What you can expect from this assessment
What it is
A structured psychological assessment using DSM-5 criteria to evaluate whether ADHD, and related conditions, are present in adults or children.
Who it's for
Adults who have long suspected something is different about how they focus, organise, or manage impulse. Children whose school, home, or social functioning is being affected. Anyone who needs a formal diagnosis for Medicare, NDIS, or workplace support.
How it works
A multi-session process involving a clinical interview, behaviour rating scales, and where appropriate, collateral information from a parent, teacher, or partner.
What you receive
A written psychological report detailing findings, the diagnostic conclusion, and practical recommendations for treatment, support, or next steps.
What is a DSM-5 & ADHD Assessment?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning. In Australia, a formal diagnosis requires a thorough psychological assessment against the criteria in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition).
The DSM-5 identifies three presentations of ADHD: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. For a diagnosis, symptoms must have been present before age 12, appear across more than one setting, and cause clinically significant impairment, a meaningful threshold that means ADHD isn’t diagnosed simply because someone finds tasks difficult or gets distracted occasionally.
Understanding Your DSM-5 & ADHD Assessment
A DSM-5 ADHD assessment at Integro Health is a structured clinical process, not a single appointment. It draws on multiple sources of information: a detailed clinical interview covering developmental history and current functioning, validated standardised rating scales, and a psychologist’s clinical judgement applied across the full picture.
Importantly, ADHD rarely exists in isolation. Anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, and trauma can each produce similar symptoms, and many people carry more than one at once. A thorough assessment considers the full landscape, not just a single possibility, this is what distinguishes a DSM-5-compliant assessment from a brief screening questionnaire.
Our assessments are conducted at our Eaton Clinic and are available via telehealth for clients across South West WA including Bunbury, Busselton, and surrounding areas.
Signs you may need this assessment
People come to an ADHD assessment from many different starting points. Some have wondered for years. Others arrive after a child's teacher raises a concern, or after a GP suggests it might be worth exploring. You don't need a clear answer before you reach out, that's what the assessment is for.
Persistent attention difficulties
Ongoing difficulty sustaining attention on tasks that aren’t immediately stimulating, even when you want to focus, plus a consistent pattern of losing things, missing deadlines, or forgetting appointments.
A busy, restless mind
A sense that your brain is always busy, or that you can’t slow down even when you want to rest.
Impulsivity causing problems
Acting or speaking impulsively in ways that have caused problems at work, in relationships, or socially, alongside a long history of underachievement relative to your intelligence or effort.
Concerns raised about a child
A child whose teacher has raised concerns about attention, behaviour, or classroom participation across multiple terms, or whose school performance and wellbeing are declining.
Anxiety or depression treatment not helping
You’ve been told you have anxiety or depression, but treatment hasn’t helped as much as expected.
Need for formal documentation
You need a formal psychological report for NDIS planning, workplace adjustments, or academic support, or you’re an adult who suspects ADHD was missed in childhood and wants clarity now.
Who refers you
ADHD assessments at Integro Health can be accessed through several pathways. The table below outlines the most common referral routes and when each applies.
| Referral Source | Context | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GP (Mental Health Treatment Plan) | Adults and children referred by their GP | A Mental Health Treatment Plan can support Medicare-rebated psychology sessions; the GP may also recommend assessment as part of this plan |
| Self-referral | Adults seeking assessment independently | No GP referral required to book; self-funded or private health options available |
| School or educational setting | Children and teenagers | Teachers, school psychologists, or school counsellors may recommend assessment; parents initiate the referral |
| NDIS Plan Manager or Support Coordinator | Participants with ADHD or suspected ADHD | Assessment may be funded under Improved Daily Living supports in an NDIS plan |
| Employer or workplace | Adults requiring documentation for workplace adjustments | Employer or HR may request or support the referral |
| Paediatrician or specialist | Children already under specialist care | The paediatrician may coordinate the assessment as part of a broader diagnostic workup |
If you’re unsure which pathway applies to you, our team can help you work through the options when you get in touch.
The assessment process, what to expect
Every DSM-5 & ADHD assessment follows a clear, considered path. Here is what you can expect at each stage, from your very first contact through to receiving your written report.
Intake and history gathering
Before the first clinical session, you’ll complete an intake form covering your background, current concerns, and relevant history. For children’s assessments, parents or caregivers provide developmental and medical history.
Clinical interview
A structured clinical interview explores the nature, onset, duration, and impact of symptoms across work or school, relationships, home, and wellbeing. For children, a separate parent interview is typically conducted.
Psychometric rating scales and testing
Standardised, validated rating scales are completed by the individual and, where relevant, a parent, teacher, or partner, such as the ASRS or CAARS for adults, or the Conners 3 for children and teenagers.
Scoring and clinical formulation
The psychologist integrates all findings, comparing results against DSM-5 diagnostic thresholds, ruling out alternative explanations, and considering whether co-occurring conditions are present.
Feedback session
A dedicated session where the psychologist explains the findings, walks through what the assessment did and didn’t find, and discusses what the results mean in practical terms.
Written report
A comprehensive written report covering methodology, findings, diagnostic conclusion, and recommendations, provided to you and, where consented, to your GP, NDIS plan manager, school, or employer.
Meet the Team
At Integro Health, you don't just book a clinic, you choose a practitioner who is the right fit for where you are right now. Our team of experienced psychotherapists brings clinical depth, genuine warmth, and a broad range of specialisations together under one roof. Take a moment to read about each of our practitioners and find the person who feels right for you.
Dr Paul King
General Practitioner
MBBS Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery
FRACGP Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Jools Fordyce
Social Worker & Family Therapist
Bachelor (Hons) – Applied Social Science with Diploma in Social Work
Postgraduate Diploma in Family and Relationship Therapy
Brooke Eden
Psychologist
Bachelor of Psychology
Graduate Diploma of Education
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc.
Nicholas Kerr
Psychologist
Masters of Psychology (Organisational)
Bachelor of Arts
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc.
Carli King
Office Administrator
As Practice Manager, Carli keeps the daily operations of Integro Health running smoothly, ensuring our clients always receive the highest standard of care.
Tools and methods used
A robust DSM-5 ADHD assessment uses multiple validated instruments alongside clinical reasoning. At Integro Health, the specific tools selected depend on the age of the person being assessed, the complexity of the presentation, and the purpose of the assessment.
Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1)
An 18-item self-report screener aligned to DSM-5 inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity criteria, widely used in adult assessments across Australia.
Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS)
A multi-informant rating scale assessing ADHD symptomatology in adults, including both self-report and observer-report versions.
Conners 3rd Edition (Conners 3)
A comprehensive rating scale for children and adolescents aged 6-18, covering attention, hyperactivity, learning problems, executive functioning, and co-occurring concerns; completed by the child, parent, and teacher.
Structured clinical interview (DSM-5)
A systematic exploration of symptom onset, duration, pervasiveness, and functional impairment across settings.
Developmental and medical history review
Particularly important for children, and for adults seeking to establish childhood symptom onset.
Collateral information
Where appropriate, information from a partner, parent, or teacher provides an external perspective on behaviour across settings.
Nicholas Kerr
Nicholas has more than 18 years’ experience across mental health, disability, employment services, and psychological assessment. Diagnostic assessment, including for ADHD and Autism, is one of his core areas of practice.
He conducts DSM-5 & ADHD Assessments for adults and children, drawing on structured clinical interviews and standardised rating scales to build a clear, evidence-based picture of each person’s presentation.
Nicholas takes a client-centred, strengths-based approach, informed by cognitive behavioural therapy, schema therapy, and mindfulness-based practice. He tailors each assessment to the person in front of him rather than a one-size-fits-all process.
Nicholas holds a Masters of Psychology (Organisational) and a Bachelor of Arts, and is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc.
Cost and funding
ADHD assessments at Integro Health can be accessed through several funding pathways. We don't publish specific fees, as costs can vary depending on the complexity of your assessment, we're always upfront about pricing before you begin. We encourage you to contact us or speak with your GP to determine which option best fits your situation.
Medicare (via a Mental Health Treatment Plan)
If your GP refers you under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates on psychology sessions that form part of the assessment process.
NDIS plan funding
If you are an NDIS participant, a DSM-5 & ADHD Assessment may be funded under the Improved Daily Living (IDL) budget within your plan. Your Support Coordinator or plan manager can help confirm this.
Private health insurance
Some private health funds include psychology services in their extras cover. It’s worth checking with your insurer before your appointment.
Self-funded
You are welcome to access the assessment without a referral or funding support on a self-funded basis. Please contact us to discuss current fees.
Common misconceptions about ADHD assessments
No. A DSM-5-compliant assessment typically spans 2-3 clinical sessions and draws on multiple information sources, a screening tool alone does not constitute a diagnosis.
ADHD is a lifelong condition, and many adults were never assessed as children, particularly those born before the 1990s, when adult ADHD was rarely recognised. In Australia, roughly 2-3% of adults are estimated to live with ADHD, many undiagnosed, often presenting first as anxiety, low self-esteem, or burnout.
No, hyperfocus, the ability to become intensely absorbed in stimulating tasks, is a recognised feature of ADHD, not evidence against it. The difficulty lies in regulating attention, not simply having none.
Not necessarily. Diagnosis opens a range of options, of which medication is only one. Many people benefit significantly from psychological intervention, skills-based strategies, and workplace or educational adjustments, with or without medication.
Not always. A thorough assessment sometimes finds that ADHD isn’t the primary explanation, and that anxiety, trauma, sleep difficulties, or another condition is driving the presentation. That’s a valuable finding, not a failure.
No. Many adults in their 30s, 40s, and 50s reach a point where the strategies that held things together stop working. An assessment at any age can provide clarity, validation, and a path forward.
How this differs from a Cognitive & Learning Disability Assessment
People sometimes arrive wondering whether they need an ADHD assessment, a cognitive assessment, or both. A DSM-5 & ADHD Assessment focuses specifically on whether the DSM-5 criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are met, examining the pattern, persistence, and functional impact of attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity symptoms.
A Cognitive & Learning Disability Assessment, by contrast, evaluates intellectual functioning, processing speed, and specific learning capacities using full-scale intelligence batteries such as the WAIS-IV or WISC-V. The two overlap in some areas, ADHD frequently co-occurs with learning difficulties, and in some cases both assessments are warranted. Nicholas Kerr has experience in both and can help clarify which fits your situation during intake.
Medically Reviewed By
General Practitioner · MBBS Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery FRACGP Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
The clinical information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy by Dr Paul King, a General Practitioner at Integro Health. It is general information, and not a substitute for personal medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
No. You can self-refer and book directly with Integro Health without a GP referral. However, a referral from your GP under a Mental Health Treatment Plan may make you eligible for Medicare rebates on psychology sessions that form part of the assessment process. It’s worth speaking with your GP before booking if you’d like to explore this option. Our team can also guide you when you make initial contact.
A thorough DSM-5 ADHD assessment typically involves 2-3 clinical sessions, one or more for the clinical interview and history gathering, one for rating scale review and any additional testing, and a dedicated feedback session. The exact number depends on the complexity of the presentation. We’ll give you a clear picture of what to expect before your assessment begins.
Adults are absolutely assessed for ADHD, and this is a significant part of our assessment work. Many adults were never identified as children, ADHD in adults often presents differently, with more internal restlessness, chronic disorganisation, and emotional dysregulation than the visible hyperactivity often associated with children. A DSM-5 assessment for adults follows the same diagnostic criteria but is tailored to the adult context.
A comprehensive assessment is still enormously valuable even when ADHD is ruled out. The process of thoroughly exploring your history and functioning often surfaces other explanations, anxiety, depression, trauma responses, sleep difficulties, or processing differences, that point toward a clearer and more useful path forward. The goal is always understanding, not confirming a predetermined outcome.
A DSM-5 ADHD assessment will consider co-occurring conditions and explore the clinical picture as a whole. If there are significant indications of Autism Spectrum Disorder, this can be discussed and, if warranted, a separate or expanded assessment can be arranged. Nicholas Kerr has experience in both ADHD and Autism diagnostic assessment. Please mention this when you make your initial enquiry.
Yes. The written psychological report produced at the end of the assessment is a formal clinical document that can be provided to NDIS plan managers, schools, employers, or other relevant parties, with your consent. If you’re seeking assessment specifically for NDIS or educational purposes, let us know at the outset so the report addresses the requirements of the receiving party.
Elements of the assessment, particularly clinical interviews and feedback sessions, can be conducted via telehealth for clients who cannot attend in person. This makes the assessment accessible for people across South West WA, including those in more regional areas beyond Bunbury and Eaton. Some components, such as certain performance-based cognitive tasks, are more suited to in-person delivery. We’ll discuss the best approach for your situation when you enquire.
It helps to bring any previous reports or assessments you’ve had (school reports, prior psychological assessments, medical records relating to the concerns), as well as any referral documentation from your GP if applicable. For children’s assessments, recent school reports and any teacher observations are very useful. You’ll also complete intake paperwork before your first session, we’ll send this to you in advance so you have time to fill it in thoughtfully. For more on what to expect, see our guide on what to expect from your first psychology session.
