ADHD Assessment
Our ADHD assessments focus on accurate, evidence-based evaluation to determine whether ADHD is an appropriate explanation for your experiences, or whether something else may better account for the difficulties you’re facing.
Who might benefit from an ADHD Assessment?
Many of the people seeking an ADHD assessment are high-functioning in some areas, but are experiencing increasing strain in others, such as work, study, or relationships.
An assessment may be helpful if you:
have ongoing difficulty maintaining attention or completing tasks
find it hard to organise, prioritise, or manage time effectively
feel easily distracted or overwhelmed by competing demands
struggle with ongoing procrastination or difficulty following through
experience restlessness, mental “busyness,” or difficulty switching off
have a long-standing sense that things feel harder than they should
experience impulsivity in decision-making or behaviour
Our Assessment Process
Our assessment process is guided by the current Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice ADHD Guideline and grounded in evidence-based practice.
We use a step-wise approach to assessment. You will pay for each part of the assessment separately, allowing you to pause or stop your assessment at any point without financial disadvantage. The cost of each part of the assessment is indicated in the drop down menu below.
Note: To ensure a diagnosis is accurate, you must complete all parts of the assessment process outlined below before we can provide you with an ADHD diagnosis or outcome letter.
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This initial appointment focuses on developing an understanding of your current concerns and relevant background history in order to determine whether an ADHD assessment is the most appropriate next step.
Difficulties with attention, concentration, and organisation are not specific to ADHD and can arise for a range of reasons, including stress, anxiety, mood difficulties, sleep disruption, or substance use. Taking the time to assess these factors helps ensure that any assessment is both accurate and clinically meaningful.
If an ADHD assessment is indicated, we will guide you through the next steps. If not, we will work with you to develop an alternative understanding of what may be contributing to your difficulties and, where appropriate, focus on addressing these factors through evidence-based intervention.
Cost: One standard appointment (55-minutes) charged at the time of initial appointment.
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During this stage, you will be guided through a structured clinical interview based on established diagnostic criteria for ADHD*. This process provides an opportunity to explore your experiences in a systematic and comprehensive way.
The interview typically takes place over two sessions, with standardised questionnaires completed in between.
Cost: Each session is billed at the standard appointment rate. You pay separately for each appointment at the time of attendance.
* We use the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) ADHD module
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You will be asked to complete a set of standardised questionnaires* designed to assess attention, impulsivity, and the impact of these difficulties on day-to-day functioning. These are completed online between assessment sessions.
As part of the assessment process, input from someone who knows you well (e.g. a partner, family member, or close friend) is also required. This provides an additional perspective on how these patterns present across different contexts and is an important component of an accurate and comprehensive evaluation.
The information gathered from these measures helps us build a detailed understanding of your experiences, including areas of relative strength and difficulty. As individuals can present with similar concerns in different ways, developing a clear profile allows for more tailored and meaningful recommendations.
Cost: Part 3 and 4 are charged at the cost of one standard appointment. This is charged at the time of your first diagnostic interview. This cost covers scoring and interpretation of the measures, as well as the time for data compilation and outcome letter writing (part 4)
*We use well-established, evidence-based measures, including the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS-2) and the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS).
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At the conclusion of the assessment, your psychologist will systematically review all of the information gathered about you from your appointments, questionnaires, and rating scales. This information will be used to determine whether you do or do not have ADHD.
You will also receive a concise outcome letter summarising the key findings and recommendations. This document is designed to be practical and usable, including for occupational or study settings where accommodations may be helpful.
The letter includes:
a summary of the assessment findings
an appendix outlining suggested workplace or study accommodations
an appendix providing a brief, structured summary aligned with current diagnostic criteria, which can be shared with other health professionals if needed
Cost: There is no separate charge for this part. The time for data compilation and outcome letter writing is incorporated with the cost of scoring questionnaires and rating scales (part 3).
Note: We do not provide lengthy comprehensive reports, as our focus is on delivering information that is clear, relevant, and directly applicable.
After the Assessment
After the assessment, you can choose to meet with your psychologist to discuss the results of the testing. This feedback session is optional and includes:
a clear explanation of the results
feedback on whether your ADHD is an appropriate diagnosis
discussion of any alternative or contributing factors (where relevant).
We can also work with you to determine appropriate next steps based on your individual needs and goals. This may include:
recommendations to book an appointment with a psychiatrist if medication is being considered
ADHD-focused therapy, where appropriate, to support areas such as organisation and planning, emotional regulation, and managing overwhelm and avoidance
exploring alternative explanations and treatment pathways if ADHD is not indicated.
The aim of this session is to ensure that you leave the assessment with clarity on your difficulties and a clear direction for what to do next.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. Psychologists are not able to prescribe medication.
If medication is being considered, this is typically initiated by a psychiatrist. In some cases, GPs can provide ongoing prescriptions once a diagnosis has been established and treatment is stabilised, often as part of a shared care arrangement with a psychiatrist.
Following your assessment, we provide a summary of your results that can be shared with your GP or psychiatrist to support you in this process. We can also offer ADHD-focused therapy to help you develop practical strategies tailored to your individual profile.
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No referral is required to undertake an ADHD Assessment. You can contact us directly to arrange an assessment.
If you are referred to us by another health practitioner, we are more than happy to provide them with a copy of your outcome letter at the end of the assessment (free of charge).
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The process typically occurs over multiple sessions, depending on your circumstances and the information required. This allows for a thorough and accurate evaluation.
A summary of the appointments required:
1. Initial Appointment (one appointment)
2. Diagnostic Interview (two appointments)
3. Optional Feedback Session (one appointment) -
Not necessarily. The purpose of the assessment is to determine what best explains your experiences. This may or may not result in an ADHD diagnosis.
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Many assessment approaches include a broad range of additional testing. However, the Australian evidence-based ADHD guidelines indicate that diagnosis is best supported through a combination of structured clinical interview, standardised rating scales, and information from multiple informants, rather than extensive additional testing.
Research also suggests that some commonly included tests do not reliably distinguish ADHD from other presentations, such as anxiety or mood difficulties, and are not required for diagnosis.
At Engram Psychology, we focus on using evidence-based methods that directly contribute to diagnostic clarity and treatment planning. This allows for a more targeted, efficient assessment process that prioritises what is most clinically meaningful for your situation.
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Currently, the Medicare Benefits Schedule does not apply to ADHD Assessment
Some private health insurers may provide partial rebates for ADHD assessment. We recommend contacting your insurer directly to confirm your eligibility and level of cover.
You can receive medicare rebates for any ADHD-focused therapy. A valid GP referral will be required to access these rebates.