Autism & ADHD Assessments (12+ & Adults)

Overview

Autism, ADHD, and combined autism–ADHD assessments are available for adolescents (12+) and adults.

These assessments are collaborative, strengths-based, and adapted to communication preferences and access needs wherever possible.

The process is conversational and telehealth-based, focusing on lived experience, developmental history, and current functioning—rather than relying on checklists or observable behaviours alone.

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Who seeks assessment

You (or your family member) may seek assessment to:

  • better understand long-standing patterns in thinking, communication, and daily functioning

  • explore experiences of masking, burnout, or feeling “out of step”

  • gain clarity, validation, or formal diagnosis

  • support access to work, study, or services

  • make sense of patterns noticed over time or through others

Many people seeking assessment have spent years adapting to expectations, particularly those presumed female at birth (PFAB) and gender-diverse people.

Assessment is not about proving whether someone is “neurodivergent enough.”
It focuses on understanding your experiences and providing meaningful clarity, regardless of diagnostic outcome.

What to expect

Most assessments involve:

Before your first appointment

Completion of intake forms and questionnaires relevant to your assessment. Review of any previous reports provided and collateral information where appropriate.

Initial appointment (90 mins)

A detailed, collaborative exploration of your experiences, goals, developmental history, and current functioning.

Assessment appointment/s (90 mins)

Follow up appointments after the initial. Conversational assessment adapted to your communication style and individual needs.

Clinical review and report preparation

Professional time is allocated to reviewing assessment information, integrating findings, diagnostic formulation, and preparing your report.

Feedback appointment (Optional)

A feedback appointment can be booked to discuss the assessment findings, diagnosis (where applicable), recommendations, and next steps.

Report

Reports are tailored to the purpose of the assessment and your individual needs.

This can be either a brief letter or full diagnostic report, depending on your goals.

Timeframe

Most assessments are completed over 1–3 appointments (depending on goals and context), this will be discussed throughout.

No more appointments or professional time will be recommended than is clinically necessary to meet the goals of the assessment.

Reports typically provided within 3 weeks of the final assessment appointment.

Approach

This assessment approach is:

  • Neuroaffirming and strengths-based

  • Conversational and informed by the Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing Autism (MIGDAS-2) for autism assessments

  • Informed by the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA-5) for ADHD assessments

  • Guided by DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria alongside clinical judgement, lived experience, developmental history, and current functioning

  • Adapted to communication preferences

  • Attentive to masking, burnout, sensory experiences and context

Sessions may include:

  • pacing and use of pauses

  • written or chat-based responses

  • flexibility in how experiences are explored

At times of high stress, some people may be temporarily non-speaking or find verbal communication difficult. Alternative communication methods can be incorporated where possible.

The ADOS-2 is not routinely used within this practice. This reflects a preference for approaches that prioritise lived experience, context, and relational understanding alongside established clinical assessment frameworks.

For young people

For adolescents, the assessment process may include:

  • time with a parent or caregiver

  • time with the young person individually

This supports understanding of both developmental history and lived experience.

Fees

  • Initial Appointment (90 mins): $420

  • Follow-up session/s (90 mins): $420

  • Clinical review and report preparation: $280/hour (typically 1–2 hours)

  • Feedback Appointment (optional 50 mins): $280

Where clinically appropriate or requested, additional services may also be available, including:

  • Additional reports or letters

  • School, university or workplace documentation

  • Case conferences or professional liaison

  • Review of extensive external documentation

  • Additional professional services are charged at the standard hourly rate and will always be discussed with you in advance.

  • No more appointments or professional time will be recommended than is clinically necessary to meet the goals of the assessment.

Assessment fees reflect both direct appointment time and professional time spent reviewing intake information, questionnaires, collateral information, assessment findings, clinical formulation, and report preparation.

Important information

  • Assessments are provided via secure telehealth across Australia

  • Medicare rebates are generally not available for adult assessments (25+)

  • Limited rebates may be available for some people under 25 years of age when referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist under specific Medicare criteria

  • Psychologists do not prescribe medication

  • If your assessment is intended to support medication prescribing, requirements vary between prescribers. Please check with your treating psychiatrist or prescribing medical practitioner regarding the documentation they require.

  • These assessments are conducted for clinical assessment, diagnosis (where applicable), treatment planning, and healthcare purposes. If your primary goal is obtaining NDIS access, funding, or evidence specifically for an NDIS application or plan review, a service specialising in functional capacity assessments or NDIS-specific reporting may be better suited to your needs, as the NDIS commonly requires evidence of functional impact and support needs.

Reports

Reports are tailored to the purpose of the assessment and your individual needs:

  • self-understanding

  • treatment planning

  • communication with other healthcare providers

  • workplace or education adjustments

They may include:

  • developmental history

  • assessment findings

  • interpretation and recommendations

Not sure if this is right for you?

You’re welcome to book an initial appointment and we can clarify together.