ADHD Assessments for Children, Teens and Adults

No — psychologists aren’t medical practitioners. If you’re considering medication for ADHD, that conversation needs to happen with a psychiatrist or paediatrician, though our assessment report is exactly what they’ll need to have that conversation from an informed starting point.

A psychological assessment tends to go deeper into how the brain actually works day to day — including executive function — which is useful for building practical strategies, not just reaching a diagnosis. Worth knowing: even with a psychologist’s diagnosis in hand, most psychiatrists and paediatricians will still want to complete their own assessment before prescribing. You can find a registered psychiatrist through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

Common signs include ongoing difficulty with focus, organisation, time management, impulsivity or emotional regulation — especially if these have been a lifelong pattern rather than a recent change. Many adults seek an assessment after a child’s diagnosis prompts them to recognise similar traits in themselves. If this sounds familiar, chat with our team and we’ll help you work out if an assessment is the right next step.

Yes — at Minds of All Kinds Psychology we assess ADHD across the lifespan, including adults being assessed for the first time. Many adults, particularly women, weren’t picked up as children because their symptoms looked different from the “typical” hyperactive presentation, and are only now recognising the pattern. The assessment process is tailored to age, so what it involves for an adult looks different to what it involves for a child.

The process generally includes an initial consultation, one or more assessment sessions using interviews, standardised tools and questionnaires (sometimes including input from parents, partners or teachers), and a feedback session where the results and recommendations are explained in plain language.

An ADHD assessment involves several steps rather than a single appointment, so it isn’t a one-off session. Timelines depend on age and individual circumstances — our team can give you a clearer estimate once we understand your situation.

You’ll receive a clear outcome either way, whether that’s a formal ADHD diagnosis, an explanation of another likely cause, or both. Reports are written in plain language, not just clinical shorthand, so you know exactly what the findings mean.

Some rebates may apply depending on your referral pathway and circumstances. If you hold NDIS funding, our reports are prepared to support access requests and plan reviews. Get in touch and we can talk through what applies to you.

No — you can self-refer and book directly. A referral from a GP, paediatrician or psychiatrist is welcome and can help if you’re hoping to access a Medicare rebate or want the assessment linked with other care you’re receiving.

A psychologist can provide a comprehensive diagnostic assessment and report, but prescribing ADHD medication requires a psychiatrist or GP working under a shared care model. Our reports are written to support that next conversation, whichever pathway you take.

ADHD assessments focus on attention, impulsivity and executive functioning, while autism assessments look at social communication, sensory processing and behavioural patterns. The two often co-occur, so if you suspect both may be relevant, we can talk through whether a combined approach makes sense. Chat with us first if you’re unsure.

Yes — at Minds of All Kinds Psychology we offer ADHD assessments in person at our Heidelberg and Fairfield clinics, as well as via telehealth for clients across Australia, depending on what the assessment requires.