The “Letter” (1-3 pages, depending on assessment) is a brief overview of the assessment measures used and your diagnosis (if applicable) according to the DSM-5-TR. This is best for those who want to know if they are autistic and/or ADHD, and are happy to explore their relevant neurodivergent traits outside of the assessment process.

The “Report” is typically between 10-18 pages, depending on the type of assessment. It includes brief background information, an overview of psychometrics used, a summary of how each DSM-5-TR criteria was met/not met, a summary, and recommendations of next steps, including tailored resource suggestions.

Firstly, please note that a diagnosis of ADHD is typically insufficient for NDIS funding.

If you intend to apply for NDIS funding, I recommend you see a clinical psychologist, pediatrician, or a psychiatrist for your assessment. As a registered psychologist, I can conduct formal diagnostic assessments, however, the NDIS requires that single clinician diagnostic reports be completed by a clinical psychologist, pediatrician, or psychiatrist. This means that a report completed by myself may not be accepted by the NDIS.

There is an option of getting a supporting letter completed by a clinical psychologist to support your report. If you would like to pursue this option, I will provide referral options for clinical psychologists you can contact to pursue this additional support letter. This will incur an additional cost, and is to be discussed with the clinical psychologist (e.g. I do not organise this for you).

Even if you pursue a supporting letter completed by a clinical psychologist, please note that this report alone does not guarantee your acceptance to the NDIS. The NDIS typically require a functional assessment in addition to a formal diagnosis. While I do include psychometrics that assess functional capacity in your report (WHODAS), this may not be enough to determine your suitability in the eyes of the NDIS.

A Functional Capacity Assessment is recommended in addition to a diagnostic assessment report to account for this requirement. This is typically completed by an Occupational Therapist.

If you would like to use your report to apply to the NDIS, please let me know at the beginning of the assessment process. In order to adhere to the NDIS guidelines, I will have to alter the language used in your report. We can discuss this further if you would like to pursue this option.

If you want to pursue some sort of funding (e.g. NDIS), I recommend the report. If you are interested in applying to the NDIS, please let me know when you inquire about an assessment, and we can discuss further.

Yes, we can typically add assessment of additional diagnoses if you would like (OCD, C-PTSD, eating disoreders, etc). I screen for a variety of differential diagnoses during the assessment process, but additional hours will be needed to provide any formal diagnoses that are in addition to the assessment purpose (ADHD / Autism). These additional hours will be billed at my standard rate of $240/hour.

The intake forms are intentionally quite comprehensive to help me assess your potential neurodivergent traits, and to determine whether a formal assessment is likely to be worthwhile. If at any point during the assessment I believe you are unlikely to meet the diagnostic criteria for Autism and/or ADHD (depending on which assessment you’re doing), I will discuss this with you. You are welcome to continue with the assessment despite my recommendation if you’d like. However, if you choose to pause the assessment at that point, you will only be billed a pro-rata rate based on the work completed to date.

In all honesty, if your goal of an ADHD assessment is to access medication, I recommend you see a psychiatrist, not a psychologist. Although I am able to provide you with an assessment and confirmation of diagnosis if indicated, I cannot prescribe medication.

Some psychiatrists may not accept a psychologist’s diagnosis, and may require their own assessment, which means double the time and cost for you.

If you are looking a more in-depth exploration of your neurotype, an ADHD assessment with a psychologist may be warranted. This may be especially useful for AFAB and female individuals who have more internalised presentations, as they are more often under- or mis-diagnosed.

Nope, you don’t need family to provide supporting evidence! I do typically request a “supporting person” complete a questionnaire to support your assessment, and it can be beneficial to have someone who has known you for a long time be this “supporting person” (e.g. a family member). However, it doesn’t have to be your family.

Some typical “supporting person” options include: a parent, step-parent, sibling, cousin, other relative, partner, friend, mentor, supervisor, professional support, allied health professional, GP, etc.

If you have any additional questions about this, just send me a message, and we can chat about it!

Yes!

I am able to complete Access Request Forms, which are utilised to apply to the NDIS.

I am also able to complete government forms (i.e. Centrelink), if it is clear that I am the appropriate individual to be completing said form.

The completion of additional forms is not covered in the assessment cost, and will be charged at a fee of $240 per hour.

1. Most clients pay privately, via bank transfer or stored card (card payment accrues additional processing fees).

2. Private Health Rebates: you may be eligible for a rebate from your private health cover; you will need to contact them directly for details.

3. NDIS funding: NDIS typically does not fund assessments, unless this is specifically stated in your plan. Please contact an NDIS support for further clarification (support coordinator, local area coordinator, plan manager, etc.)

4. Individuals under 25 years old can be referred for an Autism assessment by a pediatrician or psychiatrist, which may qualify you for a partial rebate. You are not able to utilise Mental Health Care Plans to fund these assessments.

A booking fee of $200 is required to confirm your booking. This is deducted from the total cost of your assessment.

Full payment for your assessment is due either by the end of the Zoom interview portion of the assessment, or before the feedback session, depending on your personal situation.

With either option, you are able to pay in up to four installments. However, full payment is due prior to you receiving your report or attending your feedback session. Please email me to discuss this further if needed.

Unfortunately, a phone call is not an appropriate means of conducting this assessment. A portion of the assessment relies on observation, which I can only assess by physically seeing you via Zoom. We may be able to have a portion of the interview via phone call if you have an accessibility requirement for this. Just send me an email and we can chat further.