ADHD Assessments
ADHD assessment for children and adolescents
Our psychologists work with children and adolescents to assess for ADHD and any associated or co-occurring difficulties. An assessment typically takes place over the course of three sessions, and includes the completion of questionnaires by parents and others (usually teachers), as well as participation in sessions by at least one parent/carer and the child or adolescent themselves. A brief report summarising the assessment findings is provided at the completion of the assessment.
Treatment Sessions
Psychology treatment sessions for children and adolescents with ADHD
Children and adolescents with an ADHD diagnosis may be booked in for treatment sessions with one of our psychologists once at least one parent or carer has completed the above course. Adolescents can attend individual treatment sessions, whilst younger children have the option of individual sessions and/or group sessions (when available).
Sessions are are delivered at our practice in Hobart, and via outreach clinics we operate in other areas of Tasmania from time to time.
Common areas of treatment focus for children and adolescents with ADHD include:
• An age-appropriate understanding of ADHD, including common strengths and challenges
• ADHD symptom management at home, school, or in other settings
• Low self-esteem
• Family conflict
• Social struggles
• Study demands
• Anger management
• Anxiety and depression management
Treatment Sessions
Psychology treatment sessions for children and adolescents with ADHD
Children and adolescents with an ADHD diagnosis may be booked in for treatment sessions with one of our psychologists once at least one parent or carer has completed the above course. Adolescents can attend individual treatment sessions, whilst younger children have the option of individual sessions and/or group sessions (when available).
Sessions are are delivered at our practice in Hobart, and via outreach clinics we operate in other areas of Tasmania from time to time.
Common areas of treatment focus for children and adolescents with ADHD include:
• An age-appropriate understanding of ADHD, including common strengths and challenges
• ADHD symptom management at home, school, or in other settings
• Low self-esteem
• Family conflict
• Social struggles
• Study demands
• Anger management
• Anxiety and depression management
ADHD assessment, support and treatment for adults
Our psychologists work with adults to assess and treat ADHD and any associated or co-occurring difficulties. We can provide comprehensive diagnostic assessments, as well as cognitive assessments if requested. We provide evidence-based treatment which assists adults with ADHD to:
• Understand the ADHD brain
• Understand their own 'ADHD profile'
• Understand other mental health or neurological symptoms they experience and how those symptoms interact with ADHD
• Manage the impacts of ADHD and any co-occurring conditions in various life areas
• Utilise their strengths
• Repair their self-image and self-esteem
• Improve relationships and gain effective support from important people in their life
Our psychologists will work with partners and other family members to help them understand and support their loved one with ADHD if requested. We can also work with employers wishing to support an employee with ADHD to perform at their best in the workplace.
List of Recommendations for ADHD assessment, support and treatment
The List of Recommendations advised by Parliament of Australia can also be found via the link below:
9.12. The committee recommends the Australian Government considers funding and co-designing a National Framework for ADHD, together with people with ADHD as well as ADHD advocacy and community organisations.
9.13. The committee recommends the Australian Government consult with people with lived experience of ADHD, healthcare colleges and organisations to identify additional supports to improve access to ADHD healthcare and support. This should encompass reviewing bulk billing incentives to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for diagnosis and ongoing support, shared care models, telehealth, and improving access in rural, regional and remote areas.
9.32. The committee recommends the Australian Government review the Medicare Benefits Schedule with a view to improving the accessibility of assessment, diagnosis and support services for people with ADHD.
9.33. The committee recommends the Australian Government review the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to improve the safe and quality use of medications by people with ADHD. This review should give consideration to the requirements for a diagnosis to access some medications, age restrictions, dosage restrictions and the scope of practice for clinicians prescribing medications.
9.34. The committee recommends that the Commonwealth expedite the development of uniform prescribing rules to ensure consistency between state and territory jurisdictions, through the Ministerial Council on Health.
9.41. The committee recommends the Australian Government, in collaboration with people with ADHD and ADHD advocacy and community organisations, develop a dedicated government ADHD information portal.
9.50. The committee recommends the Australian Government implement, through the Department of Health and Aged Care, a neurodiversity-affirming public health campaign to shift social attitudes and stigma associated with ADHD and to improve public awareness and promote education.
9.59. The committee recommends the National Disability Insurance Agency improve the accessibility and quality of information around the eligibility of ADHD as a condition under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
9.60. The committee recommends that the Department of Social Services provide ongoing funding for disability advocacy organisations, including ADHD advocacy organisations, to support people with ADHD.
9.72. The committee recommends the Australian Government works to improve training on recognising and meeting the needs of ADHD people in a variety of settings, such as in education, institutional settings and the workplace, including considering setting minimum standards for neurodiversity training.
9.77. The committee recommends that the Australian Government work towards improving specialised health services in institutionalised settings, including for people with ADHD.
9.84. The committee recommends the Australian Government, through the current ‘Scope of practice review’ and in collaboration with healthcare colleges, develop pathways which could include an expansion of the range of healthcare professionals who are able to provide ADHD assessment and support services, particularly General Practitioners and Nurse Practitioners, and improve the skills of all healthcare professionals who interact with people with ADHD.
9.89. The committee recommends all levels of government consider investing in the implementation of the Australian ADHD Professionals Association’s Australian evidence-based clinical practice guideline for ADHD, along with funding to promote the guideline to healthcare professionals and healthcare policy‑makers.
9.97. The committee recommends that the Australian Government consider investing in ADHD lived experience non-profit support, disability and advocacy organisations. Such funding would enable these organisations to provide community-based and targeted services to people with ADHD, such as an advice and support helplines, legal aid, financial counselling and assistance in finding assessment, treatment and support pathways.
9.103. The committee recommends the Australian Government support further research, through the Australian Government’s Medical Research Endowment Account (administered by the National Health and Medical Research Council) and the Medical Research Future Fund (administered by the Department of Health and Aged Care), to better understand ADHD, and ways to address stigma. The committee suggests that further research is needed into:
support available to people with ADHD, including evidence-informed clinical care and peer support;
addressing the stigma that people with ADHD experience including in healthcare, education and the community;
non-hyperactive presentations of ADHD and gender bias;
ADHD in First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTQIA+ communities; and