HEALTHY MINDS PSYCHIATRY · HERITAGE FAMILY MEDICINE · OLYMPIA, WA
ADHD Evaluation & Treatment in Olympia, WA
Compassionate ADHD Care for Adults, Teens & Children
ADHD is real, it’s diagnosable, and it’s highly treatable. You don’t have to keep struggling — help is closer than you think.
Written & reviewed by Dr. Rajwant Kler, DNP PMHNP-BC — Healthy Minds Psychiatry at Healthy Minds Psychiatry
UNDERSTANDING ADHD
ADHD evaluation and treatment in Olympia, WA — finally getting answers
If you’re in Olympia, WA or anywhere in Thurston County and you’ve spent years wondering why focusing feels impossibly hard, why time slips away from you, or why your brain seems to work differently than everyone else’s — you may have ADHD. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common and most under-diagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions in the United States, affecting children, teens, and adults alike.
At Healthy Minds Psychiatry, we take ADHD seriously across every age. Whether you’re a parent seeking answers for your child, a teenager struggling through school, or an adult who has managed — barely — for years without a diagnosis, Dr. Kler provides thorough evaluations, evidence-based treatment, and medication management in a stigma-free environment. No judgment. No shortcuts. Just real care.
WHAT IS ADHD?
More than distraction — a neurodevelopmental condition that affects daily life
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that interfere with functioning and development. It’s not a phase. It’s not laziness. And it doesn’t always look the way it’s portrayed on TV.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD affects approximately 8.7% of children and 4.4% of adults in the U.S. — and many adults reach their 30s, 40s, or beyond before receiving a diagnosis. ADHD often co-occurs with anxiety, depression, learning differences, and sleep disorders, which can make it harder to recognize and treat without a comprehensive evaluation.
| Predominantly Inattentive (formerly ADD) | Difficulty sustaining focus, following through on tasks, staying organized, and remembering details. Often missed in children — especially girls — because it doesn't involve obvious hyperactivity. |
| Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive | Difficulty sitting still, waiting, or thinking before acting. More commonly recognized in younger children. Can present as restlessness, talkativeness, or emotional impulsivity in adults. |
| Combined Presentation | The most common type in adults — a mix of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms that affect multiple areas of daily life. |
RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS
Common signs and symptoms of ADHD in children, teens, and adults
ADHD presents differently depending on age, gender, and presentation type. Here are some of the most common signs across the lifespan:
| In Children & Teens | In Adults |
|---|---|
| • Frequently loses homework, books, or belongings | • Chronic disorganization and missed deadlines |
| • Struggles to wait their turn or listen in class | • Difficulty starting or finishing projects |
| • Constantly on the go, difficulty sitting still | • Restlessness, fidgeting, or difficulty relaxing |
| • Blurts out answers or interrupts conversations | • Impulsive decisions — spending, relationships, work |
| • Avoids tasks requiring sustained mental effort | • Hyperfocus on interesting tasks, tuning out everything else |
| • Easily distracted by sounds, movement, or thoughts | • Emotional dysregulation, low frustration tolerance |
OUR TREATMENT APPROACH
How Healthy Minds Psychiatry evaluates and treats ADHD
An accurate ADHD diagnosis requires more than a quick questionnaire. At Healthy Minds Psychiatry, we take a thorough, whole-person approach — because the right diagnosis leads to the right treatment, and the right treatment changes lives.
Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
Dr. Kler conducts a detailed clinical interview covering your full symptom history, how ADHD is affecting your daily life, your medical and family history, and any co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression. For children and teens, parent and school input are factored into the assessment.
Accurate diagnosis across all ADHD presentations
We evaluate for all three ADHD subtypes — inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined — as well as conditions that can mimic ADHD symptoms, including anxiety, sleep disorders, and mood disorders. Getting the diagnosis right matters.
Evidence-based medication management (when appropriate)
When medication is the right fit, Dr. Kler prescribes and carefully monitors stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications — adjusting dosing over time for optimal results with minimal side effects. Every medication decision is explained clearly and made collaboratively.
Coordinated physical health support through our team of ARNPs
ADHD doesn't exist in isolation. Our team of ARNPs addresses physical health factors — sleep quality, nutrition, thyroid function, and cardiovascular health — that can directly affect ADHD symptoms and medication response, all under one roof.
Ongoing monitoring and medication follow-up
ADHD treatment is not set-and-forget. We schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor your response, manage medication refills, and adjust your plan as your needs change — whether you're a child growing through adolescence or an adult navigating new life demands.
TELEHEALTH OPTIONS
ADHD care available in person or via telehealth across Washington State
Scheduling ADHD follow-up appointments around school, work, and family life can be a challenge in itself. Healthy Minds Psychiatry offers secure telehealth for ADHD evaluations, medication management, and follow-up visits — available to patients in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and anywhere in Washington State.
| ADHD psychiatric evaluations | Stimulant & non-stimulant Rx management | Follow-up visits and check-ins |
| Mon–Fri 8am–5pm | Text-to-communicate: 360-704-2362 | Same-day appointments may be available |
WHY HEALTHY MINDS PSYCHIATRY
What makes our ADHD care different in Thurston County
ADHD evaluations are in short supply across Thurston County. Wait times at other clinics can stretch months — and many providers treat ADHD as an afterthought rather than a specialty. At Healthy Minds Psychiatry, ADHD is a clinical priority:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs about ADHD evaluation and treatment at Healthy Minds Psychiatry
Do you evaluate and treat ADHD in children, teens, and adults?
Yes. Dr. Kler provides ADHD evaluations and treatment for patients across the full lifespan — from school-age children to adults who are seeking a diagnosis for the first time. Each evaluation is tailored to the patient's age, presentation, and circumstances.
Do I need a referral for an ADHD evaluation?
No referral is required. You can contact Healthy Minds Psychiatry directly to schedule an ADHD evaluation with Dr. Kler — in person at our Olympia clinic or via telehealth anywhere in Washington State.
What does an ADHD evaluation involve?
Your evaluation includes a comprehensive clinical interview, a review of your symptom history and how ADHD is affecting daily functioning, screening for co-occurring conditions, and — for children — input from parents and school when available. We don't rush the diagnostic process because accuracy matters.
Will my child or I definitely be prescribed stimulant medication?
Not automatically. Stimulant medications are often effective for ADHD, but they're not the right fit for everyone. We discuss all evidence-based options — including non-stimulant medications and behavioral strategies — and make decisions collaboratively based on your individual situation, health history, and preferences.
Can you treat ADHD alongside anxiety, depression, or PTSD?
Absolutely. ADHD very commonly co-occurs with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Dr. Kler evaluates and treats co-occurring conditions together, so you're not left managing multiple separate care relationships. Everything is coordinated in one place.
Are you accepting new patients for ADHD evaluation in Olympia?
Yes — Healthy Minds Psychiatry at Healthy Minds Psychiatry is actively welcoming new patients. Visit heritagefamilymedicine.com/new-patient-form/ to request an appointment, or call/text us at 360-704-2362. Same-day appointments may be available.
Finally get the clarity you've been looking for.
ADHD evaluations and treatment are available now at Healthy Minds Psychiatry.
Serving Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and all of Thurston County, WA.
