Robert Blume
Jacinta offers neurodivergence assessments for:
Jacinta offers neurodivergence assessments for:
Reports are typically around 20 pages long and include a summary of relevant information relating to your childhood and development, schooling and work experiences, medical and psychological history, and results of assessment measures that you will complete during the diagnostic process. Provisional or formal diagnos(es) are outlined and you will be offered recommendations for follow-up strategies and/or supports.
To collect background information about your overall health and functioning, we use a selection of self-report questionnaires that you complete online in your own time.
You may be asked to complete quantitative online measures such as the Social Responsiveness Scale - 2 (SRS-2), which helps to identify the presence and severity of social
To collect background information about your overall health and functioning, we use a selection of self-report questionnaires that you complete online in your own time.
You may be asked to complete quantitative online measures such as the Social Responsiveness Scale - 2 (SRS-2), which helps to identify the presence and severity of social differences that are common within within the autism spectrum.
Another useful standardised measure is the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-A), which captures an adult's strengths and weaknesses in terms of their executive functioning and self-regulation. The use of these measures is restricted to highly qualified health professionals.
During your Assessment session, your psychologist will use 'semi-structured' clinical interviews such as the DIVA-5 (ADHD) and the MIGDAS-2 (Autism) that will provide further qualitative and quantitative information to help determine your diagnosis.
Assessments are conducted in stages.
Assessments are conducted in stages.
Check out this PDF for a more detailed, step-by-step outline on what to expect throughout your diagnostic process.
If you are curious about whether your experiences might be better understood through a lens of neurodivergence, you can start by exploring some self-assessment measures.
It is important to remember that web-based questionnaires are not clinical tools for diagnosis and should not be substituted for any professional medical service, NOR for clinical judgement. These tools can be liable to errors. A false positive is an error in which a test result incorrectly indicates the presence of a condition, and a false negative is the opposite error, where the test result misses a condition that it is actually present. It is important to work with an experienced health professional to determine if there could be multiple conditions at play for you that may or may not be accurately captured by your self-assessment results.
If you find any of your self-assessment results to be distressing, please discuss with your trusted health care professional and/or contact an emergency support service.
EMBRACE AUTISM has a number of measures exploring neurodivergent characteristics and can be accessed here.
Our favourites are:
- The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale–Revised (RAADS–R) is a self-report questionnaire designed to identify adult autistics who tend to “escape diagnosis” due to a subclinical presentation.
- The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) is a self-report measure of social camouflaging behaviours in adults. It may be used to identify autistic individuals who do not currently meet diagnostic criteria due to their ability to mask their autistic proclivities.
- The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale for DSM-5 (ASRS-5) is a self-report screening scale for ADHD in adults.
- The Executive Skills Questionnaire (ESQ) is a questionnaire designed to rate your executive skills. Executive function skills are the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, juggle multiple tasks successfully, and self-regulate.
- Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS21) evaluates the severity of these symptoms and provides a mild, moderate or severe result.
- The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS) was developed to identify women who may have postpartum depression.
- Basic self-screening test for symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, produced by the Black Dog Institute.
Many people arrive at this point of seeking a diagnosis drowning in the deep-dived (dove?) depths of self-identification via free online quizzes and social media content. Thank you TikTok, YouTube, and Reddit for many sleepless nights obsessively scrolling for #relatable content. You might feel dizzy, disoriented, and even less sure of yourself than before. #rabbitholes
Perhaps you've only just started to consider the possibility of being neurodivergent, and are beginning to experience the senses of finally feeling Seen and Understood and Accepted amongst fellow atypicals? If this if you, we can help you make sense of these feelings.
Perhaps you've silently identified as neurodivergent for a while but would feel more confident in owning your differences with the support of a professional opinion?
Or maybe you've been hyperfixating on DSM-5 (diagnostic manual) criteria for neurodevelopmental conditions and finding it hard to fit yourself clearly into one box or another? Imposter Syndrome is real!
Whilst self-identification is absolutely important and valid, you are here because you're looking for a formalised exploration of your differences. Check out the fabulous Neurodivergent Insights site which highlights how many characteristics are common to both ADHD and Autism, and others that can confusingly counteract with each other. Do you desperately crave novelty to get inspired and moving but would fall off the face of the planet without routine and predictability? We get it!
Understanding the overlapping ways in which ADHD and Autism can be expressed is relatively new territory in the psychology world. Until recently, a psychologist wasn't allowed to diagnose someone with both ADHD and Autism - it had to be one or the other! Thankfully this was updated in DSM-5 and both conditions can now be diagnosed. This is a critical step in acknowledging the validity of AuDHDers and their support needs. We are now coming to appreciate that ADHD and Autism are more likely to co-occur than existing for people as "pure" ADHD or Autism.
An ND diagnostic assessment should be conducted by an experienced paediatrician, psychiatrist, or psychologist, who is able to recognise the nuanced differences between stereotypical (externalised) and internalised variants of these conditions. Whether you prefer to focus on exploring just ADHD or Autism for now, the assessment should also consider the potentially mediating effects of adverse life experiences (trauma), medical conditions, and other mental health symptoms that can impact your executive functioning, social capacity, sensory experiences, movement needs, and emotion regulation.
If you are only interested in exploring a formal diagnosis for ADHD, you can book an Assessment Interview for ADHD (typically 2.5 hours). This process will also screen for signs of Autism, but will not include a clinical assessment tool required for diagnosing Autism. This will include a 30 minute feedback session to discuss your results and report.
If you are only interested in exploring a formal diagnosis for Autism, you can book an Assessment Interview for Autism (typically 3 hours). This process will screen for signs of ADHD, but will not include a clinical assessment tool required for diagnosing ADHD. This will include a 30 minute feedback session to discuss your results and report.
If you think you could benefit from investigating both ADHD and Autism, you can book an Assessment that covers both. This will typically be conducted over two assessment sessions and will include a 60 minute feedback session to discuss your results and report.
If you're not sure which one to pick, feel free to contact us and we can help with your decision. If you are ready to go - call to schedule a time to get started!
Let’s review the language used in the world of “neurodiversity”. This term refers to a large group of people with varying neurological differences, including neurotypical people. Currently, the terms used to describe neurodiversity do not represent formal medical categories. Rather, these terms are used by the community to promote the rec
Let’s review the language used in the world of “neurodiversity”. This term refers to a large group of people with varying neurological differences, including neurotypical people. Currently, the terms used to describe neurodiversity do not represent formal medical categories. Rather, these terms are used by the community to promote the recognition and acceptance of different brain types (or “neurotypes”).
The “neurodiversity movement” advocates for the full inclusion of neurodiverse individuals and their individual rights to be supported as they are.
“Neurotypical” is a term that’s used to describe individuals with typical neurological development or functioning. “Neurodivergent” (ND) is a term used to describe any brain that processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered "typical."
Many people identify as neurodivergent, including individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism, both ADHD and Autism (aka AuDHDers), Tourette Syndrome, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, synaesthesia, intellectual disabilities or developmental delays, and schizophrenia. Neurodivergent brains are wired differently. It is perfectly acceptable to self-identify as ND, although you may need to formalise a diagnosis with specialist health practitioners for access to medications, services and accommodations.
Many people who support the use of these terms believe that atypical brains such as those owned by Autistics or ADHDers aren’t ‘disordered’ and don’t need a ‘cure’. They see diversity in neurotypes as akin to natural differences in hair colour or handedness, which should be respected and celebrated. However, many experience significant struggles living with neurodivergence in a world largely set up for neurotypical brains. Thus, it remains important to identify and accommodate functionally-impairing differences to alleviate disablement.
I have met with many ND folk in my clinical practice who have shared common experiences of always feeling 'weird' or 'defective', and their life-long ‘masking’ has come at great personal cost. Unfortunately, many of our divergent neurokin have suffered much of their lives knowing that they can do better, but their environments don’t fit their performance needs. This often feels like failure.
The health and wellness industries are undertaking a drastic unlearning of sorts. Historical (mis)understanding of neurodiversity has contributed to significant trauma and othering of people with atypical minds. We must let go of harmful misinformation and old stereotypes and listen to ND people who courageously share their stories.
It is very important to me to gauge how your brain interprets the world that may not be obvious to others. For example, many ND people have sensory processing differences. Some sensory input can be magnified and deeply painful or overwhelming (like crowds, bright lights or certain sounds), and others can be under-detected (like bumps and bruises). Regardless of intelligence, many ND people find it impossible to organise, plan, prioritise, and manage themselves effectively through the micro-tasks of every day living. Many feel anxious and frustrated when one distraction or deviation throws out the best-intentioned of schedules. Again, this often feels like failure or ineptitude.
In my neuroaffirming practice, I will respect you when do or do not make eye contact, when you move or do not move your body, and when you communicate your thoughts, feelings, and needs in atypical ways. I will always try to see you through a whole-person, strengths-based lens. I want to help you recognise and untangle the knots within you that have developed in the misunderstood spaces of living with neurodivergence.
Since we live in a world that generally caters to neurotypical minds, neurodivergent people can often feel like they need to hide some of their behaviours and act more.. well... typical. Masking refers to any behaviour designed to hide, suppress, and/or overcompensate for how one's disability might impact their functioning. This tendency
Since we live in a world that generally caters to neurotypical minds, neurodivergent people can often feel like they need to hide some of their behaviours and act more.. well... typical. Masking refers to any behaviour designed to hide, suppress, and/or overcompensate for how one's disability might impact their functioning. This tendency towards 'masking' (also known as camouflaging) parts of their authentic selves may develop out of wanting to fit in more easily within social groups, find a romantic partner, or perhaps be more likely to be chosen for that sports team or promotion at work. Despite these perceived benefits, neurodivergent
people will more routinely mask to protect themselves from prejudice, judgement, harassment, or having their disability “outed.”
Here are a few examples of how ND folk might engage in masking:
It is important to remember that all people, neurodivergent and neurotypical, engage in masking to some degree in order to maintain safety in our social communities. For example, inhibiting the urge to punch your neighbour if their noisy kids wake you too early one morning would be sensible choice for self-regulation. And perhaps most people would find it useful to pre-prepare some questions before attending a job interview to appear engaged and motivated. Over time, masking can become quite unconscious and a person may be unaware they’re even doing it.
Masking for neurodivergent people can become a survival mechanism that turns into a pervasive disconnection from self. Research shows that chronic masking is associated with higher levels of exhaustion, burn out, stress, anxiety, depression, social isolation, low self-esteem, and suicidality. This is also true for other minority groups, such as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Learning to unmask and share your genuine self with others can take some time, but it’s a worthwhile process that can improve the satisfaction with work, the mutual enjoyment of social interactions, and quality of relationships.
This article refers to gender differences in the presentations of ADHD and Autism. Whilst the research in this space often refers to a 'Female Phenotype', we encourage you to re-frame this idea as an 'Internalising Phenotype', which is more inclusive of sex, sexuality, and gender diversity.
Research shows that boys and men are around 4 ti
This article refers to gender differences in the presentations of ADHD and Autism. Whilst the research in this space often refers to a 'Female Phenotype', we encourage you to re-frame this idea as an 'Internalising Phenotype', which is more inclusive of sex, sexuality, and gender diversity.
Research shows that boys and men are around 4 times more likely to receive a diagnosis of ADHD or Autism than girls and women. Women also generally receive their diagnoses later in life. Why the disparity?
As we update our conceptual models of neurodiversity, the medical field is starting to recognise that that there are significant differences in the ways neurodivergence is expressed between gender identities. Current diagnostic criteria reflect largely behavioural characteristics (i.e. external indicators) that have been developed based on the outdated stereotypes and predominantly male sample populations. Neurodivergent girls are just as likely to experience underlying difficulties in areas such as socialising, communication, attention, executive functioning, and self-regulation, but their compensatory strategies mask their challenges until later in life, when their demands exceed limited capacities (e.g. transitioning from school to university, becoming a parent).
Common sterotypes for ADHDers include images of school boys behaving in loud, aggressive, and disruptive ways. These hyperactive/impulsive symptoms get noticed more easily by parents and teachers while the inattentive symptoms that are common with girls are less obvious. Women may also have escaped a childhood diagnosis due to having strong protective influences (e.g. good grades, executive scaffolding by parents, supports), or perhaps having their symptoms mislabelled (e.g. shy, a 'daydreamer', lazy, or a 'tomboy', 'bossy', a 'Drama queen'), or misdiagnosed (e.g. anxiety, depression, Borderline).
Autistic characteristics are often compared to Raymond in the cult film Rain Man, complete with the tendency to repeat certain statements over and over; difficulty with making eye contact; extreme sensory sensitivities; a strong reliance on rituals and routines, and; overt stimming behaviours.
It is now thought that autistic girls and women might identify and learn socially 'appropriate' behaviours from others, especially peers, and that social expectations might have a greater influence on girls than boys in many cultures, thus reinforcing the displays of neurotypical behaviour and masking from a young age.
It is important to understand that YOUR experience of being neurodivergent is not defined by, nor limited to, the diagnostic criteria listed in a manual. You are more than a collection of symptoms listed in a questionnaire or a recurring criticism in your school reports.
You can still be neurodivergent, even if others say -
"You can't be Autistic, you have friends / make eye contact / are popular"
"You can't have ADHD, you're the most organised person I know"
"But you never had any issues as a child"
"Hold on, but you're smart / successful!?"
"But you don't like trains"
[insert eye roll here]
It's important to find your own way of exploring and accepting your differences. If you want or need to pursue an official diagnosis, please work with a practitioner who is experienced in recognising more internalising characteristics of ADHD and Autism.
Copyright © 2022 Time to Untangle - All Rights Reserved.
ABN: 86851083994
AHPRA: PSY0001705875
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.