Formal Assessments
referrals
ASSESSMENT METHODS
ASSESSMENT METHODS
Jacinta offers diagnostic assessments for:
- Anyone looking to confirm or review a diagnosis of ADHD and/or Autism. This includes adults who were diagnosed as children and wanting to re-evaluate their experiences of these conditions, as well as adults who have never been formally assessed but are curious as to whether their characteristics f
Jacinta offers diagnostic assessments for:
- Anyone looking to confirm or review a diagnosis of ADHD and/or Autism. This includes adults who were diagnosed as children and wanting to re-evaluate their experiences of these conditions, as well as adults who have never been formally assessed but are curious as to whether their characteristics fit with either /both of these neurotypes.
- We welcome adults who HAVE been formally assessed, but disagree with their results and would like a second opinion.
- Referrals from GPs and psychiatrists before commencing a medication trial, or to explore co-occurring conditions.
- People interested in gaining a better understanding of their neurodivergent strengths and differences.
- Adults requiring a report to help access accommodations for their study or place of employment.
Reports are typically around 20-30 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.
ASSESSMENT METHODS
ASSESSMENT METHODS
ASSESSMENT METHODS
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.
READY TO UNTANGLE?
ASSESSMENT METHODS
READY TO UNTANGLE?
Assessments are conducted in stages.
- You can self-refer for an assessment by emailing or calling. You can choose to be formally assessed for ADHD or Autism, or both (recommended). The deposit must be paid to reserve your booking.
- Leading up to your assessment, Jacinta will email you questionnaires to complete online that have been indivi
Assessments are conducted in stages.
- You can self-refer for an assessment by emailing or calling. You can choose to be formally assessed for ADHD or Autism, or both (recommended). The deposit must be paid to reserve your booking.
- Leading up to your assessment, Jacinta will email you questionnaires to complete online that have been individually selected for your diagnostic needs.
- You will meet with Jacinta for 1 or 2 telehealth (video consultation) sessions. These interview sessions are usually 1.5-3 hours long and are quite relaxed conversations. You are welcome to have a support person join you for part or all of these sessions if you would like. You may be asked to complete another one or two questionnaires after the consultation.
- Your report will be prepared within 4 weeks of completing your assessment interviews. The admin team will let you know when it's ready and help you to book your telehealth Feedback Session with Jacinta. You will pay the balance of your fee.
- During the Feedback Session, Jacinta will explain the results, discuss the diagnoses (if applicable), and answer your questions. She will talk about options for follow-up psychoeducation, therapy, and support services to help you make sense of your neurotype.
ADHD or Autism or both?
Ready to go but unsure which way to lean?
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.
PACKAGES
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!