What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that significantly impacts an individual’s daily life. The symptoms of ADHD includes significant difficulty with focusing, concentrating, sitting still, organising, prioritising, and getting essential tasks at home, at work or at school completed. Other ADHD symptoms include racing thoughts (mainly about things that need to be done), emotionaly dysregulation and difficulty relaxing.
Girls and Women with ADHD present differently from boys and men as they may demonstrate internal hyperactivity. This is usually expressed through inner restlessness, hyperactive thoughts, and being overly talkative. Girls and women with ADHD often have difficulty with friendships. Those with ADHD who also have co-morbid or co-occuring conditions such as anxiety, trauma or depression can make the symptoms worse.
What does the assessment involve?
The ADHD assessment process is a comprehensive approach integrating clinical interviews, symptom evaluations, rating scales, behavioural observations, cognitive assessments (usually for children and teenagers) and collateral information from significant individuals involved in a person’s life. The ADHD assessments are undertaken by our qualified psychologists to reach an accurate diagnosis informing treatment recommendations.
Initial Consultation and Clinical Interview
The ADHD assessment typically begins with an initial consultation and clinical interview. This initial discussion is led by a Psychologist and aims to gather relevant background information, such as developmental history, academic performance, family dynamics, and current symptoms. It serves as a foundation for further assessment.
Symptom Evaluation and Rating Scales
Psychologists use standardised rating scales and questionnaires to assess the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms. These tools, completed by the individual and/or their parents, teachers, or other significant individuals, provide valuable information about ADHD-related behaviours and challenges across different settings. Rating scales help to identify patterns, track symptom frequency, and determine their impact on various aspects of daily functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria Assessment
The psychologist will carefully evaluate the individual’s symptoms against the diagnostic criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). ADHD is characterised by core symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The psychologist will assess the presence, duration, and impact of these symptoms to determine if they meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis.
Psychological Testing and Cognitive Assessments
Psychological testing and cognitive assessments play a significant role in ADHD assessments, particularly for children and teenagers. These assessments help to evaluate various aspects of cognitive functioning, including attention, executive functions (such as working memory and impulse control), and academic skills. Through these tests, psychologists can gain insights into specific cognitive strengths and weaknesses that may contribute to ADHD-related difficulties.
Behavioural Observations
Behavioural observations are conducted to gather firsthand information about the individual’s behaviour and functioning. These observations provide important insights into the individual’s attention span, activity level, impulse control, and social interactions. They help confirm the presence and impact of ADHD symptoms in real-life contexts.
Collateral Information
Collateral information is collected from multiple sources, including parents, teachers, and other significant individuals involved in the individual’s life. Feedback from these sources helps to validate and provide additional context to the assessment findings. Collaborating with individuals who observe the individual’s behaviour in different environments allows the psychologist to gain a comprehensive understanding of the individual’s functioning.
Differential Diagnosis and other Co-occurring Conditions
Psychologists also consider the possibility of other conditions that may co-occur with ADHD or may present similar symptoms to ADHD. It is crucial to rule out other potential causes of the individual’s difficulties, such as learning disorders, anxiety, depression, or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Report and Recommendations
Based on the assessment findings, the psychologist will prepare a comprehensive report summarising the results and diagnostic conclusions. The report outlines the individual’s strengths, challenges, and areas of concern. Treatment recommendations tailored to the individual’s unique needs and circumstances are provided, which may include therapy, medication, educational accommodations, or lifestyle adjustments.
ADHD Assessment Schedule of Fees
| Service Description | Duration | Cost |
| Free 15-minute phone consultation regarding the ADHD assessment | 15 minutes | Free |
| ADHD assessment which includes a written report and feedback | 1-2 hours | $790.00 |
| ADHD assessment and a Cognitive (IQ) assessment | As required | $980.00 |
| ADHD assessment + cognitive assessment + an Educational or an Academic Acheievement Test. | As required | $1210.00 |
Click the link for information on our schedule of fees for a cognitive assessment, Educational Assessments, Children and Teenagers Autism Assessments and Adult Autism Assessments.