ADHD Assessment
An ADHD Assessment is a structured evaluation of attention, impulsivity, activity levels and executive functioning across different stages of life. At Orudra Mindspace, an ADHD assessment looks beyond a checklist of symptoms, considering developmental history, functioning, mental health, physical health, and possible co-occurring or alternative explanations before an ADHD diagnosis is made.
Contact UsWho is an ADHD Assessment for?
You may consider an ADHD Assessment if difficulties with attention, organisation, impulsivity or activity levels are affecting everyday life. This can include:
- Difficulty sustaining attention
- Forgetfulness or losing track of tasks
- Problems with organisation or time management
- Restlessness or difficulty sitting still
- Impulsive decisions or actions
- Difficulty managing competing demands
- Challenges affecting work, study or relationships
These experiences can occur for many reasons and do not necessarily indicate ADHD. Anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, learning difficulties and other conditions can also affect attention and executive functioning. A thorough assessment considers the broader pattern rather than treating individual symptoms as evidence of ADHD.
What happens during an ADHD Assessment?
An ADHD Assessment involves more than asking whether you are easily distracted or forgetful. Our psychiatrist considers how your difficulties have developed over time, where they occur and how they affect different areas of your life.
Your history and current symptoms
We explore your development, childhood experiences and current symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity.
Everyday functioning
We consider how these difficulties affect work, study, relationships and day-to-day responsibilities.
Your overall health and circumstances
Your mental and physical health, previous treatment and other factors that may affect attention and executive functioning are considered.
Supporting information and diagnosis
Relevant records or information from others may support the assessment. Your psychiatrist considers the full picture against the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
ADHD Assessment for Children and Adolescents
ADHD can present differently in children and adolescents, so assessment needs to consider the young person's development and functioning across different settings.
Depending on the individual circumstances, assessment may consider:
- Developmental history
- Behaviour and symptoms at home and school
- Academic and learning experiences
- Information from parents or caregivers
- Teacher or school information where relevant
- Social relationships and everyday functioning
- The young person's own experiences and concerns
- Other factors that may contribute to the presentation
Looking at information from more than one setting can help provide a clearer picture of how difficulties affect the child or adolescent.
Adult ADHD Assessment
Contrary to a popular misconception, ADHD can be diagnosed in adulthood, even when the person has spent many years without a formal diagnosis. An adult ADHD assessment at Orudra Mindspace therefore considers both current difficulties and evidence from earlier life.
Some adults develop strategies that help them manage attention, organisation or time management for years. These strategies may become harder to maintain as work, relationships, family responsibilities or other demands increase.
Your psychiatrist may consider:
- How difficulties presented during childhood
- Education and early work experiences
- Current attention and executive functioning
- Organisation and time management
- Work and study demands
- Relationships and daily responsibilities
- Coping strategies and compensatory behaviours that might mask the realisation
- Previous mental health assessment or treatment
Childhood records can be useful where available, but not everyone has detailed documentation from their early years. The information available is considered alongside the broader clinical picture.
Are ADHD Tests enough to diagnose ADHD?
ADHD Testing and rating scales can support an assessment, but they cannot establish a diagnosis on their own.
An assessment may also include
- Clinical interviews and developmental history
- Assessment of symptoms and functional impact
- Relevant information from other people or settings
- Consideration of co-occurring or alternative conditions
Neuropsychological or cognitive testing is not routinely needed to diagnose ADHD but may be considered when there are additional questions about learning, memory or other cognitive concerns.
The Role of Psychiatrist & Psychologist in ADHD Assessment
ADHD assessment can involve different appropriately qualified professionals, depending on the person's age, circumstances and the type of assessment required.
Psychiatrist
Medical Assessment
A psychiatrist is a medical practitioner who can assess ADHD alongside mental and physical health and consider psychiatric treatment options where appropriate.
Psychologist
Psychological Assessment
A psychologist may conduct psychological assessment and use clinical interviews and validated assessment tools to evaluate ADHD and related areas of functioning.
The type of assessment you need can depend on what you are seeking from the assessment, your circumstances and whether other clinical concerns need to be considered.
Begin With a Team You Can Turn To
Orudra Mindspace brings together experienced psychologists and psychiatrists across mental health care.
What Happens Next?
The outcome of an ADHD assessment depends on the information gathered and the clinical findings.
At Orudra Mindspace, our psychiatrist can discuss the assessment outcome with you and explain what it means in the context of your symptoms, functioning and history. Where appropriate, this may include discussion of treatment options, recommendations, further assessment or referrals.
The next steps depend on your individual circumstances rather than following the same pathway for everyone.
What happens after your assessment?
The outcome of an ADHD assessment depends on the information gathered and the clinical findings.
At Orudra Mindspace, our psychiatrist can discuss the assessment outcome with you and explain what it means in the context of your symptoms, functioning and history. Where appropriate, this may include discussion of treatment options, recommendations, further assessment or referrals.
The next steps depend on your individual circumstances rather than following the same pathway for everyone.
Your Appointment Options
Face-to-Face Appointments
Face-to-face ADHD assessments are available where appropriate, providing an opportunity for a detailed psychiatric assessment in a private consultation setting.
Telehealth Appointments
Telehealth ADHD assessments are available at Orudra Mindspace. Suitability depends on the individual's circumstances, assessment requirements, practitioner availability and applicable Australian requirements. Telehealth appointments are conducted with the same commitment to privacy and confidentiality as face-to-face consultations.
ADHD Assessment Fees
Assessment fees can vary depending on the type of assessment required and other factors.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in an ADHD Assessment?
An ADHD Assessment considers current symptoms, developmental history, functioning, mental and physical health, and possible co-occurring or alternative conditions. Rating scales may support the assessment but are not used in isolation.
Can adults have an ADHD Assessment?
Yes. ADHD can be diagnosed in adulthood when the appropriate diagnostic criteria are met. Assessment considers current difficulties alongside evidence of symptoms during childhood.
Can children have an ADHD Assessment?
Yes. Children and adolescents can be assessed for ADHD. The assessment considers developmental history and information about functioning across relevant settings, including home and school where appropriate.
Is ADHD Testing the same as an ADHD Assessment?
No. ADHD rating scales and other tests can contribute useful information, but an ADHD diagnosis requires a broader assessment of symptoms, developmental history, impairment and other possible explanations.
Do I need a psychiatrist for an ADHD diagnosis?
ADHD can be assessed and diagnosed by appropriately qualified professionals with relevant expertise, including psychiatrists, psychologists and paediatricians. The appropriate practitioner depends on the person’s age, circumstances and the type of assessment required.
Can ADHD be diagnosed without childhood records?
A lack of childhood records does not by itself answer whether ADHD can be diagnosed. Your clinician considers the available developmental history alongside your current presentation and other relevant information.
Can an ADHD Assessment be done via telehealth?
Telehealth assessment may be appropriate in some circumstances. Suitability depends on the person’s circumstances, assessment requirements, practitioner availability and applicable Australian requirements.
Where can I get an ADHD Assessment in Australia?
ADHD assessments are available through appropriately qualified psychiatrists, psychologists and paediatricians across Australia. Orudra Mindspace provides psychiatric assessment in Sydney, with telehealth options available where clinically appropriate.