Autism, ADHD and Cognitive Assessments

Access Psych offers trauma-informed, evidence-based Autism, ADHD and Cognitive assessments for children, adolescents and adults. Assessments are typically offered face-to-face at our Access Psych clinics in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth, though some assessments can also be completed via telehealth.

Please note: Completing an assessment does not guarantee a diagnosis of ADHD or Autism.

Who We Assess and How

Assessment Type	Age Group	Telehealth Available?
Autism	Children & adolescents (6-17)	No
Autism	Adults (18+)	Yes
ADHD	Children (6-11)	No
ADHD	Adults (18+)	Yes
Cognitive	Ages 6-90	No

Please note: Face‑to‑face assessments are currently offered at Access Psych clinics in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth only.

How the Assessment Works

1. Complete Questionnaires

Once your booking is confirmed, online questionnaires will be sent to you to complete before the assessment appointment. Another person may be asked to complete observer questionnaires, such as someone who knows you well or your child’s teacher.

2. Assessment Appointment

Single assessment (ADHD, Autism or Cognitive): one 120 minute session
Combined ADHD & Autism: two × 120 minute sessions

Your clinician will use validated assessment tools. You’ll have time to ask questions.

3. Report Writing

Your clinician prepares a comprehensive report with findings and tailored recommendations.

Reports are typically completed within 2 weeks of your assessment.

4. Feedback Session

30 minute feedback phone call to discuss your results, recommendations and next steps. Your report is emailed to you after this session.

Please note: If you are seeking ADHD assessment to access medication, you will need to consult a psychiatrist.

Fees

Service	Fee
ADHD, Autism or Cognitive (single assessment)	$1,750
ADHD and Autism (combined assessment)	$2,625

How to Book

It’s easy to book an Assessment with Access Psych. You can:

Complete our online enquiry form and we will contact you to confirm suitability, telehealth or in-person, and the next available appointment.
Call us on 1800 APSYCH (1800 277 924) to talk to one of our friendly team.

Information Sheets

Adults (18+)

Children & Adolescents

Frequently asked questions

ASSESSMENTS ADHD AUTISM Cognitive

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Frequently asked questions about Assessments

What are the benefits of a diagnosis?

For many people, receiving a diagnosis can enable self-compassion, validation and understanding by both self and others. It can also provide access to needed support and development of strategies for managing daily challenges.

Do I need a GP Referral?

No, a GP referral is not required for an assessment. Medicare rebates may apply for assessments when referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist under specific MBS items (for clients under 25). If you have a current NDIS plan, it may be possible to allocate funding to cover all or part of the assessment costs. Please consult with your support coordinator to determine whether this is possible for you.

What does the assessment process involve?

Your psychologist will gather information through questionnaires and behaviour rating scales, completed by you and someone who knows you well. For child assessments, questionnaires will be completed by the child’s parent/carer and teacher. The assessment appointment is a clinical interview to fully understand symptoms, presentations and lived experiences. Once the report is completed, your psychologist will provide an overview of the assessment results and recommendations in a feedback session.

Can the assessment be completed by telehealth?

Whether the assessment can be completed by telehealth depends on the age of the client and the type of assessment. Face-to-face assessments are offered at our clinics in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.

Age of Client	Type of Assessment	Telehealth?
18+	ADHD or Autism	Yes
6-18 years	Autism	Face-to-face only
12-18 years	ADHD	Yes
6-12 years	ADHD	Face-to-face only

Is there a waitlist?

There is a 1-2 week waitlist for adult assessments. We currently do not offer child assessments via telehealth, however please contact us to discuss your needs and we may be able to see your child at our in-person clinic or they may be placed on a waitlist.

Do you assess children as well as adults?

Yes. We assess children from 6 years of age, adolescents and adults. Availability of telehealth depends on age and assessment type (see above).

What sort of questions will I be asked?

Your psychologist will ask you about your current concerns as well as your lived experiences of ADHD or Autistic traits from childhood through to adulthood. Your psychologist will also ask about your early developmental history, family history, medical history, schooling and employment. This is to ensure they provide a comprehensive assessment and rule out other possible causes of your concerns.

Why does assessment involve someone from my childhood?

Autism and ADHD are neurodevelopmental conditions and understanding childhood history supports accurate assessment. As part of the assessment, we ask for information about your experiences from the perspective of someone who knew you in childhood.

Why should I complete a psychological assessment rather than seeing a psychiatrist?

Completing a psychological assessment provides you with a comprehensive, neuro-affirming psychological report that answers your diagnostic questions as well as screens for other commonly co-occurring mental health disorders. The assessment process follows Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines, ensuring your concerns are comprehensively explored. Your report includes personalised recommendations and options for support, regardless of whether you receive a diagnosis.

Will I need to see a psychiatrist if I am seeking medication?

Yes, you will need to consult a psychiatrist to discuss medication treatment options. Clinical Psychologists in Australia with relevant training can diagnose neurodevelopmental disorders and provide recommendations for further support, however, they do not prescribe medication.

Can I access psychology therapy following my assessment?

Yes, if you would like to access psychological support following your assessment, your psychologist can internally refer you to one of our clinicians at AccessPsych.

Will I be able to access NDIS funding or other support if I receive a diagnosis?

Your psychological report can be provided to support your application for NDIS funding, however, we are unable to guarantee the outcome and whether funding will be received, as this is determined by the NDIS.

What tools do you use?

We use validated, evidence‑based tools and clinical interviews (e.g., DIVA‑5, MIGADAS-2), plus multi‑informant questionnaires and functional measures where appropriate.

Frequently asked questions about ADHD

What is ADHD?

AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is currently classed as a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterised by difficulties with attention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity which adversely affect a person’s functioning in important areas of life such as psychological wellbeing, education/employment, socialising and relationships. ADHD tends to run in families.

ADHD is increasingly understood as different brain type (neurotype) characterised by lifelong differences in attentional, emotional, cognitive, behavioural regulation, and time perception, underpinned by a brain motivated by novelty, interest and urgency. These traits can adversely influence a person’s activities and participation in a majority non-ADHD society, but also lead to areas of strength including a greater ability to hyperfocus and acquire skills and knowledge in areas of interest more quickly than non-ADHD individuals.

How do we assess ADHD?

There are Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) developed by AADPA. Access Psych’s assessment process follows these guidelines, including:

Comprehensive assessment including a clinical interview involving administration of the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in adults (DIVA-5) or the Young DIVA-5
Screeners and questionnaires completed by you and another person (e.g., spouse, parent, teacher)
Analysis of assessment findings to determine if a person meets diagnostic criteria for ADHD, as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM–5–TR)

Who can diagnose ADHD in adults?

Any suitably qualified and trained mental health clinician can diagnose ADHD. This can include psychologists, psychiatrists, and mental health social workers. Provisional psychologists can also conduct assessments and diagnose ADHD under supervision.

Access Psych ensures that all its clinicians have undertaken suitable training in ADHD assessment and receive regular supervision.

What are the signs or symptoms of ADHD in adults?

ADHD is currently assessed against a set of diagnostic criteria laid out within the DSM-5-TR, which defines the behavioural symptoms of attentional difficulties, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. There are inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or combined presentations of ADHD, and categorisation of severity based on a number of symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is suggested when these traits negatively impact functioning in several areas including psychological, social, academic, occupational, and activities of daily living and leisure.

However, our understanding of ADHD is advancing towards conceiving it as a different brain type (neurotype). This neuroaffirming model includes appreciation of ADHD as a neurotype characterised by lifelong differences in attentional, emotional, cognitive, behavioural regulation, and time perception, underpinned by a brain motivated by novelty, interest and urgency. These differences in self-regulation may lead to significant mental health challenges, distress, or challenges in daily life and relationships because of the expectations on the person to behave in non-ADHD ways, not because there is anything inherently wrong with the person.

Are the symptoms of ADHD different for women?

ADHD has typically been underdiagnosed in women, because the diagnostic criteria were developed based on a classic, male presentation of ADHD, and because it was incorrectly believed to affect more men than women.

Women may present with a more inattentive presentation of ADHD, which can be less obvious to other people. They may also be better at ‘masking’ – that is hiding their ADHD traits to appear non-ADHD. However, masking often leads to exhaustion, burn out and mental health challenges, and many ADHD people are now seeking out communities of other ADHD people where they can safely unmask and practice being their authentic selves.

Clinicians are getting better at identifying ADHD in women, and non-binary people.

Why is it important to be tested for ADHD?

Undiagnosed ADHD is often a source of significant trauma, substance use and poor mental health, and people may feel defective in some way because of their struggles.

Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can lead to feelings of relief as well as validation and increased self-compassion, as well as access to treatment to ease symptoms, which may include psychological therapy or medication. Receiving diagnosis later in life can also precipitate a range of other emotions including grief and other complicated feelings related to how life may have been different if they had received a diagnosis earlier.

There are more public figures who have spoken openly about having ADHD, which means that people have role models to look up to such as Chloe Hayden, an Australian Autistic and ADHD actor and advocate.

How do you treat ADHD in adults?

There are Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for ADHD developed by AADPA. Some people choose to access a psychiatrist to explore whether medication will help ease their symptoms.

Frequently asked questions about Autism

What is Autism?

Autism is a different brain type that is more motivated by interest and information gathering/sharing than a non-Autistic brain. This is underpinned by differences in neural connectivity (hyperconnectivity in some brain areas, and hypoconnectivity in other areas) which can also lead to more/less sensory sensitivity, greater need for routine and/or repetitive movements to self-regulate, and deeper focus on a smaller range of interest compared to a non-Autistic brain, which can lead to experiences of intense joy.

Some Autistic people have a stronger drive for autonomy and fairness than non-Autistic people. Autism tends to run in families.

How do we assess Autism?

There are Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) developed by AADPA.

Access Psych’s assessment process follows these guidelines, including:

Comprehensive assessment including a clinical interview involving administration of the Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum (MIGDAS)
Comprehensive assessment including a clinical interview involving administration of the Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum (MIGDAS)
Comprehensive assessment including a clinical interview involving administration of the Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum (MIGDAS)

Who can diagnose Autism in adults?

Any suitably qualified and trained mental health clinician can diagnose Autism. This can include psychologists, psychiatrists, and mental health social workers. Provisional psychologists can also conduct assessments and diagnose Autism under supervision.

Access Psych ensures that all its clinicians have undertaken suitable training in Autism assessment and receive regular supervision.

What are the signs or symptoms of Autism in adults?

Current understanding of Autism recognises that it is a different brain type (neurotype), not a disorder, and that there are a wide range of different presentations of Autism. This has led to the saying “If you know one person with Autism, you know one person with Autism.”

Currently, Autism is assessed against a medical model, the DSM-5-TR, which defines the symptoms of Autism as lifelong, impactful difficulties in social reciprocity, non-verbal communication, as well as developing, sustaining, and understanding relationships, with repetitive behaviours, rigidity, narrow range of interests and/or sensory hyper- or hypo-sensitivity.

This has led to stigma, discrimination, misunderstanding, and under recognition of Autistic individuals, because many Autistic people do not identify with this description of their identities.

A more neuroaffirming view of Autism is that it is a neurotype characterised by lifelong differences (not deficits) in social communication, prioritising of verbal over non-verbal communication, greater ease in relationships with other Autistic people, as well as sensory differences, deep or special interests (SPINs), and use of routines and /or repetitive movements “stims” to self-regulate.

These differences may lead to significant mental health challenges, distress, or challenges in daily life because of the expectations on the person to behave

Are the symptoms of Autism different for women?

Autism has typically been underdiagnosed in women, because the diagnostic criteria were developed based on a classic, male presentation of Autism, and because it was incorrectly believed to affect more men than women.

Women may also be better at ‘masking’ – that is hiding their Autistic traits to appear non-Autistic. However, masking often leads to exhaustion, burn out and mental health challenges, and many Autistic people are now seeking out communities of other Autistic people where they can safely unmask and practice being their authentic selves.

Clinicians are getting better at identifying Autism in women and non-binary people. Diversity in gender identity and sexuality is known to occur at higher rates in Autistic people compared to non-Autistic people.

Why is it important to be tested for Autism?

Undiagnosed neurodivergence is often a source of significant trauma and poor mental health for Autistic people, who may feel defective in some way because of their struggles.

Receiving an Autism diagnosis can lead to feelings of relief as well as validation and increased self-compassion, but many Autistic people receiving a diagnosis later in life also experience a range of other emotions including grief and other complicated feelings related to how life may have been different if they had received a diagnosis earlier.

There are more public figures who have spoken openly about Autism, which means that Autistic people have role models to look up to, such as Chloe Hayden, an Australian Autistic and ADHD actor and advocate.

What is the Autism spectrum?

The term Autism Spectrum or Autism Spectrum Disorder has typically been used to refer to the range of functioning of Autistic people. This is now thought of in terms of the range of support needs of Autistic People.

It has also been misunderstood and taken to mean that “everyone is somewhere on the spectrum/ we’re all a little bit Autistic” which is not accurate. As awareness of Autism grows, many people now think about Autism beyond even a spectrum, to something akin to a colour wheel, as a way of attempting to capture the uniqueness of every Autistic person’s experience.

How do you treat Autism in adults?

Autism is not a disorder; therefore, it is not a condition to be treated. However, Autistic people often require support and accommodations to enable them to embrace their identity and live well in a non-Autistic world.

People with Autism often also have other types of neurodivergence such as ADHD and/or giftedness as well as physical and mental health conditions for which they need support.

Frequently asked questions about Cognitive Assessments

What is a cognitive assessment?

A cognitive assessment at Access Psych involves completing a standardised test that measures intellectual ability (IQ) and cognitive functioning skills, such as short-term memory, reasoning and problem-solving. The test is tailored for children, adolescents and adults.

Around two weeks after your cognitive assessment appointment, you will attend a feedback session with your psychologist and will receive a written psychological report. The report details your results, including strengths, differences and any recommendations as identified throughout the assessment process.

Is a cognitive assessment an IQ test?

Yes, the Wechsler scales administered as part of our cognitive assessments are widely recognised as the gold-standard instrument for individually administered intelligence quotient (IQ) tests. The results provide a unique estimate of intellectual abilities and overall cognitive functioning.

What is involved in a cognitive assessment?

A cognitive assessment involves attending a 2-hour face-to-face appointment to complete a Wechsler intelligence scale (either the WISC-V for children 6-16 years, or the WAIS-IV for individuals aged 16-90 years). Some of the tasks are completed on an iPad, others involve using a pencil and paper. Cognitive assessments must be completed face-to-face at our clinics in Sydney, Adelaide or Perth.

As part of the assessment, you may also be asked to complete a measure of adaptive functioning. This evaluates daily living skills and provides a clear understanding of areas where assistance may be beneficial, which can assist in identifying and accessing appropriate supports and services. This information is gathered via an online questionnaire, the Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System- Third Edition (ABAS-3).

Why is it important to complete a cognitive assessment?

Cognitive assessments provide a measure of an individual’s intellectual capabilities, which provide useful information that can guide educational planning and support, and help to identify giftedness or developmental needs, such as Intellectual Developmental Disorder.

Can cognitive assessments be completed via telehealth?

No, cognitive assessments must be completed face-to-face at our Sydney, Perth or Adelaide clinics.

What age range can complete a cognitive assessment?

Children aged 6 years up to adults aged 90 years 11 months can complete a cognitive assessment.

Book an Autism, ADHD or Cognitive Assessment today.

Or, for further information:

Please complete our
online enquiry form

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Please call us on 1800 APSYCH (1800 277 924)
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Autism, ADHD and Cognitive Assessments

Who We Assess and How

Assessment Type

Age Group

Telehealth Available?