At Mind Matters, we specialise in adult ADHD assessments designed to bring clarity and understanding.
Identifies if a adult meets DSM-V diagnostic criteria
In Australia, it is estimated that about 815,000 people are living with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and unfortunately, it is poorly recognised, underdiagnosed and undertreated in adulthood. Why is this concerning? Because ADHD can have such an adverse impact on nearly every aspect of our lives.
Interestingly, it presents differently in adults than it does in children. In adults, it’s more subtle and means that mechanisms of coping and or overcompensating are quickly created. So, while to others, it can seem that a person is functional and organised, mentally, there can be a constant feeling of ‘having 1,000 browser tabs open’ at all times.
ADHD in adults can be presented in many ways such as:
To help manage the symptoms of adult ADHD, we offer ongoing therapy. Evidence-based treatment for ADHD includes a combination of medication and therapy. If the ADHD is mild, we may only use therapy.
Evidence-based therapies for ADHD include:
Our understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder has vastly grown in recent years. As a result of these evolving insights, more adults are beginning to question whether they may meet the criteria for a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Whilst our understanding of Autism spectrum disorder has grown, many adults remain undiagnosed, particularly those whose traits may not fit the traditional ideas of an Autism Spectrum Disorder presentation.
Autism can shape how a person experiences and interacts with the world. Many adults who present with Autism, may have consciously or unconsciously adapted their behaviour to fit in with social norms. However, individuals may be struggling silently with challenges in communication, sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation, and navigating social expectations, often without understanding why things may feel more difficult for them than for others.
ASD in adults can present in many ways such as:
Difficulty understanding social cues
Difficulty maintaining or making friendships
Sensory difficulties
Challenges with self care / other executive functioning
A need for sameness
Struggling with transitions
Directness
Difficulty with reciprocity in conversations
Emotional dysregulation
To help support clients with adult ASD, we offer ongoing therapy using evidenced based and neuro-affirming approaches that can be adapted to suit an individual with Autism’s needs. An individual with ASD may also engage in other allied health interventions such as occupational therapy or speech therapy.
This may include:
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy therapy: reframe unhelpful thought patterns, manage anxiety, and develop coping strategies.
Interpersonal and Social skills: to help understand and improve social communication difficulties.
Perspective taking and Problem solving skills: supports better interpretation of social cues and understand others’ intentions leading to improved social interactions.
Emotional regulation skills: supports understanding and recognition of emotional responses and developing flexible, supportive ways to manage emotional responses.
If you believe you might have adult ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), we recommend discussing this with your General Practitioner first, as it’s always beneficial to have your GP involved in your health concerns. Note: A GP referral is not required to commence your ADHD or ASD assessment.'
Contact our friendly team for a detailed explanation of the assessment process, costs and time frames.
Following best practice guidelines, all of our testing for adults starts with a clinical interview.
In this session, our psychologist will explore your concerns, abilities, strengths, difficulties, challenges and developmental history. You should allow 1.5 – 2 hours for this.
Next is the assessment process, which involves several questionnaires. You’ll be able to complete some of these assessments online prior to your clinical interview. The number and type of assessments required will be specific to your individual concerns and needs and will be informed by the initial clinical interview.
Your psychologist will then take a deep dive and spend many hours reviewing your assessments and sessions.
They’ll formulate a written report, recommendations and a feedback session.
A feedback session can be scheduled around 4 weeks after you complete the assessment. The feedback session will be up to 50 minutes, at which time, your psychologist will provide you with a written report and verbal explanation of the assessment results and recommendations.
Our assessments are comprehensive, multi-informant and are a staged clinical process rather than a single appointment.
The total time for an assessment can range between 7-9 hours depending on which assessment you are coming for.
Standard adult assessments at Mind Matters range from $2000 to $2700.
The fee covers multiple hours of the clinicians time which includes both the time you are face to face with them for your initial, in person testing sessions and feedback session, as well as the behind the scenes work such as scoring and interpretation of standardised measures, integration of information from multiple informants and detailed report writing.
If you would like a more detailed breakdown of the cost of your assessment, please reach out to our client support team who can provide you with this information via email.
There are typically multiple appointments and informants as part of the comprehensive assessment process and it can take 2-4 weeks to complete the initial components of the assessment. Once all necessary information has been gathered, it takes approximately 3-4 weeks to complete the report.
If the assessment findings meet the required clinical criteria, a formal diagnosis can be provided. Psychometric assessments are designed to determine whether someone meets diagnostic thresholds using standardised measures, clinical interviews, and information from multiple sources.
In some cases, results may indicate traits or areas of difficulty that don’t meet full diagnostic criteria; this is still clinically meaningful and allows us to provide clear explanations and targeted recommendations.
The goal is always diagnostic clarity and practical guidance, rather than assigning a label unnecessarily.
A referral is not required to have an assessment at Mind Matters. However, multidisciplinary assessments are encouraged and a GP/psychiatrist/paediatrician may refer for psychologist input.
Generally assessments are not funded by medicare or the NDIS. Your private health fund may provide some funding and we encourage you to confirm if this is available. For ASD assessments for clients aged under 25, there may be a medicare rebate available. It is best to talk to your GP about this. However, at present most comprehensive psychometric assessments aren’t covered under Medicare, even when a GP provides a referral.
Assessments are often scheduled in the morning because that’s when most children and adults are at their freshest. Psychometric testing requires concentration, effort, and consistent performance, so morning sessions help ensure the results accurately reflect abilities rather than fatigue or distraction later in the day.
This timing helps provide the most reliable and valid picture of strengths and challenges.
Your wellbeing is important, and we want to ensure financial concerns don’t become a barrier to getting answers.
Mind Matters offers a flexible payment plan for Adult ADHD assessments, allowing you to pay in smaller instalments over time.
It’s a straightforward, supportive option designed to help you start your journey with confidence and ease.
