Therapy Trainings® Presents

Clinical Foundations of ADHD: Diagnosis and Differential Factors

3 CE Hours

This self-paced ADHD course provides mental health professionals with essential clinical knowledge for accurately diagnosing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and differentiating it from conditions with overlapping symptoms. Learn evidence-based assessment strategies, DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, and how to identify ADHD presentations across the lifespan.

Target Audience: Mental Health Professionals Content Level: Beginning to Advanced Format: Text & Audio / Self-Paced
Enroll in This Course — $45 Get All 100+ Courses — $75/Year
NBCC Approved ASWB ACE Approved NAADAC Approved Instant Certificate
NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider ASWB ACE Approved Provider NAADAC Approved Provider

ADHD Course Overview

This 3-hour continuing education course equips mental health professionals with the clinical foundations needed to accurately assess and diagnose Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders, yet it remains frequently misdiagnosed due to symptom overlap with anxiety, depression, trauma, and other conditions.

Participants will explore the neurobiological underpinnings of ADHD, master the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria, and develop skills for conducting comprehensive differential diagnoses. This course addresses ADHD presentations in children, adolescents, and adults, with special attention to how symptoms manifest differently across age groups, genders, and cultural contexts.

ADHD Learning Objectives

Upon completing this ADHD continuing education course, mental health professionals will be able to:

  • Apply DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for ADHD, including the three presentation types: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined presentation
  • Identify the neurobiological factors underlying ADHD, including executive function deficits and dopamine dysregulation
  • Differentiate ADHD from conditions with overlapping symptoms, including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and trauma-related disorders
  • Recognize how ADHD symptoms present differently in children, adolescents, and adults
  • Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments using validated ADHD screening tools and structured interviews
  • Identify gender-specific presentations of ADHD and reduce diagnostic bias in clinical practice
  • Evaluate common ADHD comorbidities including learning disabilities, oppositional defiant disorder, and substance use disorders
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Course curriculum

    1. About the Course

    2. Copyright Notice for Therapy Trainings™

    1. Historical Perspectives on ADHD

    2. Understanding ADHD Across the Lifespan

    3. ADHD in the DSM-5 and ICD-11

    4. References

    1. Brain Structures Implicated in ADHD

    2. Genetic and Heritable Factors

    3. Neurodevelopmental Trajectories

    4. References

    1. Comprehensive Clinical Interview Techniques

    2. Standardized ADHD Assessment Tools

    3. Collateral Information and Multi-source Data

    4. References

    1. Inattention: Presentation and Clinical Examples

    2. Hyperactivity and Impulsivity Explained

    3. Subtypes and Symptom Clusters

    4. References

    1. Anxiety vs. ADHD: Symptom Overlap and Divergence

    2. ADHD and Mood Disorders: Clarifying Confusion

    3. ASD and ADHD: Co-occurrence and Differentiation

    4. References

About this course

  • $45.00
  • 41 lessons
  • 0 hours of video content

About the Author

Matt Grammer, LPCC-S is the founder of Therapy Trainings™, Kentucky Counseling Center®, and Counseling Now®. He has over 15 years of experience as a clinician, private practice operator, and consultant. He holds dual Masters degrees in Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. KY LPCC-S #164069

Consulting Team:
Social Work Consultant is Alicia Trager, LCSW
Marriage and Family Therapy Consultant is Matt White, MFT
Psychology Consultant is Brett Donnelly, Psy.D.

Course Completion & CE Info

Course completion requirements: To earn CE credit, professionals must purchase the course, read/listen to the presentation, and complete the posttest (with a passing score of 80%) and course evaluation. Posttests may be retaken as many times as you need. Certificates of completion are available as an instant download immediately after course completion and can be accessed from your account anytime.

Continuing Education Approvals

This course has been approved by Therapy Trainings™, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 3 CE hours. NAADAC Provider #270493. Therapy Trainings™ is responsible for all aspects of its programming.

Therapy Trainings™ has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7439. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Therapy Trainings™ is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Therapy Trainings™, #1945, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 12/6/2024-12/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3 continuing education credits.

Therapy Trainings™ is approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT) as a continuing education provider.

Therapy Trainings™ is approved by the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors as a continuing education provider.

Therapy Trainings™ is approved by the Kentucky Board of Social Work as a continuing education provider. Provider #KBSWSP 202308.

Therapy Trainings™ is a CE Broker approved provider for Florida mental health professionals. CE Broker Provider #50-40520.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my board accept this ADHD CE course?
Therapy Trainings™ is approved by NBCC, ASWB ACE, and NAADAC—the major national CE approval bodies. Most state boards accept CE from these nationally approved providers. Check the State Board Approvals section below to confirm your state and profession are covered.
How long do I have to complete this course?
Once enrolled, you have 12 months to complete the course at your own pace. Work through the material on your schedule.
When will I receive my certificate?
Your certificate is available as an instant download immediately after you complete the course and pass the posttest. You can also access and download your certificates anytime from your account.
What if I don't pass the posttest?
You can retake the posttest as many times as you need at no additional cost. A passing score of 80% is required to earn your CE certificate.
Should I get the Unlimited CE plan instead?
If you need multiple CE courses for your license renewal, the Unlimited CE plan gives you access to our entire library of 100+ courses for one price. It's the best value if you need more than a few courses. Learn more about Unlimited CE

Ready to Get Started?

Complete your ADHD continuing education today. Self-paced, board-approved, with an instant certificate upon completion.

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