ADHD Assessment
Understanding how your child's mind works is a powerful first step. Our ADHD assessments are thorough, neuroaffirming, and built around your child as a whole person.
Understanding ADHD — not labelling it
An ADHD assessment is a structured process designed to build a detailed picture of how your child thinks, focuses, regulates, and engages with the world. It's not about finding fault or pinning a label on your child — it's about understanding their unique profile so that they, and everyone around them, can better support them.
ADHD looks different in every person. It can show up as difficulty sustaining attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, or a combination of these — and it can also present very differently depending on the child's age, gender, environment, and co-occurring conditions. A thorough assessment takes all of this into account.
Our assessments are completed by psychologists and are conducted in a warm, relaxed environment where your child feels comfortable and respected. We work closely with families throughout the process — you'll never be left wondering what's happening or why.
A confirmed understanding of ADHD can open doors to the right support at school, access to NDIS funding, tailored therapy, and most importantly — a child who finally understands why their brain works the way it does.
"An ADHD diagnosis isn't a ceiling — it's a map. It helps families, educators, and young people navigate with far greater clarity and confidence."
Who conducts the assessment?
Our ADHD assessments are conducted by psychologists with experience in ADHD across childhood and adolescence. Our psychologists can provide comprehensive assessment reports to support a diagnosis of ADHD. Please note that our psychologists are not able to prescribe medication — if you are seeking to explore medication, you can take our report to a paediatrician (for children) or a psychiatrist (for adolescents and adults) to discuss this further.
Enquire About an Assessment →Signs that a family might enquire about an assessment
Every child is different, and ADHD presents in many ways. These are some of the things families and educators commonly notice before seeking an assessment — not a diagnostic checklist, just a guide.
Difficulty sustaining attention
Struggling to stay focused on tasks, particularly those that feel repetitive or less interesting — including schoolwork, homework, or instructions that require sustained listening.
Impulsivity
Acting or speaking before thinking, difficulty waiting their turn, interrupting conversations, or making quick decisions without considering consequences.
High energy & restlessness
Difficulty sitting still, constantly on the move, fidgeting, or finding it hard to engage in quiet activities for extended periods — particularly noticeable in structured settings like classrooms.
Organisation & planning challenges
Losing things frequently, forgetting instructions, struggling to manage time, start tasks, or break larger tasks into manageable steps — affecting performance at school and at home.
Hyperfocus
Becoming intensely absorbed in preferred activities to the point where it's hard to shift attention — this is a less commonly recognised aspect of ADHD that coexists with attention difficulties in other areas.
Emotional regulation difficulties
Experiencing intense emotional responses, frustration, or difficulty recovering from upset — often linked to the way the ADHD brain processes and manages feelings.
Social difficulties
Struggling to read social cues, maintain friendships, or manage the give-and-take of social interactions — often related to impulsivity or difficulty regulating in social settings.
Academic underachievement
Performing below their potential at school despite clear intelligence and effort — often because ADHD-related challenges with attention, working memory, or organisation are getting in the way.
Please note: These are general observations — many of these experiences are also common in children without ADHD, and some children with ADHD present very differently to this list. An assessment is the right way to build an accurate picture. If you're noticing a pattern of challenges that are affecting your child's everyday life, it's always worth having a conversation with us or your GP.
What does an ADHD assessment involve?
Our ADHD assessments are thorough and multi-method — drawing on information from multiple sources to build the most complete and accurate picture of your child.
Initial enquiry & intake
We start with a conversation about your child and what you're hoping to understand. We'll gather some background information and confirm the assessment is a good fit before booking in.
Parent & carer interview
A detailed interview with you to understand your child's developmental history, strengths, challenges, and how ADHD-related traits show up at home, in social settings, and across different environments.
Standardised rating scales
We use validated questionnaires completed by parents and teachers to gather structured information about your child's behaviour and attention across different settings — an important part of any ADHD assessment.
Direct assessment with your child
One-on-one sessions with your child using standardised cognitive and attention measures. These are presented in an engaging, low-pressure way — your child won't feel like they're being tested.
Scoring & report writing
Your psychologist analyses all the information gathered and writes a comprehensive report detailing your child's profile, findings, and tailored recommendations for school, home, and any further support.
Feedback session
We walk you through the report findings in a dedicated feedback session, answer your questions, and help you understand next steps — including how to access ongoing therapy with our team to build the strategies and skills that make a real difference day to day.
A note about medication
Our psychologists can provide comprehensive assessment reports to support a diagnosis of ADHD. Please note that our psychologists are not able to prescribe medication. If you are seeking to access medication, you can take our report to a paediatrician (for children) or a psychiatrist (for adolescents and adults) to explore this further. Following the assessment, we are happy to provide ongoing therapy to support you or your child with the strategies and skills that make a real difference.
Frequently asked questions
We know an assessment is a big step. Here are some of the questions families most commonly ask us.
How long does an ADHD assessment take?
The assessment process typically spans several appointments over a few weeks. This includes the parent interview, sessions with your child, teacher questionnaires, and the feedback appointment. The total time from first appointment to receiving the report varies, but we'll give you a clear timeline when you enquire.
Does my child need a referral for an ADHD assessment?
No referral is required to book an ADHD assessment with us directly. If you plan to use Medicare funding under the M10 program, a referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist will be needed — a GP referral is not sufficient for the assessment component of this program. Contact us and we can help you work out the best pathway for your family.
What age can children be assessed for ADHD?
We assess children, adolescents, and young adults. ADHD can be reliably assessed from around 5–6 years of age, though younger children may require a different approach. We'll discuss age-appropriateness with you at the time of enquiry.
What happens after the assessment?
After your feedback session, you'll have a detailed written report with your child's profile and tailored recommendations. Depending on the findings, next steps might include school support planning, NDIS access, exploring medication options with a paediatrician (for children) or psychiatrist (for adolescents and adults), or ongoing therapy with our team to build the strategies and skills that make a real difference.
You're never left to navigate next steps alone — our team is here to help you understand what the findings mean and where to go from here.
Can ADHD be assessed alongside autism?
Yes. ADHD and autism frequently co-occur, and many families choose to complete both assessments together or in sequence. We offer both ADHD and autism assessments and can discuss a combined approach if this seems relevant for your child. Please see our Autism Assessment page for more information.
Will the assessment tell me if my child has ADHD?
Our psychologists can provide comprehensive assessment reports to support a diagnosis of ADHD, and will be clear with you about the findings and what they suggest. If you are seeking to access medication as part of your child's support, you can take our report to a paediatrician (for children) or a psychiatrist (for adolescents and adults) to explore this further.
My child has already been diagnosed — can they still access support?
Absolutely. If your child already has an ADHD diagnosis and you're looking for ongoing support — whether that's occupational therapy, psychology, or speech pathology — our team can help. You don't need to complete a new assessment to access therapy services. Head to our Psychology or Occupational Therapy pages to find out more.
How to fund an ADHD assessment
ADHD assessments can be funded in a number of ways. Get in touch if you're not sure which option applies to your family.
Medicare — M10 Program
Medicare rebates may be available for ADHD assessment sessions under the M10 Complex Neurodevelopmental Conditions program.
To access M10 for assessment, a referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist is required — a GP referral is not sufficient for the assessment component of this program.
Please note that not all assessment sessions attract a Medicare rebate — our team can clarify what applies when you enquire.
Private Health Insurance
Some private health funds offer rebates for psychological assessments under extras cover. Coverage varies depending on your fund and policy. We recommend checking with your fund before booking.
Self-Funded (Private Pay)
ADHD assessments are available on a self-funded basis with no referral required. Please contact us for current assessment fees.
Medicare information is provided as a general guide only. Eligibility criteria and rebate amounts can change. Please refer to MBS Online or speak with your GP for the most current information. A gap payment will apply for most assessment sessions — our team can provide a fee estimate when you enquire.
Also looking for a different assessment?
We offer a range of assessments at Therapy for Kids Perth. Explore our other options below.
Autism Assessment
A comprehensive, neuroaffirming autism assessment for children, adolescents, and young adults.
Cognitive Assessment
Understanding your child's cognitive profile — including intellectual ability, processing speed, and memory.
Functional Capacity Assessment
Commonly used for NDIS planning purposes, completed by our occupational therapists.
GPs, Paediatricians & Schools
We welcome referrals for ADHD assessments from GPs, paediatricians, psychiatrists, schools, and other health professionals. Our psychologists provide comprehensive written reports and are happy to liaise with referrers and medical professionals with the family's consent.
Families can also self-refer — no referral is required for private bookings. If you're sending a Medicare referral under M10, please ensure the paediatrician or psychiatrist has claimed the relevant Medicare items and that the referral includes all required details.
What to include in your referral:
- Child's name, date of birth, and contact details
- Reason for referral and relevant clinical or developmental history
- M10 referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist if Medicare funding is being used for the assessment
- Your provider number, practice address, and referral date
- Any previous assessments, school reports, or relevant documentation
- Whether an autism assessment has been completed or is also being considered
Get in touch
Phone
08 6384 7041Administration hours
Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm