ADHD Assessment & Treatment Options

ADHD
Written By Kelly Penniment-Saich

ADHD reflects differences in attention, energy, and processing — not a deficit or failure.

Accessing ADHD diagnosis and support as an adult in NSW can feel confusing. Pathways can vary depending on the clinician, GP involvement, and prescribing requirements. This overview provides clear, practical information, while recognising that experiences may differ.

Assessment & diagnosis

ADHD assessment is typically completed by:

  • A psychologist

  • A psychiatrist

  • A GP with additional training (in some cases)

Download a visual summary of ADHD pathways here:

🔗Download ADHD Pathways Guide (PDF)

🔗 Book an appointment

Comprehensive ADHD assessment & report

A comprehensive assessment will usually include:

  • Understanding what has brought you to assessment and what you’re hoping for

  • Looking at patterns across your life, including earlier experiences and current functioning

  • Exploring how attention, energy, and executive functioning show up for you

  • Use of questionnaires or assessment tools to support understanding

  • A focus on your strengths and the environments you’re navigating

  • Making sense of your experiences in a clear, non-pathologising way

  • A summary of outcomes and what they might mean for you

  • Suggestions for supports, strategies, or next steps

  • A report you can keep and share if helpful

This process is not about “proving” ADHD, but about understanding your experiences in context.

Important note: Psychologists can assess and diagnose ADHD but do not prescribe medication.

Screening

Screening can be part of your work with a psychologist.
This can be a helpful way to explore whether pursuing a full ADHD assessment feels useful.

Next steps

Following an ADHD assessment, support options may include medication and/or non-medication approaches.

Next steps may involve working with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or GP to explore supports, strategies, and, where relevant, medication options.

Medical prescribers may have different requirements for assessments. If you are considering medication, it can be helpful to check with your prescribing doctor before proceeding.

Treatment – medication

Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists have specialist training to assess, diagnose, and prescribe ADHD medications.

First-line treatments are often stimulant medications such as:

  • Lisdexamfetamine

  • Methylphenidate

  • Dexamfetamine

GP pathways (NSW)

The NSW Government has introduced reforms to expand access to ADHD care through general practitioners (GPs).

External assessment + continued prescribing

Some GPs have completed additional training and are approved as continuation prescribers.
This means they can prescribe ADHD medications for people with an existing diagnosis, where clinically appropriate.

Assessment + initiation (emerging pathway)

Some GPs are completing additional training to diagnose ADHD and initiate medication, though availability remains limited.

Shared care

Care may be shared between a psychiatrist and a GP.

Typically:

  • A psychiatrist is involved in assessment and/or initiation of medication

  • A GP provides ongoing prescribing and monitoring

Important to know

  • Not all GPs prescribe ADHD medication

  • Not all GPs prescribe stimulant medication

  • Not all GPs initiate medication

Some GPs with appropriate approval can prescribe stimulant medication where clinically appropriate.

Prescribing depends on:

  • Training and approval status

  • Clinical judgement and experience

In NSW, stimulant medications require approval from the NSW Ministry of Health.

Does this differ across Australia?

This information is NSW-specific. While ADHD assessment is broadly similar across Australia, medication pathways can vary between states and territories.

In general:

  • Psychiatrists can diagnose and initiate medication across all states

  • GPs may be involved in ongoing prescribing

  • Some states are expanding GP roles to include diagnosis and initiation, though availability varies

If you are considering medication, it can be helpful to check requirements with your prescribing doctor in your state.

Treatment – non-pharmacological

Not everyone can or wants to use medication. For others, it may be one part of their care alongside other supports.

A comprehensive ADHD assessment can:

  • Provide assessment and diagnosis

  • Support understanding of your experiences

  • Help guide treatment discussions

  • Be shared with your GP or other providers

  • Support non-pharmacological approaches

ADHD supports may include:

  • ADHD-informed therapy

  • Practical strategies for executive functioning (e.g. planning, organisation, task initiation)

  • Environmental and systems adjustments (e.g. routines, external supports, reducing cognitive load)

  • Psychoeducation and identity exploration

  • Workplace or study supports and accommodations

  • Support with burnout, stress, and capacity fluctuations

These supports are not about changing who you are, but about creating environments and systems that work with you. Supports should be tailored to you and may change over time.

Further information

NSW-specific prescribing & pathways

Understanding ADHD

Looking for support?

There is no one “right” way for ADHD to look or be experienced.

If you’re exploring ADHD or already have a diagnosis, support can help you make sense of your experiences in a way that is collaborative, practical, and non-pathologising.

Many people — particularly those presumed female at birth (PFAB) — develop strong masking and compensatory strategies. These can shift over time, especially during periods of transition, stress, or hormonal change. ADHD can look different across people and contexts, and a good assessment process will take these differences into account.

If you’re unsure how this applies to your situation, this can be explored as part of an assessment or therapy.

🔗 Book an appointment

Kelly Penniment-Saich https://www.mindsofcolour.com.au