ADHD is a diagnosis of elimination. Neuropsychology evaluation can identify deiscrepancies that pattern with ADHD, but (at least in my region) a pediatrician makes the ADHD diagnosis. There are many things that can cause "ADHD" symptoms. Sleep disorders are a common cause. I have an autonomic nervous system disorder that presents as ADHD symptoms. My niece had/has high blood lead levels which presented as ADHD.
My son has had two neuropsychology evaluations. The first was 100% covered by insurance. Surprise! The second, two years later, was not covered by insurance, but we had it done at a college by a graduate student (supervised). It was only $200. The second (student) report was much more informational. The first evaluator's (PhD, clinic setting) report was a rant on why grade-skipping is bad - and not evidence based!
My son saw a psychologist to rule out depression or anxiety. Then a pediatrician. his ADHD diagnosis was based on neuropsych, no evidence of anxiety, depression, or sleep disorder, and responses to the parent behavioral questionnaire.
My son was not eligible for IEP because he's above grade level, but he has a 504. The only determining factor for 504 was existing diagnosis - I did not have to prove it - and that he required more teacher promoting than other classmates with ADHD - while his medication was optimal. It just may not be *that* hard to get evaluation, diagnosis, and academic support accomplished.
