Our psychologists adopt a strength-based approach with clients, viewing ADHD as a natural variation of the brain rather than a disorder or disability. However, we also understand that when the environment doesn’t align well with an individual due to symptoms of ADHD, it can sometimes affect their ability to thrive or, in certain situations, prompt the recognition of challenges that need support and accommodation. Our psychologists primary focus is to address mental health concerns, support the development of a positive self-identity, and foster the acquisition of self-advocacy skills, and provide ADHD assessments for adults.
ADHD and when to seek support for an assessment or therapy
An ADHD assessment is a thorough evaluation designed to diagnose ADHD, a condition formally known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This process entails a battery of standardised tests aimed at determining whether an individual meets the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Our Melbourne psychology practice has a special in ADHD assessment and diagnosis in adults.
What are the 5 main benefits of pursuing an ADHD assessment?
- An assessment can help to determine if an individual is experiencing symptoms of ADHD and whether they meet the diagnostic criteria.
- ADHD symptoms can overlap with anxiety, depression, and other mental health difficulties. A diagnostic assessment with one of our psychologists can help to distinguish those symptoms relating to ADHD and secondary symptoms of ADHD. It is often that individuals experience anxiety, low mood, burnout and depression secondary to ADHD, due to the challenges associated with executive function skills and emotion regulation.
- Upon an ADHD diagnosis, the assessment findings can be invaluable in shaping therapy goals for individualised therapy sessions with one of our psychologists. Specifically, the assessment helps in tailoring an individualised treatment plan to addresses the individual’s distinct symptoms and requirements. Treatment options might encompass medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments.
- When ADHD disrupts an individuals performance at school, work, or within their personal life, an assessment identifies strategies and adaptations to elevate functioning and overall quality of life. Often this will involve exploring the environmental fit and additional supports.
- An ADHD diagnosis not only validates the struggles an individual might have faced but also opens doors to valuable support and resources. This support network aids in managing symptoms and fostering overall well-being.
What is involved in an assessment for ADHD at our Melbourne psychology practice?
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, our assessment includes psychological testing to determine the individual’s cognitive profile including a visual graph in the diagnostic report. This is important as it determines the need for specific therapy goals post-assessment.
Specifically, in our assessment of ADHD in adults, our psychologists utilise a number of scales including the Brown’s Executive Function/Attention Scale to better understand the individuals cognitive management system. Brown EF/AS Scale assesses the six executive function clusters that are found to be associated with ADHD, which include: activation, focus, effort, emotion, memory, and action.
What happens after completing the rating scales?
After the individual completes of all rating scales, informant reports, and psychological testing, you will meet with one of our psychologists for the clinical interview. Your psychologist will meticulously review the results of the rating scales and psychological testing prior to your clinical interview, and provide a diagnosis impression and treatment options.
We encourage individuals and their families to schedule an additional consultation with the assessor for further discussions or to delve deeper into the report’s details when desired.
Components of our Psychological Assessment:
A Summary of our Comprehensive ADHD Assessment
Clinical interview
Clinical interview
Multiple Self-report scales
Multiple Self-report scales
cognitive profile
cognitive profile
Visual Graph of cognitive profile
Visual Graph of cognitive profile
detailed diagnostic report
detailed diagnostic report
Recommendations
Recommendations
Our ADHD Information Kit
Our ADHD Information Kit
What exactly is involved in our ADHD assessment?
Initial Screening:
The first step in the assessment process is an initial screening to determine whether the individual has symptoms that may indicate ADHD.
Rating Scales:
Rating scales are used to assess the severity of symptoms and to evaluate the individual’s functioning in various areas of life, such as home, school, and work. The self-report scales are also useful in differential diagnosis to rule out a range of common presenting difficulties such as anxiety and depression. You will be asked to complete a number of self-report rating scales including the DIVA-5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults, Fifth Edition).
Informant Report:
The ADHD informant report is a crucial tool in diagnosing and assessing ADHD. It gathers insights from individuals close to the person being evaluated, such as parents, caregivers, teachers, or friends, to comprehensively understand their ADHD-related challenges. This report is vital for clinicians to make an accurate assessment and create a tailored treatment plan.
Psychological Testing:
Psychological testing may be conducted to evaluate the individual’s cognitive abilities, attention, memory, and other aspects of psychological functioning. The Brown’s Executive Function/Attention Scale is utilised to measure cognitive function.
Medical and Relevant Background History:
Your psychologist will gather information about your medical history, visual, auditory, motor, sensory and development to gauge any medical conditions to be examined prior to diagnosis. A medical exam may be recommended to rule out other medical conditions that may be causing the individual’s symptoms. This would be completed by your GP, as this would involve a medical practitioner.
Clinical Interview (1-hour):
A detailed clinical interview is conducted by a psychologists that has undergone additional training in assessment and intervention for ADHD specifically in adults. The clinical interview gathers information about the individual’s symptoms, verifies the medical history, family history, and other relevant factors.
Diagnostic Report:
A comprehensive diagnostic report, referencing the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. The report will also include recommendations, test results, and support you in arranging the next steps.
ADHD Information Kit:
Our clinic has prepared an information kit to provide to the individual and their families, which allows a full understanding of the presentation and strategies to better manage symptoms including strategies to manage specific executive function difficulties. It is really important to read information from a credible source when learning about your recent adult diagnosis of ADHD.
How can Positive Wellbeing Psychology help?
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, our experienced Melbourne psychology practice specializes in working with clients who face challenges related to attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, executive function, and self-management skills. We utilise evidence-based standardised assessment tools and evidence-based approaches including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy.
ADHD symptoms can change and may be concealed in adulthood, often making them harder to assess. We recommend consulting an experienced psychologist for ADHD assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based therapy.
Make an Appointment
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, we offer flexible appointments with our psychologists during the day, evening, or weekends, both in-person at our Melbourne psychology practice or online via telehealth.
Our team of psychologists hold full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and adhere to ethical guidelines as mandated by the Psychologists Registration Board and Australian Psychological Society. Our clinical practice is grounded in evidence-based treatment approaches and utilisation of standardised assessment tools for conducting our ADHD assessment process in Melbourne, ensuring comprehensive support for ADHD testing in adults, accurate diagnosis, and effective therapy to successfully manage ADHD symptoms.