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Comprehensive ADHD Assessment

Empower your child’s success: everything parents need to know about ADHD assessments

ADHD is considered by most to be a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects millions of people – adults and children – worldwide. It usually develops early, presenting in children displaying a range of symptoms from difficulty paying attention to impulsive/hyperactive behavioural issues. ADHD is categorised by the DSM-V-TR and the ICD-10 as one of three subtypes:

Inattentive
Hyperactive/Impulsive
Combined

ADHD symptoms may include any or all of the following through a specific quality and quantity of symptoms is required for diagnosis.

Inattention – difficulty sustaining attention, easily distracted, often forgetful.
Impulsivity – interrupting others, acting without thinking.
Hyperactivity – restlessness, being overly active, often fidgeting.

ADHD can impact daily activities, education, and work. If left unmanaged, ADHD can become quite a large barrier in a person’s life. People with ADHD may experience further issues, like poor impulse control, anxiety disorder, heightened sensitivity to their emotions, and more. Continuously being corrected and reprimanded for behaviour difficulties that they struggle with often leads to low self esteem and may lead to oppositional behaviours.

With a thorough ADHD assessment, we can create a treatment plan tailored to the individual.

We’ll look at managing specific challenging behaviours and creating coping skills for the individual and supportive skills for their family members. Treatment options include a wide range of early intervention therapies including mindfulness based therapy (MBT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapies (CBT), and ADHD skill coaching. Alongside the support of family members, children and adults with ADHD can thrive.

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1300 372 439

Getting an ADHD diagnosis

If you’re concerned about your child’s development or you’ve recognised ADHD symptoms in a loved one, you can get an ADHD assessment completed with a healthcare provider.

At Early Start Australia, we are highly experienced in identifying early symptoms of ADHD in young children. Here’s what the assessment process looks like:

Gathering information: An assessment starts with a diagnostic interview with parents and/or family members. This gives us an a thorough understanding of the background to a child and consider all possible alternative diagnoses that may better explain the ADHD symptoms.
Physical exam: This will rule out any other medical conditions that may be causing symptoms. This will be conducted by your GP/Paediatrician.
Cognitive testing: This will be conducted by an Early Start Australia psychologist and will assess attention, memory, and other executive functions.
Behavioural observation: With behavioural scales and functional assessments in the clinic, we can review your child’s capabilities in different settings,including during our time with your child in the clinic, reports from home and school, and sometimes also from family members and peers.
Diagnosis: With the assessment findings, we’ll determine if your child meets the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. We also want to create a solid picture of your child’s developmental progress. This includes identifying strengths and struggles in intellectual, learning and social functioning. A thorough report will be created on our results that can be shared with a paediatrician or child psychiatrist to discuss pharmacological treatment if this is your preferred treatment option.
Treatment plan: Once we have an accurate diagnosis, we can look at a detailed treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs. If your child does not meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, we can equally suggest the next steps for your child. Our team of mental health professionals will work with you to create a holistic care approach.

Enquire now

1300 372 439

ADHD treatment options

Address ADHD symptoms early with early intervention therapy and get the support you need. ESA provides the following multi-disciplinary care options in supporting children with ADHD:

Psychology
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Physiotherapy
Positive behaviour support
Dietitians
Social work

Enquire now

1300 372 439

Frequently Asked Questions

Our ADHD assessment process involves the following steps:

Parent Initial Consultation – 50 minutes, with both parents where appropriate
Intellectual (IQ) Assessment – 90 minutes, individually with the child
Functional Assessment – 90 minutes, individually with the child
Social, Emotional & Behavioural Assessment – rating scales completed with parents and teachers
Results Interpretation and Report Preparation – 4 to 5 weeks following the assessment
Parent Feedback Consultation – 50 minutes, with both parents where appropriate.

To find out more about ADHD assessments available near you, contact us today.

ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that may present the following symptoms:

struggling to pay attention or lack of impulse control
making careless mistakes in simple daily activities
certain learning disabilities, with often poor school reports even when they try their best
issues with time management, planning or completing tasks
difficulty regulating emotions or interacting socially
trouble focusing on tasks, being easily distracted and struggling to follow instructions
being easily bored, feeling restless or fidgety, and interrupting or talking excessively

If you feel your child is displaying any of these ADHD symptoms, consider an ADHD assessment with a mental health professional.

Absolutely. We believe early intervention is for everyone. It’s about addressing your issues as early as possible and providing support to improve your quality of life. To book an ADHD assessment, simply fill out our online form or give your closest clinic a call. We can then arrange a clinical interview to begin the assessment process. We will also review your family and medical history to rule out other possible conditions.

Find a clinic near you

We have clinics in every state and territory providing assessments, early childhood intervention therapies, and support to help you thrive.

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The Early Start Australia promise

Holistic care and treatment plans

Our multi-disciplinary team works together with you to understand your child’s needs. From there, we’ll develop a plan with evidence-based strategies. Work with us to achieve your goals and enjoy a better quality of life.

Australia-wide reach

With clinics in every state and territory, and an experienced team of therapists. Find help when you need it, where you need it.

Registered NDIS provider

We are a registered NDIS provider and are here to help you on your NDIS journey. We provide quality and safe services, follow NDIS requirements, and support your needs and goals.

Early intervention at all stages

Early intervention is not just for young children. We offer therapies that cater to all ages, needs and abilities, and we know the sooner you start your therapy journey, the better your outcomes. With us, you can learn new skills and enjoy more freedom and control in your life.

Useful links

Comprehensive ADHD Assessment

Empower your child’s success: everything parents need to know about ADHD assessments

Getting an ADHD diagnosis

ADHD treatment options

Address ADHD symptoms early with early intervention therapy and get the support you need. ESA provides the following multi-disciplinary care options in supporting children with ADHD:

Frequently Asked Questions

Find a clinic near you

We have clinics in every state and territory providing assessments, early childhood intervention therapies, and support to help you thrive.