Should my child see a psychologist or a paediatrician for an ADHD assessment?
One of the most common questions we're asked is whether families should start with a psychologist, a paediatrician or a psychiatrist for an ADHD assessment. There's no single right answer. The best pathway depends on your goals for your child. Here's how each option works.
The paediatrician or psychiatrist pathway
You may choose to see a paediatrician or a child and adolescent psychiatrist. You'll usually need a referral from your GP. Paediatricians and psychiatrists can assess for and diagnose ADHD, and they don't necessarily need input from a psychologist. They can also prescribe medication and provide ongoing review.
Some families go directly to a paediatrician or psychiatrist for the whole process. In some cases, for example if a cognitive assessment is recommended or there are other concerns, they may refer your child to a psychologist for further assessment or support.
Once medication is started, your GP may be able to continue prescribing under a shared-care arrangement. In WA, some GPs with additional ADHD training have also being authorised to diagnose and prescribe, so it's worth asking your GP about the options available to you.
The psychologist pathway
Psychologists can also assess for and diagnose ADHD. A psychologist assessment usually includes:
a detailed interview with parents or carers
information from other people who know your child well, such as teachers
an observation of your child at school, kindy or another setting
standardised questionnaires
often, a cognitive assessment
As part of our assessments, we also look for any co-occurring emotional or social concerns. We make recommendations about ongoing support and strategies for school, and let you know if any further assessment might be helpful.
Psychologists can't prescribe medication. If you'd like to explore medication, you'll need to see a paediatrician, psychiatrist or appropriately authorised GP. You can bring your psychologist's report to that appointment to be considered as part of their own assessment. The doctor will make their own decision about diagnosis and whether medication is appropriate.
Which pathway suits your goals?
If your main aim is to explore medication, going straight to a paediatrician or psychiatrist may be the most direct option.
A psychologist assessment can be helpful if you'd like a detailed picture of how your child learns and what support might help. It usually includes a standardised cognitive assessment, such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V) for school-aged children, or other age-appropriate tools for younger children. This shows how your child learns and processes information, and allows for detailed recommendations about support at school. Psychologists can also screen for other concerns, such as anxiety, which may be useful for some children and families.
How do ADHD assessments work at Therapy for Kids Perth?
Every child is different, so we don't have a set package or price for ADHD assessments. Instead, the process starts with an initial assessment consultation with one of our psychologists.
In this session, your psychologist will ask about your child's strengths, differences and support needs, and explain the assessment process in more detail. If you decide to go ahead, they will put together a tailored package and quote, so you know what to expect.
Tailoring each package means we can include the tools that will be most useful for your child and leave out anything that has already been done. Our assessments generally include a parent interview, an observation, and standardised assessments and questionnaires. They are informed by the Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for ADHD.
Our admin team can talk you through fees and any funding options that may apply.
Let's talk it through first
You don't have to decide on a full assessment before you've spoken to anyone. An initial consultation is a chance to ask questions, share your concerns, and work with a psychologist to decide the right next step for your child — with no pressure to commit.
