Understanding ADHD Assessments for Adults

Many adults reach a point where they begin wondering whether Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may help explain lifelong experiences related to attention, organisation, emotional regulation, overwhelm, forgetfulness, motivation, impulsivity, or burnout.
Some people seek an assessment after:

• Their child is diagnosed with ADHD
• Learning more about neurodiversity
• Ongoing difficulties with organisation or focus
• Burnout or overwhelm
• Difficulties managing work, study, relationships, or daily life
• Previous mental health supports not fully explaining their experiences

Many adults seek an ADHD assessment to better understand whether they meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis and to explore supports that may help in daily life.

At Belong Health, adult ADHD assessments are completed by a Clinical Psychologist using a comprehensive, evidence-based approach designed to better understand a person’s strengths, experiences, support needs, and functional impact.

We support adults across Mandurah, Rockingham, Peel Region, and surrounding areas, with telehealth available across Western Australia.

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If you’re unsure whether an assessment is the right next step, we offer a Free 20-minute Meet & Greet call with our Clinical Psychologist.

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What Is an Adult ADHD Assessment?

An adult ADHD assessment explores whether a person meets diagnostic criteria for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
The assessment process may include:

• Clinical interviews
• Developmental and educational history
• Questionnaires and screening tools
• Exploration of attention, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and daily functioning
• Functional impact across work, study, relationships, and daily life
• Cognitive assessment where appropriate
• Clinical interpretation and report writing

Assessments are tailored to the individual and consider the person’s unique experiences and presentation.

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What Can ADHD Look Like in Adults?

ADHD presents differently from person to person.

Some adults may experience:

• Difficulties with focus or concentration
• Forgetfulness or losing track of tasks
• Chronic overwhelm or mental fatigue
• Difficulties starting or completing tasks
• Emotional regulation challenges
• Restlessness or racing thoughts
• Difficulties with organisation, time management, or planning
• Burnout from constantly trying to keep up with expectations

Some adults may appear highly capable externally while privately struggling with exhaustion, overwhelm, or executive functioning challenges.

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Late-Diagnosed ADHD in Adults

Some adults are not identified until later in life.

This can be especially common in:

• Women
• Inattentive ADHD presentations
• Individuals who developed strong coping or masking strategies
• People whose difficulties were misunderstood as anxiety, stress, laziness, or personality traits

For many adults, receiving an ADHD diagnosis can provide greater understanding, validation, and direction for supports moving forward.

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ADHD, Autism & Overlapping Experiences

ADHD and autism can overlap, and some adults may experience traits of both.

Areas of overlap can include:

• Sensory processing differences
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• Executive functioning challenges
• Burnout and overwhelm
• Communication or social differences

A comprehensive assessment helps explore these experiences in more detail.

Learn more about adult autism assessments

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Executive Functioning & Daily Life

Executive functioning refers to the brain-based skills involved in:

• Planning and organisation
• Starting and completing tasks
• Managing time
• Emotional regulation
• Working memory
• Flexible thinking

For some adults with ADHD, executive functioning differences can significantly impact daily life, work, study, routines, relationships, and self-confidence.

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What Does the Assessment Process Involve?

The process may include:

• Initial information gathering
• Clinical interviews
• Questionnaires and assessment tools
• Exploration of developmental and life history
• Functional impact assessment
• Clinical interpretation
• Comprehensive report and feedback session

Where appropriate, input from family members or significant others may also be considered.

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Who Might Consider an Adult ADHD Assessment?

You may consider assessment if you:

• Frequently feel overwhelmed or mentally exhausted
• Struggle with organisation or time management
• Have ongoing difficulties with attention or focus
• Find it difficult to start or complete tasks
• Experience emotional dysregulation or impulsivity
• Have wondered whether ADHD may explain lifelong experiences

Assessment is not about labelling a person, it is about understanding experiences and identifying supports that may help.

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What Can an Adult ADHD Assessment Report Be Used For?

Assessment reports may assist with:

• Personal understanding and self-awareness
• Workplace or study accommodations
• Therapy planning and supports
• Understanding executive functioning challenges
• Communication with other professionals

Reports support understanding and planning, but do not guarantee medication access, workplace accommodations, NDIS eligibility, or other outcomes.

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Can a Clinical Psychologist Diagnose ADHD?

Clinical Psychologists are qualified to assess ADHD using evidence-based assessment processes.

However, medication decisions and prescribing require assessment and management by a Psychiatrist, Paediatrician, or other appropriately qualified medical professional.

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Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach

At Belong Health, we aim to provide assessments in a respectful, strengths-based, and neurodiversity-affirming way.
The goal of assessment is not to “fix” a person, but to better understand:

• Strengths
• Differences
• Support needs
• Environmental factors
• Strategies that may improve participation and wellbeing

We recognise that language preferences differ, and some people prefer identity-first language while others prefer person-first language.

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Not Sure Whether a Comprehensive Adult ADHD Assessment Is the Right Next Step?

Belong Health also offers an Adult ADHD Screening Assessment with our Clinical Psychologist for adults who may be experiencing difficulties with attention, concentration, organisation, impulsivity, or executive functioning.

Many adults seek assessment later in life after recognising longstanding patterns that may have previously gone unnoticed or been misunderstood.

This screening process is designed to help identify whether ADHD-related traits may be present and whether a more comprehensive Adult ADHD assessment may be appropriate.
Adults may seek screening due to:
• Difficulty sustaining attention or focus
• Chronic disorganisation or overwhelm
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• Executive functioning challenges
• Restlessness or impulsivity
• Workplace or study difficulties
• Burnout or mental fatigue
• A child or family member receiving an ADHD diagnosis

Adult ADHD Screening Assessment
The Adult ADHD Screening Assessment may include:
• Learning and Behaviour Questionnaire
• Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System – Third Edition (ABAS-3)
• Conners-4 Questionnaires where appropriate
• Clinical review and interpretation by the Clinical Psychologist

The screening process explores:
• Attention and concentration
• Executive functioning
• Impulsivity and regulation
• Daily functioning and adaptive skills
• Behavioural and emotional patterns
• ADHD-related traits and characteristics

Important Information About Screening Assessments
• Screening assessments are not designed to replace a comprehensive Adult ADHD assessment
• Screening assessments may help identify whether further assessment is recommended
• A screening assessment alone may not be sufficient for formal diagnosis, workplace adjustments, medication pathways, or other formal documentation requirements
• Recommendations for next steps will be provided following review of the screening results


Who May Benefit From an Adult ADHD Screening Assessment?
An Adult ADHD Screening Assessment may be helpful for adults who:
• Have difficulty with focus or concentration
• Struggle with organisation or task completion
• Experience overwhelm in daily life
• Have longstanding executive functioning difficulties
• Experience impulsivity or emotional regulation challenges
• Have previously received anxiety or mental health diagnoses but feel there may be an underlying neurodevelopmental explanation
• Want guidance regarding whether a comprehensive Adult ADHD assessment may be appropriate

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Fees & Funding
We aim to provide clear and transparent information so families can plan assessments with confidence.

ADHD Screening
3 hours total
Total: $596.25

Assessment Fees
All assessments include clinical interviews, standardised assessments, scoring, interpretation, a comprehensive written report, and a feedback session.

ADHD Assessment
8 hours total
Total: $1,590

Combined ADHD & Autism Assessment
20 hours total
Total: $3,690

Medicare (Mental Health Treatment Plan)
If you have a referral from your GP under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual psychology sessions per calendar year.

Clinical Psychologist rebate: approximately $136.35 per session

How Medicare applies to assessments
Medicare rebates apply to eligible face-to-face sessions that involve:
• Assessment sessions
• Clinical interviews
• Feedback and recommendations

​Medicare does not fund assessments as a packaged service. Rebates are applied per session attended.
Time spent on scoring, interpretation, and report writing is included in the overall fee but is not claimable through Medicare.

​Autism-Specific Medicare Pathway (Under 13)
For children under 13, a paediatrician or psychiatrist may refer for assessment of a complex neurodevelopmental condition (including autism).
This may allow access to:
• Up to 4 allied health assessment sessions
• Rebates of approximately $84–$150 per session
Eligibility depends on specialist referral.

Centrelink (Disability Support Pension – DSP)

A psychology assessment may be used as supporting medical evidence for Centrelink Disability Support Pension (DSP) applications.
Centrelink requires documentation from qualified health professionals, which can include a Clinical Psychologist. Our assessment reports include detailed information about:
• Assessment results
• Clinical interpretation
• Functional impact in daily life
• Recommendations

This information may assist in supporting a DSP application.

​Important to know:
• A psychology assessment is one part of the overall evidence required
• Centrelink assesses applications based on specific criteria, including diagnosis, functional impact, and ability to work
• Additional documentation (e.g. GP or specialist reports) is usually required
• DSP approval is not guaranteed based on one report alone

​DSP is available for individuals aged 16 years and over. For children under 16, families may instead access supports through the NDIS or carer payments.

​Private Health Insurance
Depending on your extras cover, you may be eligible for psychology rebates.

Typical rebates range from:
• $50-$120 per session

Please note:
• Medicare and private health rebates cannot be claimed for the same session
• Some families choose to use Medicare rebates first, then private health for additional sessions

​We recommend checking directly with your insurer for details of your cover.

NDIS
The NDIS does not fund diagnostic assessments.
However, funding may be used for:
• Functional assessments
• Therapy supports
Diagnosis is typically completed outside of NDIS funding.

Payment Information
To support a smooth assessment process:
• Payment is required on the day of each session
• Progression to the next stage occurs once previous sessions are finalised

​We will outline the assessment schedule in advance so you know what to expect.

Planning Your Costs
Families often use a combination of:
• Medicare rebates
• Private health rebates
• Private payment

We are happy to talk this through with you so you can choose an approach that suits your family.

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Timeframes

Timeframes vary depending on complexity and return of questionnaires.

Typical timeframe:
• ADHD Assessment: approximately 1-2 weeks from assessment to feedback

More complex presentations may take longer.

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Important Information

• Diagnosis is made only where criteria are met
• Information is gathered across multiple settings 
• Assessments are tailored to the individual
• Reports support understanding and planning but do not guarantee outcomes

Not Sure if This May Be ADHD?

Difficulties with attention, organisation, emotional regulation, overwhelm, or motivation can show up in many different ways. It is not always clear whether these experiences relate to ADHD, anxiety, burnout, autism, trauma, learning differences, or another area of support.

Some adults may:

• Feel constantly mentally overloaded
• Struggle to stay organised or manage routines
• Experience chronic procrastination or overwhelm
• Have difficulty focusing unless highly interested
• Feel emotionally reactive or exhausted
• Notice patterns of burnout or shutdown

These experiences can overlap with autism, anxiety, executive functioning difficulties, and sensory processing differences. A comprehensive assessment can help explore these patterns and provide clearer guidance.

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We Can Help You Work This Out

If you are unsure whether an adult ADHD assessment is the right next step, you do not need to figure it out alone.
Our team can:

• Talk through your concerns
  
• Help identify patterns in your experiences
  
• Explain possible assessment pathways
  
• Recommend the most appropriate next step
  
• Discuss whether ADHD, autism, or another assessment may be suitable
  

Speak with our team about your concerns
Our team is here to help call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us an email here

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Why Do Some Adults Choose a Comprehensive ADHD Assessment?

Adults seek ADHD assessments for different reasons, and assessment pathways can vary between providers.
Some people may initially speak with a GP or Psychiatrist, while others choose a comprehensive assessment completed by a Clinical Psychologist.

A comprehensive psychological assessment may provide:

• A detailed exploration of attention, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and daily life impacts
• Consideration of overlapping experiences such as anxiety, autism, burnout, sensory processing, or learning differences
• Functional recommendations and support planning
• A comprehensive written report that may assist with workplace, study, therapy, or support needs

Some adults are seeking:

• Greater self-understanding
• Clarity around lifelong experiences
• Recommendations and strategies
• Formal documentation and detailed assessment findings

Medication discussions and prescribing require assessment and management by a Psychiatrist or other appropriately qualified medical professional.

​Our team can help guide you through different assessment pathways and discuss what may be most appropriate for your situation.

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Related Therapy Supports

Some adults may also explore:

• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Pathology
• Counselling
• Positive Behaviour Supports
• Emotional regulation strategies​

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Frequently Asked Questions - Adult ADHD Psychology Assessments

Can adults be diagnosed with ADHD?
Yes. Many people are diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood after recognising lifelong patterns related to attention, organisation, emotional regulation, impulsivity, or executive functioning.
Some adults begin exploring ADHD following workplace difficulties, burnout, university challenges, or after a child or family member receives an ADHD diagnosis.

What does ADHD look like in adults?
ADHD presents differently for every person. Adults may experience difficulties with focus, organisation, procrastination, emotional regulation, time management, overwhelm, restlessness, or executive functioning.

Can women have ADHD without knowing?
Yes. ADHD in women can sometimes be overlooked, particularly where masking or coping strategies are used. Some women experience internalised overwhelm, anxiety, burnout, emotional regulation difficulties, or chronic exhaustion related to executive functioning challenges.

Can adults have both ADHD and Autism?
Yes. ADHD and Autism can co-occur, and some adults experience traits related to both conditions. A combined Autism and ADHD assessment may sometimes be recommended where there are overlapping concerns.

What is the difference between an Adult ADHD Screening Assessment and a Comprehensive ADHD Assessment?
An Adult ADHD Screening Assessment is designed as an initial exploration process to identify whether ADHD-related traits may be present and whether further comprehensive assessment may be recommended.
A Comprehensive Adult ADHD Assessment involves significantly more clinical assessment, interviews, questionnaires, interpretation, functional exploration, and report writing.

What does the Adult ADHD Screening Assessment involve?
The screening assessment may include behaviour questionnaires, adaptive functioning assessments, clinical interviews, developmental history review, and interpretation by the Clinical Psychologist.
The process may explore attention, executive functioning, emotional regulation, organisation, and ADHD-related traits across daily life.

Can an Adult ADHD Screening Assessment diagnose ADHD?
No. Screening assessments are not designed to provide a formal diagnosis. They may help determine whether a comprehensive ADHD assessment is recommended.

What happens during an Adult ADHD assessment?
A comprehensive Adult ADHD assessment may include clinical interviews, developmental history review, questionnaires, exploration of executive functioning, emotional regulation, functional impact assessment, clinical interpretation, and report writing.

How do psychologists assess ADHD in adults?
Clinical Psychologists use evidence-based assessment processes that may include interviews, questionnaires, developmental history exploration, adaptive functioning measures, behavioural observation, and clinical interpretation.
Assessment focuses on patterns across different environments and areas of life rather than relying on a single test.

Can a Clinical Psychologist diagnose ADHD?
Yes. Clinical Psychologists are qualified to assess and diagnose ADHD using evidence-based assessment processes.

Do I need to see a psychiatrist or paediatrician as well?
Not always. However, if medication is being considered, adults require a psychiatrist because psychologists do not prescribe medication.

What happens after an Adult ADHD assessment?
Following the assessment, individuals typically receive a report, feedback session, and recommendations that may support work, study, therapy, emotional wellbeing, routines, or daily functioning.

Are Adult ADHD assessments covered by Medicare?
Medicare rebates may be available for eligible sessions depending on referral pathways and individual circumstances. Medicare generally does not cover report writing or scoring time.

Can adults access telehealth ADHD assessments?
Some components of Adult ADHD assessments may be completed via telehealth where clinically appropriate.

Can ADHD affect emotional regulation?
Yes. Many adults with ADHD experience emotional regulation difficulties, overwhelm, frustration tolerance difficulties, or challenges managing stress and daily demands.

Can ADHD impact work or study?
Yes. ADHD may affect concentration, organisation, time management, task completion, planning, memory, and executive functioning across workplace or study environments.

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Areas We Service ​
​Our Clinical Psychologist based in Rockingham, Western Australia, provides Psychology Assessments to clients across the South of Perth to Mandurah suburbs and surrounding areas.

Anketell
Atwell
Baldivis
Banjup
Barragup
Bertram
Bibra Lake
Bouvard
Calista
Casuarina
Clifton
Cockburn Central
Coogee

Coolbellup
Cooloongup
Dawesville
Dudley Park
East Rockingham
Erskine
Falcon
Furnissdale
Garden Island
Golden Bay
Greenfields
Halls Head
Hamel

Hamilton Hill
Hammond Park
Herron
Hope Valley
Hopeland
Jandakot
Karnup
Keralup
Kwinana Beach
Kwinana Town Centre
Lakelands
Leda

Madora Bay
Mandogalup
Mandurah
Meadow Springs
Medina
Nambeelup
Naval Base
North Coogee
North Dandalup
Oakford
Orelia
Parklands
Parmelia

Peron
Pinjarra
Port Kennedy
Postans
Ravenswood
Rockingham
Safety Bay
San Remo
Secret Harbour
Serpentine
Shoalwater
Silver Sands
Singleton

South Lake
South Yunderup
Spearwood
Stake Hill
Success
The Spectacles
Wandi
Wannanup
Warnbro
Wattleup
Wellard
West Pinjarra
Yangebup

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 To secure your spot, please fill out the our enquiry form or phone us ​

Enquire Now

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Belong Health's Resource Hub
To further support your child's development, visit our Resource Hub for additional activities, tips, and tools tailored for various needs and diagnoses.
Below are our Child Psychology Free Resources

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Home Therapy Packs
At Belong Health, we are dedicated to providing tailored support that meets the unique needs of each child. Developed by our Paediatric Occupational Therapists, our Home Therapy Packs are specifically designed to align with NDIS goals, offering flexible, practical, and engaging activities for children at home.
To further enhance your approach, consider our Home Therapy Packs, specifically designed to support communication development at home.

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