Adult ADHD Diagnostic Assessment

Want the details?

You don’t need to read everything below before booking. The sections that follow explain the adult ADHD assessment in more detail if you have questions about the process — or you can enquire now and ask them directly.

What is included in the assessment?

The assessment follows current Australian clinical guidance for adult ADHD. An ADHD diagnosis is never based on questionnaire scores alone. Across three appointments it brings together:

1. Initial clinical and developmental assessment (about 60–75 minutes). A structured conversation about your current concerns and ADHD symptoms, your childhood and development, education, work and relationships, how day-to-day life is going, your mental-health and relevant medical history, sleep, and anything else that might be part of the picture.

2. Standardised questionnaires. Validated ADHD and functioning measures, completed by you between appointments — and, where possible, by someone who knew you as a child or knows you well now. Which measures are used depends on your situation; they support the clinical assessment rather than decide it.

3. Structured diagnostic interview (about 90–120 minutes, depending on complexity). A structured adult ADHD diagnostic interview, such as the DIVA-5, working carefully through each area of ADHD across childhood and adulthood. This is the core of the assessment.

4. Developmental and collateral information. Where available and useful: information from a parent, partner or another person who knows you well; old school reports; previous psychological or medical reports. These help establish when things started, whether they have persisted, and how they affect you.

5. Looking beyond ADHD. Part of a careful assessment is considering whether something else better explains the picture, or sits alongside it — anxiety, depression, trauma, autism, sleep difficulties, substance use, medical factors or other conditions. The aim is an honest formulation, not a foregone conclusion.

6. Written report. A comprehensive clinical diagnostic report: relevant history, the assessment findings, whether diagnostic criteria are met and on what basis, functional impact, other conditions considered, strengths where relevant, and recommendations — for treatment and support, for work or study where appropriate, and for next steps.

7. Feedback session (about 50 minutes). We go through the findings, the diagnostic outcome, what it means, the recommendations and possible next steps, and any questions the report raises for you.

Not included

• Cognitive or IQ testing — not part of the ADHD assessment and not required for an ADHD diagnosis (see the questions below).
• Medico-legal or specialised third-party reports — the standard report explains the assessment findings, diagnosis and recommendations; it is not intended for legal proceedings, compensation claims or other forensic purposes.
• Unusually extensive record review or additional interviews — if these are needed, I will discuss it with you and agree on any additional fee before that work is undertaken.

Your report — and what you can use it for

You receive a comprehensive clinical diagnostic report explaining the findings, whether diagnostic criteria are met and on what basis, the other conditions considered, and recommendations for treatment, support and next steps. Many people use it to understand themselves better, to inform conversations with their GP or psychiatrist, and where appropriate to support reasonable adjustments at work or study.

Can I take my report to my GP or psychiatrist?

Yes. Your report is yours, and it is written so that it can be shared with your GP, a psychiatrist or another treating practitioner to inform further medical assessment and treatment discussions. With your consent, I can also provide it to them directly.

What about ADHD medication?

Psychologists can assess and diagnose ADHD, but we do not prescribe ADHD medication. If you want to explore medication, your assessment report can be provided to an appropriately qualified medical practitioner. In Queensland this may be a psychiatrist or, under current arrangements, a suitably qualified GP; the pathway differs between states and territories. Whoever prescribes will make their own medical assessment and their own decision — a psychologist’s report informs that process but does not replace it, and it is not a guarantee of any particular treatment.

How does a telehealth ADHD assessment work?

The whole assessment is conducted by secure video. The same diagnostic standards apply as they would in a consulting room; the process is not shortened or simplified because it is online. You will need a private space and a reliable connection. If at any point it becomes clear that telehealth assessment is not the right approach for you, or that a different kind of assessment is needed, I will say so and we will talk about options.

BioPsyche is based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, and the adult ADHD assessment is available by telehealth to adults anywhere in Australia.