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Autism and ADHD Assessments

Tara Psychology provides neurodevelopmental assessments for children (8+) and adolescents, and adults. 

Designed to understand how you or your child experience the world.

Adult Assessments

Seeking clarity and answers around autism, ADHD, or both?

Assessment isn't about chasing a label. It's about understanding yourself so life feels less confusing and more workable. It can help you:

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  • Make sense of long-standing patterns

  • Find language that actually fits your lived experience

  • Reduce the stress of uncertainty

  • Stop internalising things that were never personal failings

  • Identify supports and adjustments that genuinely help

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Many people describe this process as a turning point. Things feel clearer, lighter, and easier to navigate.

Adult Autism Assessments

Autism often goes unrecognised in adults, particularly in women and those who have developed strong masking strategies. Many reach adulthood without a clear explanation for longstanding patterns in social communication, sensory processing, or emotional regulation.​​​​​

Adult ADHD Assessments

ADHD isn't always obvious. It can appear as over-functioning, emotional intensity, or a constant sense falling behind even when things seem fine on the surface. While traits like distraction or restlessness may be present, ADHD is ultimately about how your nervous system responds to the world. â€‹

Combined Assessments

A combined autism and ADHD assessment explores how traits from both neurotypes interact in your everyday life, including patterns of attention, executive functioning, sensory processing, motivation, and social communication.​​​​​

Refer to Important Information for key considerations including details about ADHD medication.

Book an Initial Consultation

An optional initial consultation for neurodevelopmental assessments can be booked before proceeding with a full assessment. Pre-assessment questionnaires are provided beforehand, and the session focuses on gathering background information and your goals. The fee is credited toward the full assessment if you proceed.

Report Options to Match Your Needs

Choose from a Standard or Comprehensive report.

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  • Standard Report – A report option for adult assessments with clear findings with strengths, challenges, and practical recommendations. Suitable for personal insight, therapy planning, some workplace or educational accommodations, or sharing with other health professionals.

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  • Comprehensive Report – A detailed report for children, teens, and adults including assessment methods, clinical findings, functional capacity information, and specific recommendations. Ideal for funding applications (e.g., NDIS, Centrelink), or complex workplace or educational adjustments.​​​

​Assessment fees vary depending on the type of assessment and report type. See Fees and Rebates for more information.

Child & Adolescent Assessments

Every child experiences the world differently. Assessments help clarify how your child thinks, learns, and responds to their world, so support can be tailored in a way that actually works.

Support and Guidance for Your Child and Family

At Tara Psychology, assessments do more than identify challenges. They provide clarity, practical strategies, and guidance tailored to your child's strengths and needs. Families are supported throughout the process with clear communication and guidance at each stage. The process is neuroaffirming, trauma-informed, and designed so families feel informed and confident about next steps.

Why Tara Psychology

  • Comprehensive, evidence-based assessments completed with careful attention to detail

  • A neuroaffirming approach that respects each child's unique experiences

  • Clear, practical recommendations for home, school, and therapy

  • Collaborative care with families, schools, and other professionals

Autistic Young People

Autism can show up in many ways, from social differences and sensory sensitivities to intense interests or routines. It affects how your child interacts with the world and processes information. A formal assessment helps you and the school provide the right support.

ADHD in Young People

ADHD isn't just distraction or hyperactivity. It can appear as difficulty focusing, managing time, regulating emotions, or staying organised even when your child seems capable on the surface. Recognising these patterns helps you put practical strategies and supports in place.

Combined Assessments

For children and teens where traits of both autism and ADHD are present, giving a full picture for supports and strategies.

Refer to Important Information for key considerations including details about ADHD medication.

Have questions or want help deciding which assessment is right for your child?

Assessment Process​

Adult neurodevelopmental assessments are offered online for convenience and privacy. ​

Child and Adolescent assessments are typically conducted in-person; however, parent and adolescent sessions may be provided online.

 

The assessment process includes:

 

  • Screeners and questionnaires completed at home to gather initial and additional details as needed

  • A clinical interview to explore your or your child's history and current experiences

  • A clinical interview with your child, where appropriate, to explore their current experiences

  • Gathering relevant information from key people or professionals, when helpful

  • A feedback session to review findings, provide tailored recommendations, and discuss next steps.​

Clinical Interview

Gather information, explore history, and conduct diagnostic interview

Questionnaires

Complete online questionnaires in your own time

Collateral Information

Gather supporting information from carers, professionals, or reports

Report Writing

Analyse all information and develop a comprehensive report

Feedback

Discuss outcomes and recommendations

Start your assessment process.

Have questions about assessments? Our FAQs can help.

Important Information

Medication Considerations

  • Psychologists cannot prescribe medication. If you are considering ADHD medication, an assessment with a psychiatrist is required.

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NDIS Considerations

  • For NDIS purposes, a comprehensive diagnostic report with evidence of functional impact is required. In many cases, the NDIS will also ask for supporting evidence from a multidisciplinary team when the assessment is completed by a general psychologist. Please note that these documents do not guarantee funding as the NDIS assesses applications according to its own criteria.​​

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