Are you thinking of undergoing an adult ADHD assessment?

I understand that you might be experiencing feelings of confusion or stress regarding your situation, which are completely normal.

This comprehensive ADHD assessment guide is designed to help navigate you through every step of the journey

Prior to the assessment
Online form / GP visit / GP letter

  • You will be sent an online form to complete about your personal information.

  • You will need to make an appointment with your GP to rule out any medical reason for difficulties with inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.

  • A letter outlining your current symptoms will be provided to Riccarton Psychology from your GP prior to your assessment appointment.

The assessment (2 hour session)
Life experiences / mental health

  • A two hour in-person clinical ADHD assessment interview will commence.

  • During the assessment interview, we will discuss your life experiences as well as any previous or current mental health challenges you may have encountered.

  • A phone call will occur with someone you knew as a child or before the age of 12, such as a relative, guardian, or close family friend. This is to discuss what symptoms were observed to be present in childhood.

  • A review of your primary school documentation (if available) and mental health records.

  • You will be required to complete questionnaires relating to your current experiences in line with ADHD and any other mental health difficulties that may be present. A person who knows you well will also complete a questionnaire about their impressions of your current functioning.

Next stages of the assessment:
Childhood evidence / questionnaires

  • It is recommended that an assessment is completed by a psychiatrist as they might be comfortable diagnosing you without evidentiary information.

If you do not have evidentiary information:

  • You will attend a feedback session as the final stage of the assessment to discuss the outcome of your assessment and whether there is enough evidence for an ADHD diagnosis.

  • Recommendations for addressing your current difficulties will be provided.

Final feedback session
Recommendations / feedback

  • An optional report can be written outlining your diagnosis if you would like to access stimulant medication.

    Before receiving a written report, a payment of $216 (if you consent to AI being used to record your assessment) or $720 (if you do not consent to AI being used) is required.

  • The report will be finalised within two weeks and sent to your GP who will consider your application to access stimulant medication. Please note that Riccarton Psychology cannot guarantee this application will be approved as your GP needs to make the final decision to consider whether it is an appropriate treatment for you based on your physical and mental health experiences.

If you are diagnosed
ADHD report / medication

Where you might not meet the criteria for an assessment

  • For a clinical psychologist to diagnose ADHD, it is vital that evidence of symptoms being present prior to the age of 12 years can be accessed. During the process, there will be a step in which I will converse with a close family member or person acquainted with you during your childhood years to gather evidentiary information. Supplementary evidence such as school records or correspondence can also aid in the evaluation process.

  • If you are experiencing significant anxiety (e.g., to the extent where you are struggling to attend work) you are recommended to address this prior to seeking an ADHD assessment.

    If your level of anxiety is substantial it is possible that the assessment outcome may be inconclusive due to difficulty teasing apart these experiences from the diagnostic symptoms of ADHD.

  • I cannot currently assess people who are using substances daily (e.g., cannabis, opioids). If you are doing so the recommendation is to talk with your GP about support available to reduce substance use prior to an assessment.

    If you consume 3+ alcoholic drinks 6+ days per week I also cannot currently assess you. You are welcome to seek an assessment once your consumption has reduced.

  • I am unable to assess those who are currently the subject of criminal charges or awaiting sentencing following conviction.

  • If you meet the criteria for PTSD based on childhood trauma, I may be unable to differentiate signs of ADHD from trauma symptomatology. It is recommended you address these trauma symptoms prior to seeking an assessment for ADHD.

Assessment costs

Full ADHD assessment + report (if AI consented to)

$1,296.00

Full ADHD assessment + report (if AI not consented to)

$1,800.00

Clients who following the assessment do not get diagnosed with ADHD / clients diagnosed with ADHD who do not want a report to access medication

$1080.00

Book session