Wondering whether ADHD could be part of the picture?
You may have spent years wondering why certain things seem harder than they should. Difficulty concentrating, procrastination, forgetfulness, disorganisation, trouble starting or finishing tasks, feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities, restlessness or impulsivity can all have a significant impact on adult life.
ADHD can present differently from person to person, and many adults reach adulthood without ever having received an assessment. An adult ADHD assessment provides an opportunity to step back and look at the bigger picture — your current difficulties, childhood development, functioning across different areas of life, and whether ADHD provides a clinically meaningful explanation for the difficulties you are experiencing.
ADHD Assessment with Dr John Ahern
Dr John Ahern is the founder of Insight Psychology and provides adult ADHD assessment in Newtown, Sydney. His approach is thorough, warm and individualised — the aim is to understand you as a whole person, rather than simply checking whether you meet a particular number of symptoms.
A Thorough, Individualised ADHD Assessment
An ADHD diagnosis is not made from a questionnaire alone. A proper adult ADHD assessment combines clinical interviews, a structured ADHD diagnostic interview, standardised screening measures, and information about your developmental history and current functioning.
The aim is to understand you as a whole person, rather than simply checking whether you meet a particular number of symptoms.
What Is Included in an Adult ADHD Assessment?
Clinical interview
A detailed interview exploring your current concerns, history and functioning, including:
DIVA-5 structured assessment
The DIVA-5 is a structured clinical interview examining ADHD symptoms in both childhood and adulthood, including how symptoms have affected everyday functioning.
Standardised questionnaires
You will complete appropriate ADHD screening and symptom measures. These are considered alongside the clinical interview and other information, rather than being used as a stand-alone diagnostic test.
Developmental & childhood history
Because ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, understanding your childhood matters. Where available and clinically appropriate, useful information may include:
- childhood or school reports
- previous psychological or medical assessments
- information from parents or family
- information from a partner or someone who knows you well
You don't necessarily need childhood records or a family member available — the information you do have forms part of the overall assessment.
Consideration of other explanations
Several psychological, medical, developmental and situational factors can affect attention, concentration, motivation and organisation. Your assessment considers whether ADHD is a suitable explanation, as well as relevant co-occurring or alternative factors that may need further consideration.
What Happens During the ADHD Assessment?
The assessment is completed across two clinical appointments, plus dedicated professional time to review, integrate and write up the findings.
Initial appointment
A detailed clinical interview to understand what has led you here, your current difficulties, your developmental history and daily impact. You're given questionnaires to complete.
ADHD assessment appointment
The structured ADHD assessment, including the DIVA-5, plus a chance to clarify information from the first appointment and your questionnaire results.
Clinical review & formulation
Your history, developmental information, questionnaire results and any collateral are reviewed and integrated, and weighed against the diagnostic criteria.
Feedback & written report
We discuss the outcome and what it means, and you receive a concise written diagnostic report summarising the findings, outcome and recommendations.
A Concise Report for Your GP or Psychiatrist
Following the assessment, you receive a concise written diagnostic report summarising the process, relevant clinical findings, outcome and recommendations.
With your consent, this report can be provided to your GP or psychiatrist to support further discussion, treatment planning and consideration of appropriate next steps. It's designed to give useful clinical information without unnecessary jargon or an excessively lengthy document.
What Happens After an ADHD Diagnosis?
An ADHD diagnosis can provide a framework for understanding longstanding patterns, but the diagnosis itself is only one part of the process. Depending on your circumstances, next steps may include discussing medication options with your GP or psychiatrist, considering psychological support, and developing practical strategies around:
Psychological support may also be helpful when ADHD occurs alongside anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem or other psychological difficulties.
If you're looking for ongoing psychological support rather than an assessment, you can also read about ADHD and daily functioning.
Do I Need an IQ or Cognitive Assessment?
No, not routinely. Formal IQ or cognitive testing is not included in the standard adult ADHD assessment. If the assessment identifies concerns about intellectual functioning, learning difficulties or another cognitive issue, additional assessment may be recommended — and this would be discussed with you first.
How Much Does an Adult ADHD Assessment Cost?
The assessment fee includes:
- Two clinical assessment appointments
- Comprehensive clinical interview
- DIVA-5 structured ADHD assessment
- Relevant standardised questionnaires
- Developmental history
- Consideration of relevant collateral information
- Clinical formulation & diagnostic assessment
- Feedback regarding the outcome
- Concise written diagnostic report
- Recommendations for next steps
The assessment involves clinical work both during and between appointments, including review of the information provided, clinical formulation and preparation of your written report. It does not guarantee a particular diagnosis or treatment recommendation — the outcome is based on the information available and the clinical assessment as a whole. If additional assessment is clinically indicated, this will be discussed with you before proceeding.
Who Is an Adult ADHD Assessment For?
This service is intended for adults experiencing ongoing difficulties with attention, organisation, impulsivity, restlessness, procrastination or related areas of functioning, who would like a professional assessment of whether ADHD may be contributing.
An initial discussion can help determine whether an ADHD-focused assessment is appropriate for your circumstances. You can book a free 15-minute intro call to talk it through first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an ADHD diagnosis as an adult?
Yes. ADHD can be assessed and diagnosed in adulthood when the relevant diagnostic criteria are met and the clinical evidence supports the diagnosis.
Do I need my parents to attend?
Not necessarily. Information from parents or other people who knew you during childhood can be helpful where available, but the assessment can consider other developmental evidence when parental collateral is unavailable.
Do I need my old school reports?
No. School reports can provide useful developmental evidence, but they are not essential in every assessment.
Can my GP use the report?
Yes. With your consent, the concise report can be provided to your GP or psychiatrist to support further discussion and treatment planning.
Will you prescribe ADHD medication?
No. Psychological assessment does not include prescribing medication. If ADHD is diagnosed, medication options can be discussed with your GP or psychiatrist, who can determine the appropriate medical pathway.
Is cognitive or IQ testing included?
No. Formal cognitive or IQ testing is not routinely required for an adult ADHD assessment and is not included in the standard $1,250 assessment.
How long does the assessment take?
The assessment is completed across two clinical appointments, with additional professional time spent reviewing information, integrating findings and preparing the written report.
Is the ADHD assessment covered by Medicare?
The assessment is offered as a private assessment service. Medicare rebates and eligibility depend on the specific service and referral circumstances. Please contact the practice if you would like to discuss fees and referral requirements before booking.
Book an Adult ADHD Assessment in Sydney
If you're considering an adult ADHD assessment and would like to discuss whether it's appropriate for you, you can book an initial conversation about your concerns and the assessment process.
Adult ADHD Assessment: $1,250 · Insight Psychology, Newtown, Sydney
Email: insight-psychology@outlook.com | Phone: 0410 009 554
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6/134–140 King Street, Newtown, NSW 2042 · Telehealth available Australia-wide
This page is general information only and is not a substitute for personalised psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. An adult ADHD assessment does not guarantee a particular diagnosis or outcome; findings are based on the information available and the clinical assessment as a whole.
Insight Psychology is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. If you need urgent mental health support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.