ADHD Assessment for Children and Adults in Melbourne — What to Expect
If you're wondering whether you or your child might have ADHD, you're not alone. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions, yet many children and adults go years without a clear answer — often because they're unsure what an assessment actually involves, how long it takes, or whether it's worth the investment.
As a Clinical Psychologist and Educational and Developmental Psychologist in Berwick, I see families and individuals navigate this uncertainty every week. This post walks you through what an ADHD assessment looks like at Brain Helpers Psychology, so you can make an informed decision about whether it's the right next step.
What Is an ADHD Assessment?
An ADHD assessment is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a psychologist to determine whether someone meets the criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It's not a single test — it's a process that brings together information from multiple sources to build a complete picture of how a person thinks, learns, and functions day to day.
At Brain Helpers Psychology, every ADHD assessment is tailored to the individual. I don't use a rigid one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, I consider your specific concerns and referral questions, then design an assessment plan that will give you the clearest, most useful answers.
Signs That an ADHD Assessment Might Be Helpful
For children and teens, parents and teachers often notice:
Difficulty staying focused during tasks or schoolwork that aren't highly engaging
Frequently losing belongings, forgetting instructions, or struggling with organisation
Restlessness, fidgeting, or difficulty staying seated when expected to
Acting impulsively — blurting out answers, interrupting, or difficulty waiting their turn
Underperforming at school despite seeming bright and capable
Emotional outbursts or frustration that seems disproportionate to the situation
For adults, ADHD can look quite different:
Chronic difficulty with time management, deadlines, and follow-through
Feeling overwhelmed by tasks that others seem to manage easily
A pattern of starting projects but not finishing them
Difficulty sustaining attention in meetings, conversations, or while reading
Restlessness or a constant need to be "doing something"
Relationship difficulties related to forgetfulness or inattention
A sense that you've always had to work harder than others to keep up
If several of these feel familiar, an assessment can provide clarity — whether the answer turns out to be ADHD, something else, or a combination.
What Happens During an ADHD Assessment at Brain Helpers Psychology?
The process typically involves several stages:
1. Initial Consultation
We start with a conversation. This is where I learn about your concerns, your history, and what you're hoping to get from the assessment. For children, I'll speak with parents or caregivers in detail about developmental history, behaviour at home, and what school has been like. This session helps me design the right assessment plan for your situation.
2. Cognitive Testing
Most ADHD assessments at our clinic include a cognitive assessment to understand how the brain processes information. For children, I typically use the WISC-V (ages 6–16) or WPPSI-IV (ages 2.5–7.7). For adults, I use the WAIS-5. These assessments measure areas like working memory, processing speed, and reasoning — all of which can be affected by ADHD.
3. ADHD-Specific Measures
I use a combination of standardised rating scales, behavioural questionnaires, and clinical interview techniques. For children, I gather information from both parents and teachers to understand how symptoms present across different settings. For adults, I explore both current functioning and childhood history, since ADHD is a condition that begins in childhood even if it wasn't identified at the time.
4. Feedback and Report
Once the assessment is complete, I prepare a detailed report explaining the findings, the diagnosis (or reasons a diagnosis wasn't given), and — most importantly — practical recommendations tailored to your life. I'll walk you through everything in a feedback session so you can ask questions and understand what it all means.
The recommendations might include strategies for home or school, workplace accommodations, whether medication might be worth exploring with your GP or a psychiatrist, and therapeutic approaches that can help.
How Long Does an ADHD Assessment Take?
An ADHD assessment at Brain Helpers Psychology typically involves around 7 hours of clinical work in total. This includes the consultation, face-to-face testing, scoring, report writing, and the feedback session. The testing itself is usually completed across one to two sessions, depending on the individual.
I know that's a significant commitment of time — but a thorough assessment is what leads to accurate answers and genuinely useful recommendations, rather than a quick label without direction.
ADHD Assessment Cost
ADHD assessments at Brain Helpers Psychology start from $1,750 (at a rate of $250 per hour). The final cost depends on the complexity of the assessment — some individuals need more extensive testing than others, and I'll always give you a clearer estimate after the initial consultation.
Who Can Diagnose ADHD in Australia?
In Australia, Psychologists and Psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD. As a registered Clinical and Educational and Developmental Psychologist, I can conduct the full assessment, provide a diagnosis, and write a comprehensive report. If medication is something you'd like to explore, I can guide you through the referral process to see a Psychiatrist.
Why Choose Brain Helpers Psychology for Your ADHD Assessment?
I started Brain Helpers Psychology because I understand firsthand what it's like to struggle with focus and attention. My own experiences growing up — grappling with anxiety and concentration difficulties — are a big part of why I became a psychologist. That lived experience, combined with my training and research background at Monash University, shapes how I approach every assessment.
What I hear most from families after an assessment is that they finally feel understood. The goal isn't just a diagnosis — it's clarity, practical guidance, and a sense of direction.
Brain Helpers Psychology is located at 13 Clyde Rd, Berwick, in Melbourne's south-east. We see clients from across Berwick, Narre Warren, Officer, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Beaconsfield and surrounding areas.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you're considering an ADHD assessment for yourself or your child, I'm happy to have a brief chat before you commit to anything. You can request a consultation here or call 0435 100 605. We respond within 24 to 72 hours.
You can also read more about our full range of psychological assessments or learn about how the ADHD brain works in our free resource section.
Dr Sharon Mittiga is a Clinical Psychologist and Educational and Developmental Psychologist at Brain Helpers Psychology in Berwick, VIC. She holds a PhD from Monash University and provides ADHD and autism assessments, counselling, and Gottman Method couples therapy for children, teens and adults.