Adult Autism and ADHD assessments
(Neurodiversity affirming)
It is a big decision to consider getting a formal assessment for Autism or ADHD. I genuinely welcome the opportunity to assist you in this process and in helping you better understand yourself. In addition to my professional training, I bring my own personal experience of neurodivergence and view Autism and ADHD as differences rather than disorders. I will listen and take what you tell me very seriously. I hope you will feel safe, supported, understood, and ultimately empowered through this process. Please see below so you know what to expect.
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Unsure if you need an assessment?
I am more than happy to book an initial appointment with you to explore whether an assessment might be worthwhile. This may reduce the risk of committing to a potentially time consuming and expensive process unnecessarily. If you are not feeling sure, please feel free to contact me, I am more than happy to assist.
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The Assessment Process
Adult Autism Assessment (with optional ADHD screening)​​​
Autism and ADHD frequently co-occur together. Therefore, I tend to screen for ADHD at the same time as doing an Autism assessment. If there is evidence of possible ADHD, I will advise you of this in the assessment feedback and recommend next steps.
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Step One
Contact us to book in appointment times via email info@northeastclinicalpsychology.com.au or phone / text 0478 947 818. In my experience, many neurodivergent people find phone calls challenging. Please feel very welcome to text or email. Either myself or my assistant Kathryn will assist you in booking in a time.​​​​​​
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Step Two
We will send you service information, forms and questionnaires to ask for some background and current information about yourself, to be completed prior to the assessment. This may take an hour or two to complete.
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Step Three
I will see you for a 3 hour assessment appointment. Generally an Autism assessment is completed in a 3 hour block of time, online via a video call (but we have flexibility around this if you prefer in person appointments or shorter blocks of time e.g. 2 x 1.5 hour appointments). During the assessment I will ask you a series of questions to help clarify your diagnosis.​
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Step Four
I will do a deep dive into all of the information you provided me with through the questionnaires and the assessment session/s. I will consolidate it all into a report format for you. This can take up to four weeks to complete.
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Step Five
I encourage you to attend a 30 minute video call or telephone feedback appointment about 4 weeks after the assessment interview. With your your permission, I will email you your assessment report just prior to the feedback appointment, so you have a chance to read through it first. ​​
At this time you will also have the opportunity to book any further optional appointments e.g. should you wish to return with a partner or significant other to go through the results with them or perhaps wish to receive some psychological support.
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​Adult ADHD assessments
​​Please carefully consider this below information first
If it turns out that you do have ADHD and you have any interest at all in trying some medication for it, then I strongly encourage you to consider doing your assessment with a psychiatrist. Clinical psychologists, like myself, can diagnose ADHD; however, medication is only authorised to be prescribed by a psychiatrist or a paediatrician in Australia. If you do the ADHD assessment with myself and then decide you want to see a psychiatrist to try medication, in many instances, psychiatrists will require you to go though another ADHD assessment process. This is to ensure they have done their own due diligence prior to prescribing medications. I do not want you to double up on both time and finances. If you are not sure, please contact me, I am more than happy to talk to you about this further before proceeding.​
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Step One
Contact us to book in appointment times via email info@northeastclinicalpsychology.com.au or phone / text 0478 947 818. In my experience, many neurodivergent people find phone calls challenging. Please feel very welcome to text or email instead. Either myself or my assistant Kathryn will assist you in booking in a time.
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Step two
We will send you service information, forms and questionnaires to ask for some background and current information about yourself, to be completed prior to the assessment. This may take an hour or two to complete.
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Step Three
I will see you for a 2.5 hour assessment appointment. Generally an ADHD assessment is completed in a 2.5 hour block of time, online via a video call (but we have flexibility around this if you prefer in person appointments or shorter blocks of time e.g. 1 x 1.5 hour and 1 x 1 hour appointments). During the assessment I will ask you a series of questions to help clarify your diagnosis.​
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Step Four
I will do a deep dive into all of the information you provided me through the questionnaires and the assessment session/s. I will consolidate it all into a report format for you. This can take up to four weeks to complete.​​
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Step Five
I encourage you to attend a 30 minute feedback appointment about 4 weeks after the assessment interview. With your your permission, I will email you your assessment report just prior to the feedback appointment, so you have a chance to read through it first.
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At this time you will also have the opportunity to book any further optional appointments e.g. should you wish to return with a partner or significant other to go through the results with them or perhaps wish to receive some psychological support.
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​Combined Adult Autism and ADHD assessments
​​If you are interested in being assessed for both Autism and ADHD at the same time, generally, I recommend that we start with the Autism assessment. With your consent, I can screen you for ADHD at the same time. If there is evidence of ADHD present, then I will recommend that you consider seeing a psychiatrist for the ADHD assessment (if you have any interest in medication for ADHD). Or, alternatively, we can book in a follow up ADHD assessment together.
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Fees
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Adult Autism Assessment with written report, feedback session and optional ADHD screening $1500.​​
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Adult ADHD Assessment with written report and feedback session $1,250
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Additional ADHD assessment (following an initial assessment for Autism with Melita) $800.
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Optional initial 60 minute session via video call or in person (if you want to explore whether or not a formal assessment may be worthwhile for you) $240.
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The assessments are generally completed online via video call, but in person assessments can be arranged, for an additional $65.
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Unfortunately, there are no Medicare rebates available for these Adult Autism and ADHD assessments.
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Additional information for your consideration prior to booking an assessment.
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Limitations of the the written report (may not be suitable for NDIS applications)
My written reports are kept as concise as possible, with the aim of providing personal confirmation of neurotype/diagnosis, offering relevant recommendations and keeping the cost down. As a result, these reports may not contain the level of detail required for an NDIS application. If after the assessment, more detailed results and functional assessment information is required, you can request a more detailed assessment report (within 6 months of the original assessment) and for an additional fee. However, please note, there are no guarantees that these reports will be sufficient for NDIS.
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Observer reports
Where possible, we will ask for someone close to you to provide us with written information about their observations of you. Please note, whilst this is best practice, it is not essential. I completely understand, in some cases, this is may not be possible or appropriate.
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