ADHD Assessment
Melbourne
Comprehensive Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Assessment by clinical psychologists in Melbourne.
Our ADHD Assessments in Melbourne
Comprehensive ADHD Assessments for Children and Adolescents in Melbourne
At Social Skills Melbourne, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based ADHD assessments for children and adolescents aged 6 to 18. Our assessments are conducted by registered clinical psychologists with a high level of experience in neurodevelopmental disorders.
We assess, form diagnostic impressions and provide you with a report — and we do it thoroughly. At the end of the process, you’ll receive a detailed written report with a clear diagnostic impression, a cognitive profile of your child’s strengths and challenges, and tailored recommendations for school, home and healthcare providers.
Our clinic is located in Nunawading in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, and is accessible to families across Box Hill, Blackburn, Mitcham, Ringwood, Doncaster, Croydon and surrounds.
Who is an ADHD Assessment for?
You may consider an ADHD assessment for your child if you have noticed any of the following things:
Struggling to focus, complete tasks or follow through on instructions at school or home
Often described by teachers as “disruptive”, “distracted”, or “not reaching their potential”.
Impulsive, emotionally reactive, or frequently in conflict with peers or family.
Difficulty with time management, chronic lateness.
Already diagnosed with Autism, anxiety or a learning difficulty, and ADHD is suspected as a co-morbidity.
Struggling socially, in ways that are not fully explained by a prior diagnosis.
Assessment Process
Understanding ADHD
ADHD is a neuro-developmental disorder starting in childhood. Children with ADHD may have difficulty focusing on tasks, sitting still and regulating their impulses.
Common symptoms include:
- Inattention: Difficulty with focus, easily distracted, forgetful.
- Hyperactivity: Always bursting with energy, feeling restless, difficulty sleeping.
- Impulsivity: Acting without thinking, risk taking, interrupting others.
ADHD can be challenging to deal with at school, at home, and with friends. Children with ADHD may be more likely to get into trouble at school or conflict at home, and often feel misunderstood. ADHD can also impact a child’s ability to engage in leisure activities and daily living.
Prevalence and Population Risk Factors
Approximately 8.2% of Australian children have an ADHD diagnosis. However, actual prevalence rates may be higher than official diagnoses suggest, because girls have historically been under-diagnosed with ADHD (Hinshaw et al., 2021).
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) released comprehensive guidelines in 2018 that indicate several groups in the population are more likely to have an ADHD diagnosis. These include children;
- Who have an autism diagnosis
- Who live in out of home care
- Who have an intellectual disability
- Who have an Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) diagnosis
- Who have anxiety, depression or another mood disorder
- Who were born pre-term
- Who have epilepsy
- Who have tic-disorders
Diagnosis
According to the Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD), diagnosis based on interview, questionnaires and information from multiple informants is considered best practice. A categorical diagnostic approach based on DSM-V-TR classifications is also recommended (Razzak et al., 2021).
Since Comorbidity between ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism and Specific Learning Disorders is quite high, diagnosis often also involves screening or considering these diagnoses as alternatives. Further, at Social Skills Melbourne, we offer a range of cognitive and neurodevelopmental assessments for children and adolescents.
An ADHD Assessment will provide clarity around a child’s unique strengths and challenges, equipping parents, teachers and healthcare professionals to best support the child.
ADHD Assessment
ADHD assessment and diagnosis involves gathering a range of information. An interview with both the child and parents helps understand the child’s functioning and behaviour at home, at school, and with friends. Cognitive assessment helps understand how the child thinks and solves problems. Medical examination by a medical practitioner ensures the child’s symptoms are not better explained by another medical condition.
Once all this information is collected, we will provide you with a comprehensive report and diagnostic impressions. We routinely work with GPs and Paediatricians to ensure comprehensive assessment and support recommendations.
Book an ADHD Assessment Today
We routinely assess, diagnose and treat ADHD and other neuro-developmental disorders in young people aged 6 – 18. If you are interested in an ADHD assessment for your child/adolescent, contact us today and we will speak with you as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an ADHD assessment take?
The assessment process typically involves 2–3 appointments over 2–4 weeks. The full process from first contact to receiving your report usually takes 4–6 weeks, depending on scheduling and how quickly teacher questionnaires are returned.
Does my child need a referral?
You don’t need a referral to enquire or book. However, a referral from your GP or paediatrician may be relevant for accessing rebates or coordinating medical assessment. We’ll advise you at the enquiry stage.
Can girls be assessed for ADHD?
Absolutely — and we actively encourage it. ADHD in girls has historically been under-identified because presentations are often less hyperactive and more inattentive. Many girls are not diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood, despite significant difficulties earlier in life.
What if my child already has an Autism diagnosis?
Co-occurring ADHD and Autism is common. A prior Autism diagnosis does not preclude an ADHD diagnosis, and understanding both profiles together often leads to much better support outcomes. We are experienced in assessing and interpreting complex, overlapping neurodevelopmental presentations.
Will the assessment definitely result in a diagnosis?
Not necessarily. If the evidence does not support an ADHD diagnosis, we will say so clearly and explain what the findings do indicate. A thorough assessment that rules out ADHD is still a valuable outcome.
Can you assess adolescents as well as young children?
Yes. We assess children and adolescents aged 6 to 18. Adolescent assessments include a separate clinical interview with the young person to understand their own experience, which is particularly important for teenagers who may have developed strategies to mask their difficulties.
My child’s teacher raised ADHD concerns – where do I start?
Contact us directly by completing our assessment enquiry form. We will contact you and discuss your child’s presentation, answer your questions, and advise on whether an assessment is the right next step. There’s no pressure to book — we’d rather you make an informed decision.
Do you work with GPs and Paediatricians?
Yes. We routinely collaborate with GPs and paediatricians as part of the assessment process and provide reports in a format suitable for sharing with your child’s broader treating team.
After the Assessment – How Can We Help with ADHD?
Our core service at Social Skills Melbourne is to deliver evidence based social skills group therapy to neurodivergent children aged 4 to 12. Structured group programs like the Secret Agent Society work to develop the social competence and emotional regulation skills that can sometimes be challenging for children with ADHD and other neurodivergence to build on their own. Whilst Secret Agent Society is designed for children aged 8 to 12, our other groups like the Westmead Feelings Program and Friends & Feelings Program are appropriate for children between the age of 6 to 12, and the PEERS for Pre-schoolers program is designed to teach foundational social and communication skills to pre-schoolers as young as 4 years.
In addition, if you you are seeking individual therapy, we have availability to see clients in a one-on-one session.