Comprehensive Neuropsychological ADHD Assessment

Available across the lifespan: children (aged 6+), adolescents and adults.

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Neuropsychological Assessment

At ADHD WA our team of Psychologists use psychometric tests that measures cognitive functioning, including strengths and weaknesses, that assists in the identification of neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions. This comprehensive and specialised kind of assessment involves a combination of psychometric testing and psychological assessment and takes into consideration cognitive, medical, developmental, social, family, and mental health factors. A neuropsychological assessment can be used to reach a diagnosis of ADHD, or can diagnose or screen for other conditions. Even if you already have a diagnosis of ADHD, or do not meet diagnostic criteria but wish to understand your brain a bit more, assessment can still be useful.

The aim of neuropsychological assessment is to identify what your strengths and weaknesses, explain why they are happening, and think about how they are getting in your way to provide personalised recommendations and supports.

Can the Neuropsychological Assessment Diagnose other Conditions, or only ADHD?

There is a saying that “ADHD often brings a friend” as it is often common for someone with ADHD to have coexisting conditions.  
Should an individual meet diagnostic criteria for other conditions, within the scope of the clinician conducting their assessment, the clinician can make other diagnoses if the person meets criteria.

These may include:

  • Anxiety 
  • Depression
  • Specific learning disorders (i.e. dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia)
  • Intellectual Developmental Disability
  • Giftedness or high general cognitive functioning
  • Behavioural disorders, such as Oppositional Defiance Disorder or Pathological Demand Avoidance/Pervasive Drive for Autonomy
  • Cognitive impairment or dementia

Often during an ADHD assessment, other diagnoses may be identified, but a formal diagnosis may not be given. This usually occurs if there are traits or symptoms present, but not meeting diagnostic criteria, or further specialised assessment is recommended to confirm. Comprehensive assessment means that we can rule in or rule out these conditions, inform future assessment or treatment, and help develop personalised supports and strategies incorporating both ADHD and possible co-occurring conditions or traits. Examples might include:

  • Autism
  • Speech and language disorders
  • Fine or gross motor difficulties
  • Neurological conditions like epilepsy
  • Complex mental health conditions, such as eating disorders or personality disorders
  • Chronic pain

If you are wondering about other possible diagnoses, please discuss it with your assessor. They may adjust the tests they administer and give you additional questionnaires or interview questions to assess for co-occurring conditions.  

Our Assessment Process

Our comprehensive assessment takes place in-person over a five-hour period, including breaks in between each stage of the assessment. 

Prior to the assessment appointment: 

1. Complete online questionnaires and personal history form

2. Upload documents for your assessor to review
Documents include school reports, medical reports, and other relevant documents

During the assessment appointment:

3. Initial Clinical Interview  (approximately 60-90 min)
Please note: Individuals under 18 years require a legal guardian who can speak to their developmental history to attend the clinical interview.

4. Neuropsychological Assessment (approximately 3-4 hours)
Includes general intellectual functioning intellectual, academic skills, language, attention, executive functioning, memory, psychosocial functioning and adaptive functioning.

Please note: children aged 16 and under require a guardian aged 18 or over to remain onsite throughout the assessment. 

Following the assessment appointment:

5. Feedback Session approximately 2 – 4 weeks later (45 min)
During the feedback session, the clinician who conducted the assessment will go over the results in detail so that you have a chance to hear the findings and recommendations, and ask any questions. It is at the feedback stage that a formal diagnosis is made if the required diagnostic criteria are met, and a short summary of the findings will be provided so that you can initiate any discussions with your education provider/workplace and/or onward referrals.

6. A Comprehensive Written Report with results, feedback and recommendations will be sent to you, approximately 6 weeks after the feedback session.

Fees

The fee for a comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment at ADHD WA is $1,375 which includes the questionnaires, clinical interview, comprehensive assessment, analysis, feedback session, and a comprehensive report with recommendations. A deposit of $500 is taken two (2) weeks before your appointment which will go toward the full cost of the assessment and be deducted from the balance due on the day.

Unfortunately, Medicare does not provide a rebate for psychometric testing, therefore a Medicare rebate is unavailable.

Unfortunately, private health insurance providers do not provide rebates for psychometric testing.

Please note: you need to be a member of ADHD WA at the time of assessment.

Learn more about ADHD WA membership

Join Our Waitlist

Join our Assessment Waitlist

Please complete a short Assessment Waitlist Form and a member of the ADHD WA Team will contact you within a few months to offer an appointment as you rise to the top of the waitlist.  Completing this form does not commit you to an assessment.  We will contact you as soon as we can to offer you a suitable appointment date. 

Please note: Assessments at ADHD WA can only be booked for individuals aged 6 and above. You may wish to add your child to the waitlist earlier, but they cannot be assessed before their 6th birthday. 

We accept self-referrals and do not require a specialist referral (one less step). If you have a referral please send it through prior to the assessment.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy

We have a waiting list for appointments and appreciate as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment.

Deposit:
You will be contacted two (2) business weeks prior to your appointment to take a $500 deposit, which will go toward the full cost of the assessment and be deducted from the balance due on the day.

Cancellation:
Three (3) business days’ notice is required to cancel or change an appointment. Notice received less than 3 business days before the appointment will forfeit your $500 deposit. Please be advised we accept medical certificates should you have to cancel due to illness.

Please contact us on (08) 6255 8880 or email hello@adhdwa.org if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

Reminders:
A reminder email is sent approx. 2 weeks before your appointment, as well as text messages and follow up emails asking you to confirm your appointment and pay your deposit. This is intended to provide ample opportunity for you to reschedule if required.

Practitioners

Our Neuropsychological Assessments are conducted by Clinical Neuropsychologists, Clinical Neuropsychology Registrars and Provisional Psychologists. Provisional Psychologists conduct assessments under the supervision of Dr Andrew Sheridan (Board Approved Supervisor– Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist) and Dr Cayla Bellagarda (Board Approved Supervisor and Clinical Neuropsychologist.  

What are Clinical Neuropsychology Registrars?

Registrars are general Psychologists who are completing additional training in order to specialise in a particular psychology practice area. At ADHD WA, our Psychologists are specialising in Clinical Neuropsychology. 

Our Registrars are fully qualified to diagnose ADHD and provide comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessments. 

Click here to meet our Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can make an ADHD diagnosis?
As per the Australian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA) Clinical Practice Guideline:
Clinicians conducting ADHD diagnostic assessments should be registered, trained in diagnostic assessment techniques and experienced in ADHD diagnostic assessment specifically. Given that assessments should include an awareness of developmental, mental health and medical history, it is largely the province of paediatricians and psychiatrists, but adequately trained and experienced GPs and clinically experienced psychologists are in a position to make an ADHD diagnosis.
Can the assessment be done online? 

No, our assessments are only conducted in-person. Feedback appointments can be offered via telehealth; your clinician will discuss this with you on your assessment day while scheduling the follow up appointment.  

What documents do I need to provide for the assessment?

Once you receive an assessment appointment, the ADHD WA Team will send you a list of questionnaires and forms you need to complete before the assessment and in addition, what documents need to be provided. 

Documents often include: 

  • As many school reports as possible (if available)

  • Any reports of assessments you have completed. These may include reports from specialists such as a Paediatrician, Psychiatrist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Psychologist, or other
What do I need to bring with me on the assessment day?

Prior to your assessment appointment you will be sent a list of items to bring.

Optional items include:

  • Water bottle
  • Lunch
  • Snacks
  • Glasses and/or hearing aids
  • Sensory processing fidget tools

You will be welcome to use our kitchen area throughout your assessment which is equipped with tea and coffee facilities, a fridge, microwave and sink. 
 
There is a café and bakery a short drive away should you wish to purchase items during a break.  

Do I need a referral?

No, you do not require a referral for a Neuropsychological Assessment at ADHD WA. If you have a written referral from your GP or other medical professional, please forward it on to our team when offered an appointment.  

I’ve already had an assessment, can I be reassessed?

As a general rule, psychometric tests cannot be repeated within 12 months of the original assessment. After 12 months, you can choose to be re-assessed at any time.  

If you have previously undergone assessment elsewhere, please contact our reception team and share a copy of your assessment report. This includes School Psychologist assessments, OT assessments, Speech Therapy assessments, cognitive, academic or psychoeducational assessments, or Autism assessments.  

A member of the assessment team will review the tests that have already been administered based on your report, and make one of three recommendations:  

  1. Wait 12 months or more after your previous assessment before booking a new one 

  2. We can complete only the tests that were not completed in your previous assessment, and integrate this with existing data

  3. Our usual assessment can proceed as usual as either there are no overlapping tests, or testing occurred long enough ago
What if the assessment is too long for me/my child? OR I’m worried I/my child won’t be able to manage all 5 hours.

Our team has a lot of experience working with people of all different ages and backgrounds. We do acknowledge that five hours is a long time, and can be intimidating! We will work with you to make the assessment process as comfortable and effective as we can for you and/or your child. This is done on a case by case basis, and your clinician will “problem solve” it with you on the day to meet your needs while maintaining assessment accuracy and comprehensiveness. Some examples might include splitting the assessment over two days, having extra brain breaks, sitting on the floor or heading into another room to use a couch, turning the lights down, helping you read questionnaires, and so on. We always take lots of breaks and aim to make the assessment as relaxed and supportive as possible; the time can fly by! 

Can the Neuropsychological Assessment Diagnose other conditions, or only ADHD? 

There is a saying that “ADHD often brings a friend” as it is often common for someone with ADHD to have coexisting conditions.  


Should an individual meet diagnostic criteria for other conditions, within the scope of the clinician conducting their assessment, the clinician can make other diagnoses if the person meets criteria.

These may include:

  • Anxiety 
  • Depression
  • Specific learning disorders (i.e. dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia)
  • Intellectual Developmental Disability
  • Giftedness or high general cognitive functioning
  • Behavioural disorders, such as Oppositional Defiance Disorder or Pathological Demand Avoidance/Pervasive Drive for Autonomy
  • Cognitive impairment or dementia

Often during an ADHD assessment other diagnoses may be identified, but a formal diagnosis may not be given. This usually occurs if there are traits or symptoms present, but not meeting diagnostic criteria, or further specialised assessment is recommended to confirm. Comprehensive assessment means that we can rule in or rule out these conditions, inform future assessment or treatment, and help develop personalised supports and strategies incorporating both ADHD and possible co-occurring conditions or traits. Examples might include:

  • Autism
  • Speech and language
  • Fine or gross motor difficulties
  • Neurological conditions like epilepsy
  • Complex mental health conditions, such as eating disorders or personality disorders
  • Chronic pain

If you are wondering about other possible diagnoses, please discuss it with your assessor. They may adjust the tests they administer and give you additional questionnaires or interview questions to assess for co-occurring conditions.  

What are the different types of assessments for ADHD?

Psychometric Assessment:  Psychometric tests are a standard and scientific method used to measure individuals’ mental capabilities and behavioural style.  They are designed to tap into  particular cognitive (thinking) abilities (e.g. intelligence, or more generally memory, attention etc). Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessments can and do use psychometric tests as part of a broader battery. We use psychometric testing within our Neuropsychological Assessment. 

Psychological Assessment is a general term, not specific to what is included or who can administer it. Often this is interpreted to mean an assessment for treatment or diagnosis of mental health conditions. For example, assessments done by a clinical or general Psychologist to inform what kind of treatments they need to administer are typically called Psychological Assessments. 

Neuropsychological Assessment is the most comprehensive and specialised kind of assessment. It can only be conducted by a trained Neuropsychologist (or under the supervision of a Neuropsychologist), and involves a combination of psychometric testing and psychological assessment.

Psychiatric Assessment can occur after a person has already seen a Psychologist or Neuropsychologist, and is then seeking medication from a Psychiatrist, or may the first step in someone’s journey before seeking comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.

The main goal is to comprehensively screen for any physical or psychiatric comorbidities that can preclude a person from receiving certain medications. Some conditions (e.g. heart disease, drug use, certain mental illnesses) may make someone ineligible for some types of medication. 

Psychiatric assessments are different from Neuropsychological Assessments because they do not include a psychometric component, and they do assess both physical and mental health. There may be brief overlaps in ADHD questions asked in both assessments. However, this is usually done as a quicker part of proceedings to get an up to date overview of ADHD symptoms by Psychiatrists, and is complementary to the highly detailed Neuropsychological Assessment. 

Mental Health Assessment is done by a General Practitioner (GP). This usually involves a short questionnaire to determine whether further support is needed, such as a referral to a specialist and/or a Mental Healthcare Plan. 

How long does the assessment at ADHD WA take?

The assessment takes place over a five hour period with plenty of breaks in between. Assessments typically start at 10am and finish by 3pm. The time it takes each client varies based off their individual performance and occasionally it may take longer, or may finish earlier.

What do I need to bring with me?

Depending on your age, it is ideal to bring as many school reports as possible but the school age Year 4 through to Year 8 are the most useful. If you do not have a copy, you could try getting in touch with your school to see if they can provide an electronic copy to you. While having school reports is extremely helpful in the assessment process, many adults who completed schooling some time ago may no longer have access which is also fine.

Bring any reports or assessments you have have completed. These may include reports from specialists such as a paediatrician, psychiatrist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, psychologist, or other.

Bring a water bottle, lunch and snacks. There are cafés close by should you wish to purchase your lunch during a break.

Can I bring a support person with me?

Absolutely, in fact it may be beneficial to bring along a person who knows you well, in particular, knew you well as a child to participate in the initial interview.

If the client is a child under the age of 16, a parent or caregiver must remain for the entire duration of the assessment, and we appreciate your support in finding alternative care for other children or siblings.

Will I find out the results on the day?

No. Once you have completed the assessment on the day, your results will be analysed along with reviewing school reports, other reports, questionnaires completed on the day and depending on the age of the client, we may wish to ask a teacher that knows the client well to also complete a questionnaire.

Results of your assessment are usually given verbally at the 45 minute feedback session approximately two to three weeks later along with a brief summary page to take away with you.

Very occasionally the assessor will ask for a further test or questionnaire to be administered depending on the results so far. If this is required, your assessor will discuss this with you.

Can ADHD WA prescribe medication to treat ADHD?

No. The prescribing of stimulant medicines is restricted to medical practitioners who are:

  • Authorised in writing by the Department of Health;
  • In a category of approved specialist medical practitioner; and
  • Treating approved indications.

Medical practitioners approved to prescribe stimulant medication to treat ADHD include:

  • Paediatrician
  • Child and adolescent psychiatrist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Neurologist
  • Paediatric neurologist

With a shortage of ADHD treating specialists across WA, once you have booked your assessment with us, we recommend booking visiting your GP for a referral to an approved medical practitioner for 6-8 weeks after your assessment date. This allows time for you to receive your report and will help reduce a wait time to see a specialist once you receive the results of your neuropsychological assessment, should your assessment indicate ADHD.  Be sure to research and find an available specialist before visiting your GP for the referral.

Will I need to do further assessments after receiving an ADHD diagnosis?

Should an individual decide to pursue medical options for managing ADHD, they will need to see a Psychiatrist/Paediatrician.

Psychiatrists and Paediatricians are medical practitioners who may conduct further assessments before prescribing medication for ADHD, even if the individual already has an ADHD diagnosis.

Depending on the results of your assessment, your Psychologist may also recommend further assessment be considered (such as an Autism assessment with someone who specialises in this area, or review with a Speech Pathologist).