Autism & ADHD Assessments

Diagnostic assessments for identifying neurodivergence

Assessment books: Open (booking into September, cancellation list available for booked clients)

I am passionate about assessment as I enjoy being able to look closely into a person's
life and work out how everything fits together to tell a story. It is a deeply empowering
process for both myself and my client as they discover who they are. I believe that when
we can really know ourselves, we can really learn how to take care of ourselves.

My assessments are affirming and informal. They feel like a conversation and place to
share information. I use validated assessment measures, have based my process on the
highest standard, and I continue to get supervision in order to increase my learning.
Everyone is nervous for their assessment, but the nerves dissipate early on.

Where are when are assessments conducted?

Assessments are conducted face to face in Pullenvale or via telehealth.
I take bookings on Monday's or Tuesday's at 12.00pm AEST (Brisbane, Queensland time).
At times, appointments may be offered on other weekdays at my discretion.

Who do I assess?

I specialise in assessing individuals who have escaped diagnosis due to not presenting
in "expected" ways. This includes individuals who have learnt to mask and copy extensively
and who have conformed to behave in ways that make it more likely they will fit in (despite
never feeling they fit in). It also includes others who have received diagnoses that are a poor fit, who have engaged in treatment for a diagnosis with little benefit, and those with conditions that can mask the presence of neurodivergence (e.g., C-PTSD, Borderline, Bipolar).

Diagnoses for additional conditions are not always possible within the scope of the assessment but will be teased enough to guide further exploration. If you have received diagnoses in the past, either suspected or given, it is important to tell me so I can ensure to investigate them during the assessment.

I also specialise in assessing individuals that are 2E or Twice Exceptional. This is when an individual has a gift (e.g., academic, intellectual, creative) combined with a disability (e.g., Autism, ADHD). These individuals are often missed due to their intelligence overshadowing their difficulties.

How do I book an appointment?

If you would like to book an appointment with me please provide all of these details so I can create your booking:

your name
address
date of birth
mobile number (not to call you! Only for booking reminders)
preferred pronouns
If you want in person or online
If you have a preferred day
What type of assessment you want (e.g., Autism, ADHD, both) and any other areas for investigation (e.g., PDA, BPD, Bipolar, trauma, OCD etc)
Any questions you have that are not covered in my FAQs.
Click here to book.

Important:

Ensure you are ready to book and attend an assessment with me. Click here for more information.
Please read my cancellation policy before booking your assessment.

All this information provided is for clarity and is direct in nature to avoid confusion, designed to reduce administrative burden, and to save precious spoons (or energy if you do not know this analogy).

Types of Assessments (16+ and Adults)

Autism

Comprehensive assessment including MIGDAS clinical interview, screeners, adaptive functioning screener (WHODAS), burnout, and any others that are relevant.
Requires 2.5 - 3 hour telehealth/face to face interview. Other assessments are completed online.
Full report with recommendations and diagnoses (if applicable).
Please read FAQs in relation to access to NDIS or DSP if this is the reason for your assessment.
Short feedback session (e.g., 15 minutes) at the end of the interview including criteria you meet and the ability to email me with any questions.
Cost: $2100
Optional: one-off session to discuss diagnosis, 50 minutes $275. You can use a MHCP for this session if you have one, which provides a rebate of $141.85.

ADHD

Comprehensive assessment including clinical interview and executive function assessments.
Requires 2 - 2.5 hour telehealth/face to face interview. Other assessments are completed online.
Assessments (guide only): ADHD screener (ASRS), executive function (BRIEF, CAARS2/Conners 4), DIVA clinical interview, Autism screener, other relevant assessments (e.g., trauma, BPD, OCD, Bipolar).
Full report with recommendations and diagnoses (if applicable).
Short feedback session at the end of the interview (15 minutes) and ability to email me with any questions.
Cost: $1500
Optional: one-off session to discuss diagnosis, 50 minutes $275. You can use a MHCP for this session if you have one, which provides a rebate of $141.85.
ADHD medication: you do not need this assessment to receive medication. Click here for more details.

Autism and ADHD

As above.
3 - 3.5 hour telehealth/face to face interview.
Please read FAQs in relation to access to NDIS or DSP if this is the reason for your assessment.
Cost: $2700
Optional: one-off session to discuss diagnosis, 50 minutes $275. You can use a MHCP for this session if you have one, which provides a rebate of $141.85.
ADHD medication: you do not need this assessment to receive medication. Click here for more details.

Enquiry

Assessment Process

For those who like the ALL the details.

I have a very structured process for my assessments as this is how I run my business (thanks Autism). It is important that you do all the things I ask you to do in the time period I note. This will allow everything to run smoothly.

Communication is also vital. If I email you - please respond to me within the time period I give you. I know this can be hard and some people feel anxious about responding or making decisions but it is very hard for me to make decisions without needed information.

Once we have agreed on a date and time the following occurs:

Confirmation email: you will get an email confirming your booking and outlining the fees and process. Get back in touch if it does not match what you expected.

Complete a digital form: please digitally complete the privacy and consent form in the above email within 7 days to confirm your booking. If you are like me and might forget - it's a quick 2 minute job that can be best done in the moment.

Confirmation of appointment: you will get an email 3 weeks before your appointment asking you to confirm. You need to respond to this.

Cancellation of appointment: you can cancel your appointment without a fee, but this must be done a minimum of 14 days before your booked time. If this notice is not provided a $300 fee will be charged to cover administrative work. Please see here for more.

Informant/Ancillary information: once you have confirmed your appointment you will be asked to complete a short form asking what information you have for your assessment (e.g., who you have to do informant reports, any documents you have). You need to complete this.

Preparation: around 2 - 2.5 weeks before your appointment you will get an email containing the online assessment preparation, which will take you around 1-2 hours to complete and will have a noted due date that you need to stick to. This due date is to give me enough time to prepare to see you.

Invoice payment: you will receive your invoice by email 4 days before your appointment. Please ensure you pay this prior to your appointment.

Text reminder: you will get a text message 7 days before your assessment to remind you of your appointment - you do not need to respond to this.

If your appointment is online: you will get a link the day before your appointment combined with instructions on how to join and how to test everything is working.

In person: if you are face to face you will get an email explaining how to find me as I am tucked away.

After your interview: you will be tired and will be processing and integrating information. It is good to plan for an early and easy dinner and to rest if you can. A few days after your appointment, I will send you other online assessments to complete that need to be done within 2 weeks.

Reports: take 4-8 weeks. Click here for more information.

This looks like a lot but I will guide you through it all.

A note about language and why it matters

Please avoid using the term ASD with me (and others) as this is not affirming and not preferred by the neurodivergent community. The terms Autism and Autistic are preferred as this is person first language. Person first language emphasises the individual before their disability, rather than the person's differences being their defining characteristic. Using affirming and inclusive language matters, especially for children but for adults too, even though the acronym 'rolls off the tongue' and is shorter - sometimes we have to make these changes as it is just the right thing to do.

Reports do not contain this terminology nor use stigmatising language, or a deficit lens as this is not in line with the neurodiversity affirming paradigm. We are not disordered, broken, or defective - we are simply wired differently and therefore we experience the world unlike the majority. Vastly our struggles in life have been due to being wired differently, finding it hard to belong, and struggling to keep up with neuronormative standards that do not align with our neurotype, are not sustainable, and lead to elevated self-criticism. Understanding the 'why' helps us drop expectations that do not fit and develop self-compassion, acceptance, and wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I be referred?

Referral can be made by your GP, psychiatrist, or other allied health professionals. You can also self refer.

As an adult, whilst a referral for assessment is not necessary, if you have a good relationship with your GP (or other health practitioner above) and you have been discussing Autism and related health conditions, a detailed referral can be integrated into your assessment and serve as another form of evidence.

When do I find out if I meet criteria?

I will tell you at the end of your interview if you meet criteria for your chosen assessment (e.g., Autism and/or ADHD).

I will also mention any other diagnoses that could be likely or any other areas that I need to investigate further (e.g., Complex PTSD, OCD, Bipolar, ADHD if assessment was Autism only etc). These are all just examples and I will only do this if needed in order to gain an accurate picture of you for your future treatment.

Can you get Medicare rebates for assessments?

Medicare rebates are available for individuals under 25 years when referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist. The referral must be for a "complex neurodevelopmental assessment". The rebate is approximately $400. Please let me know on enquiring if you have a referral.

GP referrals or mental health care plans are not acceptable under Medicare rules for any portion of the assessment process. These are not my rules, they are government rules. You can use a MHCP to discuss your diagnosis in a one-off session with me where you can receive a rebate (e.g., $275 session, $141.85 rebate).

Otherwise, a referral is not needed for an assessment. You can self-refer.

Some private heath funds may offer a rebate for assessment, however this is unlikely. Please enquire with your health fund to see if this is possible. I do not have any item codes (sometimes they ask for this) and you may need to explain the difference between assessment and therapy to see if they cover assessment.

When do I need to pay for my assessment and how can I pay?

Take a deep breath, assessments are expensive and this is because they take a huge amount of time to complete. Costs are based on the number of hours I spend across your whole assessment from start to finish. You will get an email from me on booking that states the type of assessment you have booked and the fee for your assessment. Your fee will never exceed this quote unless you request something outside of what was originally requested.

You will be emailed an invoice for 50% of the fee 4 days before your appointment, which needs to be transferred prior to your appointment (unless you have arranged to pay via credit card in the clinic).

Bank transfer is the preferred method of payment as this keeps fees down. Please forward your receipt on payment.

You can use a credit card if you prefer (e.g., visa or mastercard) in person or online but it attracts fees (e.g., 1.1% in the clinic and 1.7% online or with a link). These are the direct fees charged by my provider. For example, 50% of an Autism assessment is $1100, which would incur a $12.10 (1.1%) or $18.70 (1.7%) fee for each payment.

How do I access medication for ADHD?

If you are diagnosed with ADHD (by any allied health practitioner, GP etc) and would like to try medication, you will need to be referred to a psychiatrist. Your GP needs to provide you with a referral to a psychiatrist and they can suggest options for you or you are welcome to ask for referral to a specific specialist.

If you have been assessed or diagnosed with ADHD already, you can take your report to the psychiatrist. If your treating psychologist suggests you have ADHD and is willing to write a letter to a psychiatrist about how you meet criteria, this is also useful. If a previous psychiatrist has diagnosed you with ADHD and gave you a letter, you can also provide this.

You do not need this assessment to obtain medication or to see a psychiatrist.

The process of obtaining medication varies considerably between practitioners. Psychiatrists have to do their own due diligence, which means they have to be certain that you do meet the criteria for ADHD and cannot just rely on someone else's report, no matter who this professional is. This is due to stimulants being a Schedule 8 medication and liability falling to the psychiatrist for this prescription.

A good psychiatrist will be willing to review collateral information you bring to your appointment, including reports and letters, screeners, or school report cards. Some psychiatrists will complete a few informal sessions and others will want to do a full assessment (like above) with varied costs (from $500 out of pocket for 2 sessions to thousands of dollars).

It is important when speaking to psychiatry practices that you ask:

a) if they work with and treat adult ADHD

b) what their process is and if they will accept any reports you have

c) what the cost is

If practices will not share this information, it might be good to look elsewhere to ones that are more transparent.

Some people still like to be assessed by a psychologist for a few reasons, such as wanting an in-depth assessment to get answers, not wishing to pursue medication, not presenting in stereotypical ways, or a history of not being able to get health practitioners to take concerns seriously.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions about this.

What do I need to provide to book?

To book, I ask for your name, address, email, mobile number, and date of birth. I treat this information confidentially and will not release it to others or use it in any way other than for the purpose of your assessment. I will not call you unless it is necessary and will use text and email to communicate.

Your mobile number is needed for system reminders and as part of my process that is designed to make administration easier for me. I will never release your information to any third party without your consent. If you cancel your assessment, I immediately archive you file.

On booking, I provide you with links to a privacy and consent form to complete. It is appreciated if these are completed at the time of booking so I do not have to chase you.

How is the testing and interview portion completed?

The interview takes place in my clinic (e.g., face to face) or via telehealth (secure video platform). Depending in the type of assessment the interview takes 2 to 3.5 hours.

Two weeks before your appointment, you will be sent some online forms and screeners to complete, which take approximately 1-2 hours to complete. These can be done at your home at a time convenient to you but need to be submitted at a set time prior to your appointment. This will be detailed for you in the email containing your prep.

Generally the preparation is not sent out earlier to keep it close to the appointment date for assessment integrity. However, this can be adjusted so please reach out if you feel this would help you.

It is natural to worry about completing the forms and want to get "everything" in there. Please consider that I do not need extensive information and the forms are a guide to get me started. Bullet points in completely the forms are fine. I will ask you everything I need to know during the interview.

After your interview, you will be emailed additional online assessments within 1-2 days that need to be completed within 1-2 weeks.

What report do I get and when do I get it?

Reports take 4-8 weeks from the date of your appointment. Various factors can influence this, such as delays in receiving requested information or assessment falling around holiday periods (e.g., when I am on leave, Christmas).

Once your report is finalised an invoice is sent for the remaining balance and the report will be forwarded to you on payment. Your report will not be sent until you have paid in full, which is done without exceptions.

You will get one detailed report (12-20 pages) that contains background information, assessment procedures and results, and diagnoses (if applicable) and a 1-page report of your diagnoses. You can also request other short letters, such as one detailing school or university adjustments or one for workplace adjustments - these are provided free of charge.

If you meet certain criteria, your report may be suitable to apply for services such as NDIS and it is important to let me know if you intend on applying so I can write your report accordingly. If you wish to apply for disability support pension (DSP), you will likely need another short document that outlines how you meet this criteria. This is available on request and for an additional cost of $275, which is to cover the work involved in preparing it. Please see here for more information about NDIS and DSP.

What is in a report?

Reports are very detailed and consist of background information, test scores, interpretation of results, recommendations for treatment, and any relevant diagnoses. They are approximately 12 to 20 pages long and can be passed on to relevant people to aid in treatment (e.g., schools, universities, workplaces, NDIS).

Do you guarantee NDIS or DSP funding?

Some people wish to access services to gain support and this is the reason they are seeking an assessment.

NDIS/NDIA

I cannot guarantee that my diagnostic reports will be sufficient for access to NDIS funding. The NDIS determines eligibility based on an individual's 'level of functioning' and other factors beyond my control. You may also need an additional assessment and report from an Occupational Therapist to strengthen your application. Requirements can differ in each state and can vary with individual Local Area Coordinators (LAC's). Whilst some of my clients who have wanted to seek NDIS funding have been successful in this regard, I am mindful of the cost of this service, and if your goal is accessing the NDIS, you may be better served by an alternative service. I will be unable to assist you with accessing NDIS after your assessment.

I also do not provide assessments for NDIS/NDIA tribunal matters where an application for access to the scheme has been refused or is being disputed.

Disability Support Pension (DSP)

Regarding DSP, some clients who have been unable to work for long periods due to disability may wish to access this service. If you wish to access DSP there is an additional cost involved as I need to gather additional information for this purpose to ensure I assess the specific DSP criteria. Whilst I go to every effort to follow these guidelines and assess you in a way to allow a fair consideration by DSP, I cannot guarantee that my report will be sufficient for DSP access and that other information will not be required. I will be unable to assist you with accessing DSP after your assessment.

DSP assessments incur an additional fee due to the additional time needed to complete required tables in addition to your assessment. This is $275 which will provide you with a short report detailing how you meet these requirements.

Please ensure you do your own research in regards to these matters.

Do you work on legal matters?

My reports are diagnostic in nature and are not medico-legal reports and are not to be used for these purposes. Medico-legal reports is an area of specialisation for psychologists and I do not work in this area.

I do not provide any letters regarding legal matters, court appearances, and return to work or independent medical examination reports.

I do not provide assessments for NDIS/NDIA tribunal matters where an application for access to the scheme is being disputed.

I do not provide reports that are connected to child custody issues or parenting disputes.

If you have booked an assessment and not advised me on these matters it will result in the immediate cancellation of your assessment, the charging of a cancellation fee, and the inability to use any written communication by me in any legal matters.

I am unable to provide referral options for medico-legal practitioners.

Can I attend the appointment with my loved one?

You are able to bring someone to your appointment if it makes you feel more comfortable. This could be a partner, parent, or friend. They are able to come into the interview with you as moral support, can attend with you online, or can wait outside taking in the views.

You will still be required to answer the questions that I ask but I can also collect collateral information from your loved one at the same time.

For parents of teens, you are able to attend the appointment if your teen prefers this. If they prefer to do it alone, I will schedule a separate time to speak to you.

Cancellation of Assessment

You are of course welcome to cancel your appointment and you can do so for without charge as long as it is within certain timeframes.

My policy requires 14 days notice to cancel an assessment appointment. This means that after you receive your 3 week confirmation email, you will have approximately 7 days to cancel it without a fee. It is your responsibility to cancel your appointment within the required time frame and my processes allow adequate time for cancellation and advice on how to do so.

This notice period may seem long, but it is due to various factors, such as ensuring I have enough time to offer the appointment to someone else in need whilst allowing all the necessary work to be done (e.g., giving them time to do the prep and me to do my part). It is also to prevent any unnecessary work being done by me if you do not attend.

If you cancel without giving 14 days notice, you will be charged an administration fee of $300, which is solely to cover my administration costs. This also applies if you fail to attend your assessment or have not done your preparation in time and your assessment has had to be rescheduled. You can cancel via replying to the welcome email I sent you or by using the contact form or 'contact' buttons on my website.

If you know in advance that you do not want your appointment (e.g., you have found a sooner appointment, changed your mind about assessment), please reach out and let me know so I can fill it. Filling appointments at the last minute can be tricky and time consuming so it is appreciated when this can be avoided.

Can you also see me for therapy?

Unfortunately it is unlikely that I will be able to see you for both therapy and assessment. My therapy books are currently closed and my ability to not take on new clients is likely to continue to be low as I practice sustainably. I also stopped waitlisting clients as I could not provide a window of time as to when I would be able to see them, which is considered the best ethical practice. If you are looking for absolute continuity with a practitioner you will likely need to find someone else who can accommodate this. Otherwise, you are welcome to enquire at the end of your assessment.

When should I book an appointment?

Please only book an appointment with me if you have decided on me as your assessor. If you plan to 'shop around' or find someone earlier, I am likely not the right person for you. If your assessment is urgent, please reach out and I will do my best to help you as quickly as I can within the scope of my other clients.

Ensure you are certain that you really want to have an assessment. It is common for people to feel unsure about it and spend considerable time weighing up the pros and cons. Assessment needs a solid rationale and purpose.

Feeling uncertain and bouncing between certainty and uncertainty about if you are neurodivergent particularly happens with late diagnosed neurodivergent individuals due to the extended social assimilation they have experienced making them feel unsure if they are 'faking it' or just 'making it up'. Take your time with it and do it if and when it feels right. You have waited this long, it is good to be sure.

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