Autism and ADHD
Assessment Service for Teens and Adults
Helping you understand yourself better so you can get the supports you need
If some of these feel like you, it may be worth considering a diagnostic assessment for ADHD, or Autism or both.
Have you seen some information online about autism or ADHD and have thought, ‘Hmm, that sounds a bit like me?’
Have you been struggling with mental health issues like depression, OCD, PTSD or anxiety, and the treatments you’ve tried just don’t seem to be working, or at least not as well as they seem to for other people?
Have you had a family member diagnosed as being neurodivergent and realised that you’re quite similar to them, and it made you wonder?
Have you always had a sense of being different or out of step with other people, but assumed that it was something you were doing wrong, and that you just needed to ‘try harder?’
Were you told as a child that you couldn’t have ADHD because you were too good at school, even though you struggled with tasks that everyone else seemed to do with little effort?
Are you able to do all the things expected of you (like meeting new people, keeping work/study deadlines, being in overstimulating environments) but find it mentally and emotionally exhausting and sometimes you feel like you’ve hit a wall?
Were you going OK, holding everything together until something big changed? Maybe you started at a new school or new job, maybe you hit puberty or menopause or became a parent, and then all the careful strategies you used to use to help you to function started to fall apart.
At the Northwest Psychology practice we have a passion for working with people who suspect they may have ADHD or Autism but who have never been diagnosed. We believe that you deserve to know the truth of who you are.
Here are some of the ways an ADHD or Autism diagnosis can help:
Why diagnosis is important
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Going through the diagnostic process is all about understanding and naming what you are experiencing. Once you have a framework and can name what is happening, it opens the door to change.
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For people who are going through the diagnostic process in their teens or in adulthood, you may never have had the opportunity to tell your story. Our diagnostic interviews provide a place to talk about your experiences and challenges in a neuroaffirming environment where your needs are taken seriously.
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Once you have a name or framework for understanding yourself, this can become a powerful tool for letting others know what you need and how to help you. It means that the people in your life (family, friends, colleagues) have a context for understanding both your strengths and struggles. It also helps other health professionals (like your doctor or therapist) to understand how to provide effective treatment and support for you.
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Once you understand yourself and your needs better, it can be empowering. Perhaps you are now able to start taking your sensory needs seriously. Perhaps, rather than pushing yourself to burn out, you are now able to build in accomodations that are more sustainable. Diagnosis helps point to ways that you can make your life more manageable and more enjoyable.
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For those with support needs, the report provided as part of an Autism or ADHD assessment helps you to access services through NDIS and Medicare.
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One of the most powerful impacts of diagnosis is the discovery that you are not alone. There is in fact a whole community of neurodiverse folks who share common lived experiences. Diagnosis helps you to understand your place in that community and opens opportunity for greater connection.
Assessment at Northwestpsych
We understand that undergoing an assessment can be both stressful and filled with uncertainty. We are here to support you through the process.
We also understand that for many people, getting the diagnosis is just the beginning. There’s relief at knowing the reasons why you’ve been struggling but at the same time, there’s a grieving process as you reflect on the past - the missed opportunities, the ways others have misunderstood you and all the ways that the difficulties have held you back. There is space in our feedback session to discuss these issues and to make sure that you receive the support you need.
Our principal assessor is Nicki Kemp, a Clinical Psychologist with twenty-five years experience in working with teens and adults. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis from the University of Western Australia.
Our Assessment Services:
How the autism assessment process works:
STEP 1
Tell us what you need
Tell us about yourself by completing our online form, or you can call or message us if you prefer.
Your psychologist may get in touch with you at this stage to discuss your needs in detail and finalise the assessment plan.
STEP 2
Participate in assessment
Assessment usually involves 3-4 hours of clinical interviews and testing, as well as completing a number of questionnaires. Your psychologist will also ask to talk to someone in your life who knows you well (such as a parent). The specific assessment steps are tailored to each individual.
STEP 3
Attend a feedback session
This is where you will be given the results of the assessment. You’ll be given a full understanding of the conclusions and will have the opportunity to ask any questions you have. We’ll also give you helpful resources and discuss possible next steps and further support options.
STEP 4
Receive a detailed report
Your psychologist will write a comprehensive report based on the findings of the assessment. This document can be used in a range of contexts such as advocating for your needs at school or further studies, supporting NDIS applications and communicating with health care providers