Autism & ADHD Assessments

Diagnostic assessments for identifying neurodivergence

My books are open for assessment but I am booked out for 2024 and currently booking into July 2025.

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.

Assessments are conducted face to face in Pullenvale or via telehealth Monday's or Tuesday's 12.00pm AEST. These times are all Brisbane, Queensland time.

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 or 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 out to guide treating professionals.

To book an appointment:

Reach out using the "make an enquiry" button below or contact form.
Please provide all of these details:
- your name
- address
- date of birth
- mobile number (not to call you, for your 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.

This will save administrative burden, back and forth emails, and save you filling in a form.

Note: information provided is for clarity and is direct in nature to avoid confusion, reduce administrative burden, and to save spoons.

ADHD Assessment (17+ and Adults)

Comprehensive assessment including clinical interview and executive function assessments.
Requires 2 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 screeners, 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 and ability to email me with any questions.
$1500

ADHD medication: please note you do not need an assessment from a psychologist for ADHD in order to receive medication. In most cases, it is easier and more cost effective to go straight to a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists will need to do their own due diligence due to prescribing schedule 8 medications and some may not accept my report. Every psychiatrist has a different process. Please see here for more details to ensure an assessment is right for you and feel free to contact me to discuss.

Autism Assessment (17+ and Adults)

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 at the end of the interview including criteria you meet and the ability to email me with any questions.
$1950

Autism and ADHD Assessment (17+ and Adults)

As above.
3 - 3.5 hour telehealth/face to face interview.
$2500

Therapy: I cannot guarantee that I can see you for both therapy and assessment. My books are currently closed for therapy and my ability to not take on new clients is likely to continue to be low as I reduce my load to manage my own wellbeing and practice sustainably. If you are looking for absolute continuity you will need to find another practitioner. Otherwise, you are welcome to enquire at the end of your assessment.

A note about language: 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 Autistics are preferred. Reports do not contain this terminology or stigmatising language with a deficit lens as this is not in line with the neurodiversity affirming paradigm. Paradoxically, ADHD is still the term chosen by ADHDers as usually the D is ignored and the acronym rolls off the tongue more (for most). In addition, the term for our neurotypes is neurodivergent. This means it 'diverges' from the expected neurotype. People often use the term neurodiverse or neurodiversity, however this refers to everyone. Language matters.

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

You will get an email confirming your booking and outlining the fees and process.
You need to digitally complete the privacy and consent form sent to you within 7 days of receipt to confirm your booking.
Three weeks before your appointment you will be emailed to confirm. You need to respond to this. You will also be asked to complete a short form asking what information you have for your assessment. You need to complete this.
Two weeks before your appointment you will get an email containing the online assessment preparation, which will take you around 1-3 hours to complete.
You will get a text message 7 days before your assessment asking you to confirm - you need to respond to this.
You will get an invoice for 50% of the fee 3 days before your interview, which needs to be paid prior (unless you are paying in clinic with a card).
If you are telehealth, you will get a link the day before your appointment time. If you are face to face you will get an email explaining how to get to me.
After your interview you are sent other online assessments to complete.
Reports: take 6-8 weeks from the date of your interview. Various factors can influence this, such as delays in receiving requested information or assessment falling around holiday periods (e.g., leave, Christmas). Once your report is finalised an invoice is sent for the remaining balance and the report forwarded on payment.

Fees can be paid in the following ways:

Bank transfer: this is the preferred method of payment. Your invoice will be sent out 3 days before your appointment. Please forward your receipt on payment.
Debit via EFTPOS in clinic: you can pay using your debit EFTPOS card without a fee (not credit card, debit of bank account) in the clinic on the day of your appointment if you are attending in person.
Credit card: you can use a credit card (e.g., visa or mastercard) in person or online and pay the fee, which is 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 $975, which would incur a $10.72 or $16.57 fee.
Bank transfer will be assumed so please let me know on booking if you wish to pay another way.

Frequently Asked Questions for Assessments

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 $380. 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. A referral is not needed for an assessment.

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?

You do not need to pay anything when booking your assessment. I ask that if you do need to cancel, you give me as much notice as possible (minimum 5 days) so I can offer the appointment to someone else in need and give them adequate time to prepare.

Payment of 50% of the total fee is required by the day of your assessment. To facilitate this, an invoice will be sent to you 3 days before your appointment, both of in person and telehealth appointments.

The preferred payment method is via bank deposit, but you can also pay in clinic with a debit (EFTPOS) card (not credit), or via credit card if you wish to pay the fees, which are 1.1% in clinic or 1.7% online.

When your report is completed (approximately 6-8 weeks), you then pay the final 50% instalment prior to receiving your report. Reports cannot be issued before full payment has been made.

Please reach out if you expect you will need more time to pay for your appointment so we can come up with a plan.

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, email, and mobile number. 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 primarily 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.

On booking, I provide you with links to privacy and consent forms to complete. It is appreciated if these are completed at the time of booking so I do not have to chase you, so you can get reminders for appointments, and so other details can be set in your profile (e.g., pronouns, time zone).

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 2.5 hours.

One to 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 3 days prior to your assessment. Generally the preparation is not sent out earlier to keep it close to the appointment date for assessment integrity.

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. I will ask you everything I need to know during the interview.

After your interview, you will be emailed additional online assessments to complete within 1-2 weeks.

How long does it take to get the report?

Report turnaround is approximately 6-8 weeks from date of testing but it can be shorter or longer than this depending on the time of year. For example, over Christmas there is usually a delay with reports as I take 4 weeks off and do not work at this time. Other times I may complete your report early due to some stroke of luck.

As soon as the report is completed, I will send you my invoice. Please note full payment is required prior to the report being released. If you need additional time to finalise your invoice, please reach out and let me know.

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). A short version of your report can also be requested. Reports take approximately 6-8 weeks to be completed.

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.

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 or are able to wait outside taking in the views.

For parents with tweens and teens, you are able to attend the appointment if your child prefers this. If prefer to do it alone, I will schedule another time to speak to you.

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Therapy books CLOSED

Autism & ADHD Assessments

Diagnostic assessments for identifying neurodivergence

Fees can be paid in the following ways: