Frequently Asked Questions about ADHD and ASD Assessments

1. An initial appointment to discuss your concerns, background, goals, and whether assessment is appropriate.

2. A detailed clinical interview exploring your current experiences and relevant history.

3. Standardised questionnaires and psychological assessment measures.

4. Consideration of your developmental, educational, occupational, social, and mental health history.

5. Where appropriate and with your consent, information from a parent, partner, family member, teacher, or another person who knows you well.

6. Review of relevant documents, such as school reports, previous assessments, medical records, or workplace information.

7. A feedback appointment to discuss the findings.

8. A written psychological assessment report containing the outcome and personalised recommendations.

The assessment process is available both in person and via telehealth.

You do not require a referral to book a private psychological assessment. However, a referral or supporting letter from your general practitioner, psychiatrist, paediatrician, or another health professional may provide useful background information.

A referral does not mean that the assessment fee incur a rebate, as ADHD and ASD psychological assessment are not covered by Medicare. Please contact our clinic for clarification regarding fees or possible rebates.

The overall process usually involves several appointments completed over a number of weeks.

The amount of assessment time required depends on:

• Whether you are being assessed for ADHD, autism, or both

• The complexity of your history

• Whether additional cognitive, learning, or mental health assessment is required

• The availability of developmental information

• The number of questionnaires and interviews required

• Whether further information is needed before the assessment can be finalised

Appointments times can vary but they usually take around 1 ½ hours. Clients will tend to have 3 - 4 appointments and will receive their report around 2 weeks after their final session.

Yes. ADHD and autism frequently co-occur, and some people seek assessment because they identify with characteristics of both.

Two individual assessments may be appropriate when there is meaningful overlap between attention, executive functioning, sensory, social, communication, or behavioural experiences. We will discuss the most appropriate pathway during the initial appointment.

The first appointment allows the psychologist to understand:

• What has led you to seek an assessment

• Your current concerns and goals

• Your developmental, educational, occupational, social, and mental health history

• Any previous diagnoses or assessments

• Whether an ADHD, autism, or combined assessment is clinically appropriate

• Whether additional information or alternative services may be needed

The psychologist will also explain the assessment process, costs, and information required to proceed.

Attending an initial appointment does not guarantee that a diagnosis will be made. In some cases, the psychologist may recommend a different type of assessment or support pathway.

Developmental information is an important part of assessing neurodevelopmental conditions because ADHD and autism begin during the developmental period.

Where possible, it can be helpful to speak with a parent, caregiver, sibling, partner, or another person who has known you for a long time. School reports, childhood records, photographs, previous assessments, and other documents may also assist.

We understand that involving family is not always possible, appropriate, or emotionally safe. This may be due to estrangement, family circumstances, limited childhood records, differing family beliefs, or the loss of a family member. We will discuss the available sources of information with you and explain how any gaps may affect the conclusions that can be drawn.

No person will be contacted without your consent, except where required by law or where immediate safety obligations apply.

Doing well academically or professionally does not automatically rule out ADHD or autism.

Some people have strong intellectual abilities, supportive environments, highly developed coping strategies, or significant motivation that helps them compensate for their difficulties. Others may appear to function well externally while experiencing high levels of exhaustion, anxiety, overwhelm, or self-criticism.

The assessment considers both observable functioning and the internal effort required to maintain it.

Masking refers to intense effort required to consciously or unconsciously change, hide, or suppress natural behaviours in order to meet social expectations or avoid negative attention.

This might involve:

• Rehearsing conversations

• Copying other people’s expressions or communication styles

• Forcing eye contact

• Suppressing repetitive or self-regulating movements

• Closely monitoring how you are perceived

• Concealing confusion, overwhelm, or sensory distress

Masking can make neurodevelopmental differences less visible to others. It can also contribute to fatigue, anxiety, loss of self-understanding, or burnout. The assessment process considers possible masking while also examining developmental history and functioning across different settings.

Yes. Historically, some diagnostic descriptions and research focused heavily on presentations more commonly recognised in boys and men. Women, girls, gender-diverse people, and individuals who mask effectively have often been misrepresented in the research and may therefore be identified later or misdiagnosed with other conditions.

Assessment aims to consider the person’s individual presentation rather than relying on stereotypes.

Yes. Although ADHD and autism begin in childhood, many people are not identified until adulthood.

An adult assessment examines whether relevant characteristics were present during the developmental period, even if they were not recognised or diagnosed at the time. It also considers how these characteristics currently affect daily functioning.

No. An assessment is a process of carefully evaluating whether the available information supports a diagnosis.

Possible outcomes may include:

• The diagnostic criteria are met

• Some relevant characteristics are present, but the full criteria are not met

• Further assessment or information is required

• Another condition or explanation better accounts for the person’s experiences

• More than one diagnosis or contributing factor is identified

Regardless of the outcome, we aim to provide a helpful formulation and practical recommendations.

No. Questionnaires are only one part of a comprehensive assessment.

Screening tools can identify characteristics that warrant further exploration, but scores can be influenced by mental health symptoms, interpretation of questions, self-awareness, current stress, previous knowledge of neurodivergence, and other factors.

A diagnosis is not made from a single questionnaire. The psychologist integrates interview information, developmental history, observed presentation, standardised assessment results, functional impact, and relevant supporting information.

Online screening questionnaires can be useful starting points, but they cannot confirm a diagnosis.

A high score may indicate that further assessment could be worthwhile. It may also reflect overlapping concerns such as anxiety, trauma, depression, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, sleep difficulties, or other neurodevelopmental differences.

You are welcome to bring your results to the assessment, but the psychologist will need to complete an independent clinical evaluation.

Yes. ADHD and autism may occur alongside each other and alongside other conditions, including:

• Anxiety disorders

• Depression

• Trauma-related conditions

• Learning disorders

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Sleep difficulties

• Eating disorders

• Substance-use concerns

• Intellectual disability

• Language or communication differences

Identifying co-occurring concerns can be important when developing appropriate recommendations.

No. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication.

A psychologist can assess and diagnose ADHD within their professional scope and provide a psychological report. However, medication assessment and prescribing must be completed by an appropriately qualified medical practitioner, such as a psychiatrist, paediatrician, or other authorised prescriber.

Receiving a psychological diagnosis does not guarantee that medication will be prescribed. The medical practitioner will complete their own evaluation and determine whether medication is appropriate.

Yes, some psychiatrists accept comprehensive psychological assessment reports as part of their evaluation. Others may require additional appointments, questionnaires, medical investigations, or their own diagnostic assessment before considering medication.

We recommend checking the requirements of your intended psychiatrist or prescriber before commencing the assessment where possible.

A diagnosis does not automatically result in NDIS eligibility. Functional assessments may be required in addition.

NDIS access decisions consider the nature, permanence, and functional impact of a person’s disability, as well as the specific evidence provided. Some psychological assessment reports may contribute to an NDIS application, but additional functional assessments or evidence from other professionals may be required.

Please advise us before the assessment if your primary purpose is an NDIS application, as this may affect the information and assessment measures required.

The report will include recommendations for reasonable adjustments based on the findings and your functional needs. Further documentation to support access to appropriate learning plans may be required in addition.

However, each school, university, workplace, registration body, or examination authority has its own documentation requirements and decision-making processes. A diagnosis does not guarantee that a particular adjustment will be approved.

Please tell us before the assessment if you require documentation for a specific organisation so we can determine whether our report will meet its requirements.

Private health insurance policies vary. We recommend contacting your insurer directly and providing the relevant service or item information supplied by our clinic.

Clients are responsible for confirming their eligibility for rebates before commencing the assessment.

Payment for ADHD and ASD assessments is made in three instalments. We have two clinicians who provide these assessments, and their fees differ based on their qualifications and level of experience.

Napoleon Forde – Provisional Psychologist

• Total assessment cost: $875

• First instalment: $290

• Second instalment: $295

• Third instalment: $290

Alannah Konners – Clinical Psychologist Registrar

• Total assessment cost: $2,500

• First instalment: $830

• Second instalment: $840

• Third instalment: $830

Where available, it may be helpful to provide:

• Previous psychological or medical reports

• School reports

• Academic records

• Workplace performance information

• Relevant correspondence from health professionals

• A list of current medications

• Information about previous diagnoses or treatment

• Childhood records

• Completed questionnaires

• Notes describing your concerns and examples from everyday life

You do not need to have all of these documents in order to enquire about an assessment.

Yes. Telehealth appointments are available where necessary and appropriate.

The psychologist will advise whether telehealth is clinically appropriate and whether it meets the requirements of the assessment, referral source, or organisation receiving the report.

Your personal information is managed in accordance with relevant privacy, health-record, and professional requirements.

Assessment information will not generally be shared with another person or organisation without your consent. Exceptions may apply where disclosure is required by law or where there is a serious and immediate concern regarding safety.

The psychologist will discuss confidentiality and its limits with you before commencing the assessment.

You may be able to bring a support person to selected appointments. Their role should be discussed with the psychologist beforehand, particularly where their presence may influence assessment responses or observations.

A support person will not automatically receive information about your assessment unless you provide consent.

You will usually attend a feedback appointment to discuss:

• The assessment findings

• Whether diagnostic criteria were met

• Your individual strengths and areas of difficulty

• Alternative or co-occurring explanations

• Recommendations and next steps

• Any questions you have about the report

Recommendations may include psychological therapy, ADHD coaching, occupational therapy, speech pathology, medical review, workplace or educational adjustments, sensory supports, relationship strategies, or further assessment.

You are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the assessing psychologist.

The psychologist can explain how the conclusion was reached, clarify the evidence considered, and correct factual errors where appropriate. However, a report cannot be changed solely to provide a preferred diagnosis or outcome when the available clinical evidence does not support it.

You may also choose to seek a second opinion from another appropriately qualified professional.

To book an appointment call us on 33936065 or book online by following the link below.