- 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
Master neuroaffirmative ADHD assessment: move beyond checklists to diagnostically precise, ecologically valid evaluations across the lifespan.
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
- 7-day money back guarantee
- Unlimited access
- 97% of participants who completed the satisfaction survey declare they would recommend this course to a colleague
Overview
ADHD rarely presents in isolation, and the boundaries between ADHD and other neurodevelopmental, emotional, and behavioral conditions remain difficult to navigate—particularly when symptoms overlap, mask one another, or shift across developmental stages.
In this advanced training, Dr. Caroline Buzanko—psychologist, clinical director of Koru Family Psychology, adjunct assistant professor at the University of Calgary, and international speaker specializing in neurodevelopmental assessment—equips you to conduct diagnostically precise, ecologically valid ADHD assessments that honor neurodiversity while addressing real-world functional impairment.
Grounded in a strengths-based, neuroaffirmative paradigm, this course moves beyond symptom checklists to examine ADHD as a disorder of performance variability—shaped by executive functioning demands, environmental contexts, developmental transitions, and the interaction between neurological difference and social expectations. Through this training, you will:
- Refine your differential diagnostic framework by integrating anxiety, trauma responses, learning disorders, and other neurodevelopmental profiles into a cohesive clinical formulation.
- Apply structured and flexible interview techniques, rating scales and observational methods across settings to capture inconsistency, situational performance, and the impact of environmental demands.
- Recognize how ADHD presents differently across gender, culture, and developmental stage and adjust clinical interpretation accordingly.
- Develop practical strategies for transparent communication throughout the assessment process, from intake preparation through results interpretation, fostering diagnostic acceptance, shared understanding, and readiness for intervention planning.
By the end of this workshop, you will have consolidated a comprehensive, ecologically grounded assessment model that translates diagnostic data into functional insight and intervention strategy—with sharper clinical judgment for navigating diagnostic ambiguity, a structured yet flexible approach to complex cases, and practical tools to support accurate, affirming, and actionable outcomes for neurodivergent clients across the lifespan.
Accreditation
About the expert
Dr. Caroline Buzanko is a registered psychologist, clinical director of Koru Family Psychology in Alberta, and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Calgary. With over twenty years of clinical experience, she specializes in neurodevelopmental assessment and intervention for children, adolescents, and families.
Dr. Buzanko is internationally recognized for her expertise in comprehensive psychological assessment, particularly in differential diagnosis of ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Her clinical work emphasizes neuroaffirmative, strengths-based approaches that honor neurodiversity while addressing functional impairment across home, school, and community settings.
As a sought-after international speaker and trainer, Dr. Buzanko has trained thousands of mental health professionals and educators in evidence-based assessment and intervention strategies. Her work focuses on translating diagnostic data into meaningful intervention planning, promoting collaborative relationships with families, and developing ecologically valid assessment approaches that capture real-world functioning.
Dr. Buzanko's clinical philosophy centers on maximizing confidence, forging resilience, and fostering strong connections for neurodivergent individuals and their families. She is passionate about training clinicians to conduct diagnostically precise assessments that lead to actionable outcomes and long-term success for clients across the lifespan.
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
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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
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Phase 1: Intake
- 8. Engage Parents Through Preparation
- 9. Interviews
- 10. Teacher and Student Interviews
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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
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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.
Your comments
"I thought this was one of the best trainings that I have taken in a very long time. Thank you very much"
A psychologist (Canada)
Registration
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Frequently asked questions
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Is there an evaluation at the end of the course?
To validate the achievement of the learning objectives, a final evaluation in the form of true/false questions is required. It must be completed in order to obtain the certificate of completion.
In addition, an optional self-assessment is offered at the beginning and end of the course, allowing you to measure your progress on the targeted skills.
These evaluations are not graded and are intended primarily to support your professional reflection.
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I have a disability. Can I receive specific support?
Yes! This training is offered as a pre-recorded video format, without subtitles. If you have a disability, we can provide an adapted alternative (technical assistance for viewing or individual supervision). For any request, please contact our disability coordinator at the following address: contact@asadis.net
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How long do I have access to the course?
After your registration, the course is accessible anytime and from anywhere with unlimited access.
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When does the course start?
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