Assessment FAQs

You do not need a referral to book an appointment with a psychologist. 

Referrals are only required for therapy sessions if you have a Mental Health Care Plan (or Eating Disorders Treatment Plan) and expect to get Medicare rebates.

If diagnostic criteria are met, your report provides official documentation of diagnosis (e.g., ADHD and/or Autism), along with a structured summary of the clinical evidence supporting that conclusion. It can be used as formal evidence of diagnosis in workplace settings to support discussions about reasonable adjustments and accommodations under disability and anti-discrimination frameworks. 

For NDIS applications, eligibility is determined by the NDIA based on their own, seemingly ever-changing thresholds and evidentiary standards. While a diagnostic report can accompany your Access Request, it is strongly recommended that you gather additional supporting evidence of permanent functional impairment. This often includes a Functional Capacity Assessment completed by an Occupational Therapist. Eligibility and acceptance into the NDIS cannot be guaranteed. 

At the current time, Jacinta does not offer assessments for intelligence or intellectual disabilities, giftedness, communication disorders, specific learning disorders, tic disorders, or acquired neurocognitive disorders (e.g. resulting from a brain injury, substance use, epilepsy etc). 

 Previous assessment reports can be very helpful. They may provide useful developmental history, psychometric data, or show how symptoms have remained stable or changed over time.

Jacinta is happy to review previous reports as part of an Assessment Suitability Consultation. Depending on your needs, we may discuss:

• Providing a second opinion
• Clarifying or expanding on previous findings
• Or completing a fresh comprehensive assessment if updated documentation is required
   

Whether a new assessment is necessary will depend on the quality, scope, and purpose of the original report, as well as what you are hoping to achieve.

Please get in touch to discuss your specific situation.

 If your priority is accessing medication — particularly for ADHD — it is completely appropriate to consult a medical practitioner. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication, and there is no shame or judgement in wanting to focus on this goal. With the introduction of GP-led services for ADHD management in primary care, you might find that this is the most direct pathway.

Psychologists are typically more extensively trained in formal cognitive and behavioural assessment, developmental history-taking, and psychometric evaluation. This can be particularly important in adult Autism assessments, especially where presentations are subtle, high-masking, or overlapping with other conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma, perimenopause, and burnout. 

Many clients choose to use their diagnostic report to consult with a prescribing professional to explore treatment options. However, having a psychological assessment does not guarantee or accelerate access to medication. Prescribing decisions are made independently and with due diligence by medical practitioners.

If you would like support with referral pathways after assessment, we can usually assist with referrals to GPs or psychiatrists.

If you’re unsure which pathway is right for you, this can be discussed in an Assessment Suitability Consultation.

 Inclusion and equitable access to health care are deeply important to us at Time to Untangle, and we aim to provide respectful, culturally responsive, and neuroaffirming services wherever possible.

That said, some assessment contexts require specialised tools, adaptations, or multidisciplinary input — particularly in cases involving intellectual disability, significant communication differences, or complex support needs.

If this applies to you (or someone you are enquiring for), please contact us at admin@timetountangle.com.au so we can discuss your situation and determine whether our services are the most appropriate fit, or whether referral to a clinician with more specialised expertise would better meet your needs.

Wherever possible, informed consent is sought directly from the individual. If this is not feasible, consent is obtained from a legal representative in accordance with relevant legislation. Individuals retain the right to decline or withdraw consent at any stage.

An assessment is focused on answering a specific question: do your experiences meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD, Autism, or another condition? The goal is clarity. It involves gathering developmental history, reviewing standardised measures, considering alternative explanations, and providing a structured written report outlining the reasoning behind any conclusions.

Therapy, on the other hand, is about ongoing support and growth. It focuses on strengthening self-understanding, mapping patterns, addressing limits, and building skills in a gradual way.

Some people simply want diagnostic clarity. Others choose to engage in therapy or structured follow-up sessions afterwards to work on specific challenges or goals. And some people decide they don’t need a formal diagnosis at all — they prefer to explore how their mind works and what they need through therapy over time. These are separate services, and we can talk through what feels right for you. 

The short answer, is no. 

The 'gold-standard' assessment measures for ADHD and Autism that Jacinta uses are protected by copyright and only able to used by suitably qualified clinicians.  Psychologists have a professional and ethical obligation to protect psychological tests and test material from being compromised or misused, so actual test records are unable to be released to clients. 

 Absolutely not.

Coming prepared with notes, timelines, school reports, journal excerpts, medical records, spreadsheets, or reflections is not unusual — it tells me you’ve spent time trying to understand your patterns and needs. That kind of self-reflection can be very helpful in assessment.

You’re welcome to bring or share as much or as little as feels comfortable. I value detail and specificity, and I respect that you are the expert on your own lived experience. If you have organised information that helps illustrate your history, I’m glad to review it.

Any documents shared (for example, via email) will be stored securely in your clinical file. If there’s a large volume of background material, we may work together to prioritise what’s most relevant to your current goals.

That said, there is no expectation to prepare anything in advance. If you prefer to talk things through in session, I will guide the process and let you know if any additional documentation would be helpful.

 A formal diagnosis can only be made when the full DSM-5-TR criteria are met. If your presentation does not meet threshold for ADHD or Autism, this will be explained clearly in your report.

Not meeting full criteria does not mean your experiences are dismissed or insignificant. Many adults present with meaningful traits, subthreshold patterns, or difficulties better explained by other factors such as anxiety, trauma, burnout, hormonal changes, or physical health conditions.

Your report will outline the clinical reasoning behind the conclusion reached, including consideration of alternative or intersecting explanations where relevant.

The purpose of assessment is diagnostic clarification — not confirmation of a preconceived outcome. 

Many people still find it helpful to understand what does and does not best account for their experiences.