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Five ADHD questions. Five different doors.

A clinical diagnosis, a medication visit, a broader testing battery, a K–12 school evaluation, and college documentation do different jobs. Begin with the decision you need made.

By TherapyCalifornia Editorial · Route facts checked October 6, 2026

Official route facts checked. Clinical and California access/legal review are pending. No professional-review badge is displayed. This preview remains outside search indexes until those exact-revision reviews clear. It does not diagnose ADHD or choose a program for you.

Start with one answer

What must this evaluation decide?

Choose the sentence closest to yours. It will set one filter below. It will not rank a clinic, send a request, or decide whether an evaluator is right for you.

01Diagnosis

I need to know whether ADHD fits.

Look for a clinical evaluation that considers symptoms, history, daily life, and other possible explanations.

Show matching routes 02Medication

I need someone to discuss medicine with me.

Look for a medication evaluation. A testing report and a prescribing visit are not the same appointment.

Show matching routes 03Broader testing

I need a fuller picture of learning or thinking.

Look for psychological or neuropsychological testing when the decision is broader than ADHD alone.

Show matching routes 04K–12 school

My child’s school needs to decide support.

Start with the school evaluation route when the decision is about special education or school services.

Show matching routes 05College

My college asked for documentation.

Read the college’s own rules first. A diagnosis does not guarantee that a report meets its documentation policy.

Show matching routes
The expensive mistake

Do not buy a report until you know who must use it.

A clinician may be able to diagnose ADHD without producing the testing report a school or college asks for. A school evaluation may decide educational services without becoming a private medical evaluation. Ask the person requesting documentation what decision it must support, who may write it, and how current it must be.

Read the California college documentation checklist →
11 source-checked routes · not a ranking

Narrow the doors, not your story.

Use only the menus. There is no free-text box, location lookup, account, or saved search. These filters change what is visible in this already-loaded page and make no request to a server.

Showing all 11 checked routes.

Read the status before the name

A route is not an opening.

Intake route verified
An official source posts a way to begin. This does not mean the program is accepting new people.
Acceptance unconfirmed
The program or route is posted, but current acceptance was not confirmed.
Paused
An official source says some or all new evaluations are paused.
Not applicable
This is a navigation, school, or education route rather than a clinical intake.
Intake route verifiedClinical service

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals

Hyperactivity, Attention & Learning Problems Clinic

Decision jobDiagnosisBroader testing
How to start

Use the clinic's request form or call 415-476-7000 and ask for the HALP Clinic.

415-476-7000

This is the posted route to ask. It is not a statement about openings, wait time, eligibility, coverage, or fit.

For
Children from preschool through college age who may need a full ADHD and learning evaluation.
Ages
Child · Teen · College student
Area
San Francisco Bay Area · San Francisco · San Francisco
Coverage
Not posted—ask.
Who starts or sends it
The visit page says a doctor's referral or insurance approval may be required for some families.
Payment route
Commercial insurance
Cost
Not posted—ask.
Document or decision produced
Not posted—ask.
Limits named by the source
The clinic describes a full-day workup with medical screening, interviews, and psychological and neuropsychological tests, and recommends scheduling during the school year because information from teachers is essential. The page does not state how soon an evaluation can happen.
Intake route verifiedClinical service

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals

Developmental Medicine Clinic

Decision jobDiagnosis
How to start

Use the clinic's request form and ask whether the child's needs fit Developmental Medicine.

Direct program phone: Not posted—ask.

This is the posted route to ask. It is not a statement about openings, wait time, eligibility, coverage, or fit.

For
Children age 12 or younger with complex attention, development, learning, mood, or anxiety concerns.
Ages
Child
Area
San Francisco Bay Area · San Francisco · San Francisco
Coverage
Not posted—ask.
Who starts or sends it
Not posted—ask.
Payment route
Commercial insurance
Cost
Not posted—ask.
Document or decision produced
Not posted—ask.
Limits named by the source
The clinic serves children age 12 years or younger and primarily offers consultations to confirm a diagnosis and create a treatment plan. Its page says advanced testing and ongoing symptom management are referred to local agencies, and that children with urgent mental-health needs are referred to psychiatric care.
PausedClinical service

Stanford Medicine Children's Health

Middle Childhood Developmental Consultation Program

Decision jobDiagnosisBroader testing
How to start

Use another evaluation route while the posted pause remains. The page gives (650) 643-1432; check the official page before asking a pediatrician to refer.

Direct program phone: Not posted—ask.

This is the posted route to ask. It is not a statement about openings, wait time, eligibility, coverage, or fit.

For
Children older than 6 years 11 months through age 13 whose family was considering Stanford developmental pediatrics.
Ages
Child
Area
South Bay · Santa Clara · Palo Alto
Coverage
Not posted—ask.
Who starts or sends it
Not posted—ask.
Payment route
Commercial insurance
Cost
Not posted—ask.
Document or decision produced
Not posted—ask.
Limits named by the source
This program assesses children in elementary and middle school up to age 12. Stanford says acceptance of new referrals for children over 6 years 11 months at the time of referral is paused, and that it will reopen to new referrals in late 2026. Re-read on 6 October 2026: the pause was still posted and the date was still the same plan, not a promised start date.
Intake route verifiedClinical service

Stanford Health Care

ADHD Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic

Decision jobDiagnosisMedication
How to start

Complete Stanford's student form, create a Stanford Health Care MyHealth account, and call SHC Psychiatry Intake at 650-498-9111, option 2 for students.

650-498-9111

This is the posted route to ask. It is not a statement about openings, wait time, eligibility, coverage, or fit.

For
Stanford students seeking a formal ADHD assessment or medication care.
Ages
Adult · College student
Area
South Bay · Santa Clara · Stanford · Palo Alto
Coverage
Not posted—ask.
Who starts or sends it
Stanford students may start the published registration process themselves.
Payment route
Student health
Cost
$35 copay for Cardinal Care; other insurance costs vary.
Document or decision produced
Formal ADHD assessment.
Limits named by the source
This route is for Stanford students. Completing registration does not promise a visit date. Vaden medical and mental health clinics moved to Stanford Health Care on September 1, 2026; the transition FAQ, rechecked on 2026-10-06, says eligibility, clinic locations, clinical staff and hours are unchanged, and that records now run through MyHealth rather than Point and Click.
Intake route verifiedClinical service

Stanford University and Children's Health Council

Schwab Learning Center evaluation

Decision jobBroader testingCollege
How to start

Register through Stanford's Schwab Learning Center request link. For priority scheduling, the current Stanford page says to call CAPS at 650-723-3785 and ask for a consultation visit to discuss a formal referral.

Direct program phone: Not posted—ask.

This is the posted route to ask. It is not a statement about openings, wait time, eligibility, coverage, or fit.

For
Stanford students with at least one year of enrollment left who need an ADHD or learning-disability evaluation.
Ages
College student
Area
South Bay · Santa Clara · Palo Alto · Stanford
Coverage
Stanford students must have at least one year of enrollment left before graduation for the no-fee evaluation route described on the page; Stanford states there are no age limits.
Who starts or sends it
Students may request an evaluation. A formal CAPS referral receives priority scheduling, and Stanford says students must meet a learning specialist at least three times.
Payment route
Student health
Cost
$0 for eligible Stanford students.
Document or decision produced
A psychoeducational evaluation completed by a licensed psychologist.
Limits named by the source
Stanford describes several in-person sessions over months and a typical three-to-four-month wait between registration and the first evaluation session, so it tells students to register early if accommodations are urgent. The direct Schwab program phone is not posted on the cited pages. Vaden and CAPS moved to Stanford Health Care on September 1, 2026; the referral route above was re-read after that change.
Intake route verifiedNavigation only

Kaiser Permanente

Northern California mental health access line

Decision jobDiagnosis
How to start

Call Kaiser's Northern California mental-health and addiction-medicine line at 888-937-5748, open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and ask who evaluates ADHD for your plan. After hours the same number reaches the crisis call centre, which does not book evaluations.

888-937-5748

This is the posted route to ask. It is not a statement about openings, wait time, eligibility, coverage, or fit.

For
Kaiser members in Alameda County who need to find out which department handles an ADHD assessment.
Ages
Child · Teen · Adult
Area
East Bay · Alameda · Oakland · Fremont · Berkeley · San Leandro · Hayward · Union City
Coverage
Kaiser Permanente members; benefit and copay details depend on the member's plan.
Who starts or sends it
Kaiser's regional page says members do not need a doctor referral to start mental health care.
Payment route
Commercial insurance
Cost
Not posted—ask.
Document or decision produced
Not posted—ask.
Limits named by the source
Kaiser publishes this line for mental health care in general. It names no ADHD assessment program at any East Bay medical center, states no assessment method, and posts no timing. This record is a navigation door, not proof that a named ADHD service exists.
PausedClinical service

UC Berkeley

Psychology Clinic Center for Assessment

Decision jobBroader testingCollege
How to start

The assessment waitlist is closed on the checked page. The clinic's therapy waitlist is open on a separate intake voicemail, 510-642-4459. Read the official page again before calling 510-642-2055.

510-642-2055

This is the posted route to ask. It is not a statement about openings, wait time, eligibility, coverage, or fit.

For
Bay Area children, teens, and adults considering reduced-fee ADHD or learning assessment.
Ages
Child · Teen · Adult
Area
East Bay · Alameda · Berkeley
Coverage
The clinic describes a reduced fee based on household income.
Who starts or sends it
Not posted—ask.
Payment route
Training clinic or lower-cost route · Self-pay
Cost
Not posted—ask.
Document or decision produced
Assessment results; ask whether the report will meet the rule of the school, employer, or testing body that needs it.
Limits named by the source
The page says ADHD assessments were offered in the past and says the assessment waitlist is closed. It also excludes court and legal evaluations, and says services run during the academic year while caseloads last.
Intake route verifiedNavigation only

Alameda County Behavioral Health Department

First Step: Behavioral Health Connection, Screening and Referral

Decision jobDiagnosisMedication
How to start

Call or text 800-491-9099 and ask which part of the county or Medi-Cal system owns the ADHD evaluation question.

800-491-9099

This is the posted route to ask. It is not a statement about openings, wait time, eligibility, coverage, or fit.

For
Alameda County residents of all ages with Medi-Cal, or who are underinsured or uninsured, who need help finding the right behavioural-health door.
Ages
Child · Teen · Adult
Area
East Bay · Alameda · Oakland · Fremont · Berkeley · San Leandro · Hayward
Coverage
The county says First Step serves clients of all ages who have Medi-Cal or are underinsured or not insured and who have mental health and substance use care needs.
Who starts or sends it
A resident or family may call or text to ask about services and eligibility.
Payment route
Medi-Cal or public route
Cost
Not posted—ask.
Document or decision produced
Not posted—ask.
Limits named by the source
This is a benefits and referral door, not a named ADHD clinic. The county does not promise ADHD testing or a specific clinician through this line, and states that First Step is for screening and referrals, not crisis services. Renamed from ACCESS in 2026 on the same number; the county retired the ACCESS page.
Intake route verifiedNavigation only

County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services

Behavioral Health Call Center

Decision jobDiagnosisMedication
How to start

Call 800-704-0900 and press 1, then ask which plan or county service owns the ADHD evaluation question.

800-704-0900

This is the posted route to ask. It is not a statement about openings, wait time, eligibility, coverage, or fit.

For
Santa Clara County residents with Medi-Cal, Medicare, or no insurance who need care navigation.
Ages
Child · Teen · Adult
Area
South Bay · Santa Clara · San Jose · Santa Clara · Sunnyvale · Mountain View · Gilroy
Coverage
Santa Clara County residents with Medi-Cal, Medicare, or no insurance.
Who starts or sends it
A resident, family member, or helper may call for screening and connection.
Payment route
Medi-Cal or public route
Cost
Not posted—ask.
Document or decision produced
Not posted—ask.
Limits named by the source
This is a screening and referral line, not a named ADHD clinic. The county does not promise ADHD testing or a specific clinician through this call, and says calls are recorded for quality assurance unless the caller asks otherwise.
Not applicableEducational route

California Department of Health Care Services

Medi-Cal for Kids & Teens diagnostic benefit

Decision jobDiagnosisBroader testing
How to start

Call the member's Medi-Cal plan and ask which provider handles the exact diagnostic question. For general Medi-Cal help, call 800-541-5555.

800-541-5555

This is the posted route to ask. It is not a statement about openings, wait time, eligibility, coverage, or fit.

For
Full-scope Medi-Cal members under age 21 and their parents or caregivers.
Ages
Child · Teen · Under 21
Area
California
Coverage
Full-scope Medi-Cal members under age 21 may receive medically necessary screening, diagnostic, and treatment services at no cost unless they have a Share of Cost.
Who starts or sends it
The plan or provider decides medical need case by case and routes the service.
Payment route
Medi-Cal or public route
Cost
$0 for covered, medically necessary services, unless the member has a Share of Cost.
Document or decision produced
Not posted—ask.
Limits named by the source
This is a coverage rule, not a clinic list or an automatic approval for a certain test battery. Ask who owns the diagnostic question before booking private testing.
Not applicableEducational route

California Department of Education

Diagnostic Center, Northern California

Decision jobK–12 school
How to start

Ask the student's school team whether the district should refer after local assessment and support options have been used.

510-794-2500

This is the posted route to ask. It is not a statement about openings, wait time, eligibility, coverage, or fit.

For
K–12 students with complex learning or behavior needs after local school resources have been used.
Ages
Child · Teen · K12 Student
Area
Northern California · Alameda · Alpine · Butte · Contra Costa · Del Norte · El Dorado · Glenn · Humboldt · Lake · Lassen · Marin · Mendocino · Modoc · Monterey · Napa · Nevada · Placer · Plumas · Sacramento · San Benito · San Francisco · San Mateo · Santa Clara · Santa Cruz · Shasta · Sierra · Siskiyou · Solano · Sonoma · Sutter · Tehama · Trinity · Yolo · Yuba · Fremont
Coverage
The state says there is no charge to the school district or family.
Who starts or sends it
The school district makes the referral. A family cannot place the referral by itself.
Payment route
School evaluation, no family fee
Cost
$0 to the district and family.
Document or decision produced
A comprehensive written report with education-focused findings and teaching strategies.
Limits named by the source
This is a school-system evaluation for complex education questions, for students aged 2.9 through 22 whose needs cannot be met locally. It is not a medical ADHD clinic, and the district must decide to refer. California runs three centres: Fremont, Fresno and Los Angeles.
Ask before you pay

Make the office name the decision and the document.

“I need an evaluation for [diagnosis / medication / broader testing / K–12 support / college documentation]. Do you make that exact decision for someone my age? What document do you produce, who accepts it, what does it cost, and is your intake currently open?”
Official sources and dates

Every route has a source. Every gap stays a gap.

Route facts were checked October 6, 2026. The next source review is due January 4, 2027. A review date does not make a phone number, policy, fee, or intake status permanent. Confirm time-sensitive details with the office that owns the route.

Missing information appears exactly as: Not posted—ask. We do not turn a missing fact into a guess.

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Diagnosing ADHDChecked October 6, 2026
  2. U.S. Department of Education: OCR Dear Colleague Letter on ADHD and Section 504Checked October 6, 2026
  3. UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals: Hyperactivity, Attention & Learning Problems (HALP) ClinicChecked October 6, 2026
  4. UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals: Developmental Medicine ClinicChecked October 6, 2026
  5. Stanford Medicine Children's Health: Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Visit PreparationChecked October 6, 2026
  6. Stanford University Medical Services: Neurodiversity and Disability at StanfordChecked October 6, 2026
  7. Stanford University Medical Services: Mental Health — Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderChecked October 6, 2026
  8. Stanford University Vaden Health Services: Vaden Transition to Stanford Health Care Clinic FAQChecked October 6, 2026
  9. Kaiser Permanente: Mental Health Services in Northern CaliforniaChecked October 6, 2026
  10. UC Berkeley Psychology Clinic: Our ServicesChecked October 6, 2026
  11. Alameda County Behavioral Health Department: First Step: Behavioral Health Connection, Screening and ReferralChecked October 6, 2026
  12. County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services: Talk to someone nowChecked October 6, 2026
  13. California Department of Health Care Services: Medi-Cal for Kids & Teens — Provider InformationChecked October 6, 2026
  14. California Department of Health Care Services: Medi-Cal for Kids & Teens — Member InformationChecked October 6, 2026
  15. California Department of Education: Diagnostic CentersChecked October 6, 2026

What inclusion means: an official source documents a route that can help answer at least one of the five decisions. Inclusion is computed, never purchased. Order is not a rating, recommendation, quality score, or statement of clinical fit.

What this page does not claim: it does not say a route is accepting people, has an opening, will diagnose ADHD, will prescribe medication, will be covered, or will produce documentation another institution accepts.

Privacy: this page has no analytics, advertising pixels, session recording, free-text fields, browser storage, location lookup, or network request from its filters. The menus only hide and show facts already on the page.