We specialise in diagnostic assessment ADHD, autism, learning, & IQ as well as therapy for ages 2-18 years
We specialise in diagnostic assessment ADHD, autism, learning, & IQ as well as therapy for ages 2-18 years
Assessment for attention, impulsivity, executive functioning and behavioural concerns.
Individualised autism assessments for children, adolescents and young people, using a neuro-affirming approach.
Assessment of learning difficulties including dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia.
Psychological support for anxiety, emotional regulation, behaviour, social difficulties and other concerns.
Assessment and behaviour support for children and people with disability, including NDIS behaviour support.
What Does a Comprehensive Autism and ADHD Assessment Report Look Like?
Parents, educators, and adults seeking answers are often surprised by the difference between a screening tool and a comprehensive autism and ADHD assessment. While both can provide valuable information, they serve very different purposes.
Understanding this distinction can help individuals make informed decisions when seeking support, accommodations, and diagnostic clarity.
Screening Tools: A Starting Point, Not a Diagnosis
Screening tools are questionnaires or checklists designed to identify whether further assessment may be beneficial.
Examples of commonly used screening measures include:
These tools gather information from parents, teachers, or the individual themselves regarding behaviours, attention, social communication, executive functioning, and emotional wellbeing.
What Screening Tools Can Tell Us
Screening tools can:
What Screening Tools Cannot Tell Us
Screening tools alone cannot:
A high score on a screening tool does not automatically mean a person is autistic or has ADHD. Likewise, some individuals may score below screening cut-offs despite meeting diagnostic criteria.
What Is a Comprehensive Autism and ADHD Assessment?
A comprehensive assessment is an in-depth evaluation that examines the individual's developmental history, current functioning, strengths, challenges, and diagnostic profile.
Rather than relying on a single questionnaire, clinicians gather information from multiple sources and assess whether behaviours meet established diagnostic criteria.
A comprehensive assessment aims to answer the question:
"Do the observed characteristics meet criteria for autism and/or ADHD, and what supports are needed?"
Components of a Comprehensive Assessment
Although assessment processes vary between clinicians, a high-quality comprehensive assessment often includes:
1. Clinical Interview
Detailed interviews explore:
Parents, caregivers, partners, or other significant individuals may contribute valuable information.
2. Standardised Assessment Measures
Assessment tools may include:
For Autism:
For ADHD:
3. Direct Observation
Clinicians observe:
Observation often provides critical information that questionnaires alone cannot capture.
4. Cognitive Assessment (When Indicated)
Some assessments include measures such as:
These assessments help identify learning strengths and weaknesses and clarify whether difficulties may be related to intellectual disability, learning disorders, ADHD, autism, or a combination of factors.
5. Adaptive Functioning Assessment
Adaptive functioning measures assess everyday life skills such as:
This information is particularly important when determining support needs.
What Should a Comprehensive Report Include?
A comprehensive autism and ADHD assessment report should provide far more than a diagnosis.
A high-quality report typically includes:
Background Information
Assessment Procedures
A clear summary of:
Assessment Findings
Detailed discussion of:
Diagnostic Formulation
A clear explanation of:
Strength-Based Profile
An effective report highlights:
Practical Recommendations
Recommendations should be individualised and may include:
Why a Comprehensive Assessment Matters
A comprehensive assessment provides a detailed understanding of the whole person rather than simply identifying symptoms.
It can:
Who is the best person to complete an assessment with my child?
Title alone is less important. A psychologist is the minimum qualification registered or provisional (under supervision).
Most importantly, assessment and diagnosis is the psychologist's area of expertise. They have specific training in assessment tools and application of these skills and knowledge.
They are a good diagnostician, meaning they can not only distinguish if diagnostic criteria is met for the reason for referral however are also able to provide differential diagnosis e.g. giftedness, anxiety, trauma (essentially they know diagnosis).
The Bottom Line
Screening tools are valuable first-step indicators, but they are not designed to provide a diagnosis.
A comprehensive autism and ADHD assessment combines developmental history, clinical expertise, observations, standardised measures, and diagnostic reasoning to create a complete picture of an individual's functioning and support needs.
When families and individuals invest in a comprehensive assessment, they receive more than a diagnostic label—they gain meaningful insights, practical recommendations, and a roadmap for future support.
Our Director, Katie has a passion for diagnosis and assessment. She holds qualifications in clinical, educational and developmental psychology with extensive training in assessment tools over her 19 years as a registered psychologist. Most important of all is the rapport Katie builds with not only your child but your family in such a short period of time. She supports you through a quite daunting process to reduce the overwhelm with the mutual goal of helping to best support your child.