ADHD assessment
ADHD assessment for children, adolescents and adults
A careful, evidence-informed assessment of attention, activity, impulsivity and executive functioning — considered in the context of the whole person, their history and their everyday life.
When it can help
What an ADHD assessment explores
People seek an ADHD assessment for many reasons — a child finding it hard to keep up at school, a teenager whose organisation is unravelling, or an adult who has spent years wondering why some things feel harder than they should. An assessment can help clarify whether ADHD or something else best explains what is going on, and what support would actually be useful.
- Ongoing difficulty sustaining attention, organising tasks or following through
- Restlessness, impulsivity or feeling internally “driven” or on the go
- Forgetfulness, losing things, or difficulty managing time and deadlines
- Challenges with planning, starting tasks or shifting between activities
- School, work, home or relationship difficulties linked to these patterns
- A long-standing pattern — not something that has only appeared recently
These experiences can have many explanations. Assessment looks at the pattern over time and across settings — not a single checklist — and considers other possibilities such as anxiety, sleep, learning difficulties or life circumstances.
Who can be assessed
Children, adolescents and adults
Children & adolescents
Psychological assessment for children and adolescents at Heartland Health is conducted in person. Appointments are held at the Heartland Health clinic at 4B, 24–28 Corporation Circuit, Tweed Heads South NSW 2485. Parent or carer input is generally relevant, and the young person’s involvement is tailored to their age, development and circumstances.
Adults
For adults, some parts of an assessment may be completed by secure telehealth where appropriate. Components requiring controlled or standardised administration, including relevant cognitive and academic assessment tasks, are completed in person.
The process
What an ADHD assessment involves
1. Initial interview
The first step is a conversation about what has prompted the assessment and the questions it needs to answer. This explores current concerns, everyday functioning, developmental and educational history, mental health history, previous assessments, strengths and support needs.
For children and adolescents, this first appointment is often with parents or caregivers only. For adults, it is usually a direct clinical interview.
2. Information gathering
ADHD assessment draws on more than one source of information. Depending on the person, this may include questionnaires or rating scales, previous reports, and information from parents, carers, partners, teachers or schools where appropriate and with consent.
The planned process and what each appointment will involve are explained before direct assessment begins.
3. Structured assessment
Depending on the referral question, this may involve structured or semi-structured clinical interviewing, observation, and standardised measures of attention, executive functioning and related areas. Where other questions need to be considered alongside ADHD — such as learning, cognitive or autism-related questions — a combined pathway may be discussed.
4. Interpretation and report
Results are considered alongside the person’s history, circumstances, strengths and everyday functioning. No single questionnaire or test score determines a diagnosis, and an assessment cannot guarantee a particular diagnosis or outcome.
Where appropriate, the outcome includes a written report with conclusions relevant to the referral question, practical recommendations, and suggestions for supports, strategies or further referral.
5. Feedback session
The feedback session talks through what the assessment found and what it means in everyday terms, with time for questions. For children and adolescents, feedback arrangements are tailored to the young person’s age, development and family circumstances.
Fees
ADHD assessment fees and arrangements
Assessment fees are indicative ranges because the scope and professional time required vary between people. Before chargeable assessment work begins, the proposed assessment, expected fee range and payment arrangements are discussed and agreed with you. A 30% deposit is required to secure private assessment appointments and is credited towards the total fee. Any additional work or change in scope is discussed before extra fees are incurred.
Before assessment begins, you will receive a Psychological Assessment Information & Agreement confirming the agreed scope, fee or maximum, payment arrangements, report arrangements and assessment terms.
Psychological assessment at Heartland Health is ordinarily privately funded. Published assessment fees are private fees. Some private health insurance policies may provide a rebate for psychology services; please check directly with your insurer if you intend to claim.
Can an ADHD assessment guarantee a diagnosis?
No assessment can guarantee a particular diagnosis or outcome. Findings are considered in context using the information available, and sometimes further assessment or input from another professional may be recommended. A psychologist cannot prescribe medication; where medication is being considered, that discussion happens with a GP, paediatrician or psychiatrist.
ADHD alongside other questions
Attention and executive-function difficulties often overlap with learning, autism, anxiety or mood-related questions. Where more than one question needs to be considered together, a combined assessment pathway may be more useful — this is discussed before anything begins. See Psychological Assessment for the full range of pathways.
Getting started
Start with a conversation
Booking an assessment starts with an initial interview to understand your needs and determine the most appropriate assessment pathway. For child assessments, this first appointment is often with parents or caregivers only.
Heartland Health is not an emergency or crisis service. If you need urgent support, call 000 or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See urgent & crisis support.