Adult Autism and ADHD Combined Assessment

If you have been given a referral for an Autism/ADHD Assessment, this might be the appropriate assessment for you. Alternatively, this is the assessment to choose when you are concerned by any of the following behaviours:

• Social and Communication Issues
• Small Network of Friends
• Repetitive Patterns of Behaviour
• Ordering Behaviours
• Lack of Empathy
• Unusual or Restricted Interests
• Sensory Sensitivity
• Easily Overwhelmed by Change in Routine
• Developmental Delays
• Poor Emotional Regulation
• Difficulty Holding Attention
• Tendency to Fidget
• Forgetful
• Difficulty Concentrating and Maintaining Focus
• Difficulty Completing Tasks
• Disorganised
• Reading Difficulties Throughout Life

Please note: These behaviours are only indicators that this assessment may be helpful. These behaviours are normal and can be observed to different extents in all individuals.

An Autism and ADHD Combined Assessment may result in a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This assessment aims to help you better understand your behaviour, and offer strategies to manage your symptoms. Assessments can also assist with funding or support applications. 

Currently, we provide Adult Autism/ADHD Combined Assessments for individuals aged 18 and over. We are able to see NDIS and insurance clients. 

1. Assessment Agreement/Pre-Service Questionnaire

You are required to complete a pre-service questionnaire before the assessment can commence. This collects background information. 

2. Initial Consultation 

The initial consultation is a fact-finding, information gathering session where you will meet the clinician for the first time. It is to ensure you are receiving the most suitable assessment for and to discuss background information and your current concerns.  

3. Questionnaires

We ask you and an Observer to complete a range of questionnaires prior to the testing sessions. Your observer is an elected close friend or family member that is required to partake in components of your assessment. These questionnaires are completed online and take approximately 20 minutes each. 

4. School Report / Medical or Psychological Reports

We may request you to provide school reports and other documents from health professionals who have worked with you prior to the first testing session.

5. Third Party Interview

Your Clinician will contact your observer for a 20-30 minute phone or video call interview. This allows your clinician to collect information from the observer about your behaviour and presentation of symptoms, and gather evidence and historical information from different domains. 

6. Psychometric Testing Sessions

Typically, an adult autism/ADHD combined assessment requires 2 testing sessions. The first testing session can be completed online through Telehealth, and the second will be face-to-face in our Belconnen practice. You may be sent physical response booklets in the mail for Telehealth sessions. 

7. Report

After the testing sessions are complete, your clinician will prepare a comprehensive assessment report. The report would include a diagnosis if diagnostic criteria are met and, a summary of the results and recommendations for next steps. 

8. Feedback Session

Your clinician will meet with you to discuss all results and recommendations. You will be provided with an electronic copy of the full assessment report following this session. Please advise if you require a hard copy. 

We use a combination of online questionnaires, clinical and third-party interviews, and psychometric testing sessions in our adult autism/ADHD combined assessments. 

The majority of the process is facilitated online via Telehealth, however our Autism assessments involves a diagnostic interview which we complete in-person. 

The estimated cost of an Adult Autism/ADHD Assessment is $4,575. 

Limited Medicare rebates may be accessed for Autism assessments under the Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Scheme. Clients must be under 25 years old and referred by a medical practitioner or specialist. If you are interested in accessing this scheme, please speak to the Assessments Coordinator to determine if you may be eligible for Medicare rebates. 

We do not process private health funds claims here at Northside Psychology. However, if you have private health, you can check with your fund if they cover psychological assessments.

Medications need to be prescribed by a medical doctor or psychiatrist. We currently only have psychologists at Northside Psychology. If you are interested in accessing medications following one of our assessments, please check with your doctor or psychiatrist to see if they are able to use our report. Often, these specialists will need to conduct some testing themselves before prescribing any medications. Psychiatrists are required by law to do some of their own testing before prescribing. 

We encourage clients to research medical and/or psychiatry clinics to confirm costs, assessment protocols and determine what type of assessment you need.  It is important to do this research early in the process, to make an informed decision about what is the right pathway for you and to minimise delay between services, especially if you want to see both a psychologist and a medical physician. 

We encourage you to consider why you are seeking an ADHD diagnosis and how this information could assist you going forward. It is important to do your own due diligence, research options and speak to your physician about their processes in deciding the right steps forward for you.