 37. Communicating Collaboratively
- 38. Follow Up and What's Next
- 39. Conclusion
- Bibliography
CE Credits
Download a certificate of successful completion.
Audience
This course is intended for mental health professionals.
Registration
Ask a question
Do you have a question? Then email us at contact@asadis.net
Frequently asked questions
-
How long do I have access to the course?
After your registration, the course is accessible anytime and from anywhere for 124 days. And if that’s not enough, we’ll automatically extend your access.
-
When does the course start?
That is entirely up to you! When you buy a course, you'll receive an access link that you can activate when you want.
-
Is there a student rate?
Yes there is! To learn more, email us at contact@asadis.net.
You may also be interested in:
Legal notice
The courses offered by ASADIS are accredited by different professional organisations. In addition, ASADIS is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. ASADIS maintains responsibility for the program.
The CPA’s approval of an individual, group, or organization as a CE Sponsor or Provider is restricted to the activities described in the approved application or annual report form. The CPA’s approval does not extend to any other CE activity the Sponsor or Provider might offer. In granting its approval, the CPA assumes no legal or financial obligations to Sponsors, Providers, or to those individuals who might participate in a Sponsor or Provider’s CE activities or programs. Further, responsibility for the content, provision, and delivery of any CE activity approved by the CPA remains that of the CE Sponsor or Provider. The CPA disclaims all legal liability associated with the content, provision, and delivery of the approved CE activity.