What to Expect
The Assessment Process
ADHD Assessments for Infants and Primary School Students:
At the initial clinical interview appointment with the parent/caregiver(s), the young person's developmental history and their symptoms and areas of concern (including onset, severity and functional impacts) are explored, and information about the young person’s strengths will also be obtained.
This may include requesting access to any relevant prior reports from other health professionals and educational reports for Sharon to review for identification of symptoms and functional impacts at different developmental stages. The class teacher will be asked to provide additional information and perspectives, through the completion of a standardised rating scale.
The assessment process involves three in clinic appointments (initial with just the parents/caregivers, psychometric assessment of the young person, and follow up feedback session with parents/caregivers).
Please note that a doctor's referral is not required for an ADHD assessment. NDIS funding may be available for children up to 9 years of age, under the early intervention approach.
Upon completion of the assessment process, a comprehensive written report will be provided. Depending upon the assessment findings, it may be necessary to obtain a referral to see a paediatrician or psychiatrist to explore whether medication therapy may be beneficial.
ADHD Assessments for Young People in High School up to 16 years:
The process for high school students is similar to that for younger students (see above), however the school is not asked to complete an assessment as the students have classes with multiple teachers. Depending upon the information obtained during the initial assessment appointment, it may be decided that a psychometric (in other words cognitive WISC V) assessment may not be indicated, and in this instance there will be two appointments instead of three, with a lower fee reflecting this.
Upon completion of the assessment process, a comprehensive written report will be provided. Depending upon the assessment findings, it may be necessary to obtain a referral to see a paediatrician or psychiatrist to explore whether medication therapy may be beneficial.
ADHD Assessments for Adults from age 17 years:
Adult assessment is conducted over two sessions, and includes clinical interviewing and completion of standardised assessment including the DIVA-5. Where possible, other informants (such as the parents and/or the partners of adult clients) will be asked to provide additional information and perspectives by completing formal standardised rating scales eg The Adult ADHD Symptom Rating Scale – Observer Version. Access to any relevant prior reports from other health professionals and educational reports (primary, secondary, tertiary) will be required where possible for Sharon to review for identification of symptoms and functional impacts at different developmental stages. This involves requesting adults provide their educational reports from childhood/adolescence if available.
Upon completion of the assessment process, a comprehensive written report will be provided. Depending upon the assessment findings, it may be necessary to obtain a referral to see a psychiatrist to explore whether medication therapy may be beneficial.
Cognitive Assessments for Young People aged 6 to 16 years:
Stand alone cognitive assessments of young people aged 6 years to 16 years are conducted using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V). The WISC-V assesses cognitive abilities and intellectual functioning, providing insights into the young person's strengths and weaknesses across various domains, including language, memory and problem solving.
This information is helpful in understanding a child's learning profile, which can help in educational planning, identifying potential learning disabilities or cognitive disorders, developing individualised learning plans, or indicate the need for interventions (such as speech pathology). The WISC-V is also useful in identifying giftedness in students.
Cognitive assessments are conducted over two sessions: during the first (up to two hours), the assessment will take place. A parent or care giver can be present throughout, unless there is a reason (eg high distractibility) for them to remain in the waiting room. In the second session, the assessment report will be provided and discussed with the parent/caregiver(s). The young person is not required to be present at this appointment.
The fee includes the assessment, a comprehensive report (hard and digital copies), and follow up review appointment.
A doctor's referral is not required for psychometric assessment.
Any further questions?
Please contact Sharon using the Contact Form on this website, via email at admin@sharonmcdermottpsychology.com or on phone 0412400655 (please leave a voice message and your call will be returned as soon as possible, or send a text if that is more comfortable for you).