ADHD Assessment in Taringa
Maybe you've spent years wondering why some things feel so much harder for you than they seem to for everyone else. Perhaps a teacher has mentioned that your child is struggling to settle, or you recognised yourself in something a friend shared about their own diagnosis. However you've arrived here, an ADHD assessment can help you understand how your brain works and what kind of support would genuinely make a difference.
At Valentia Health, our psychologists carry out ADHD assessments for children from 6 years old, teenagers and adults in our calm, un-clinical space in Taringa. There is currently no waitlist, so whenever you feel ready, we're ready to begin.
Is an ADHD assessment the right next step?
Most people come to us after noticing patterns that have been there for a long time. You might recognise some of these in yourself or your child:
Finding it hard to start tasks, or to finish them once the interest wears off
Losing track of time, appointments or belongings more often than you'd like
Feeling restless or "switched on" even when you're trying to rest
Big emotions that arrive quickly and take a while to settle
Working much harder than the people around you just to keep up
For children, difficulties at school with focus, organisation or friendships that are hard to explain
You don't need to be certain it's ADHD before reaching out. If you'd like to talk it through first, you can book an optional pre-assessment appointment, where one of our psychologists will listen to what's been happening and help you decide whether an assessment makes sense. ADHD and anxiety can look surprisingly similar, and our article on telling ADHD and anxiety apart is a good place to start if you're unsure.
What the assessment involves
Every assessment follows the same careful steps, adapted to your age and to what feels comfortable for you.
Pre-assessment appointment (optional). A chance to ask questions and check that an assessment is the right fit, charged at our standard session fee.
Clinical intake. We talk through your history, what daily life looks like and what has led you here. For children, this conversation is with parents or carers.
Psychometric testing. Structured questionnaires and tasks that explore attention, focus, executive functioning and related areas.
Observer reports. With your permission, a parent, partner or teacher completes questionnaires so we can see how things look across different parts of life.
Scoring and report writing. Your psychologist brings everything together into a clear written report.
Feedback appointment. We go through the findings with you, answer every question you have and talk about what comes next.
The whole process, from your first appointment to your feedback session, usually takes around 3 weeks.
Fees
An ADHD assessment is a fixed fee of $1,950, which covers every step above apart from the optional pre-assessment appointment. Half is paid at your first appointment and the remainder at your final appointment, so there are no unexpected costs along the way.
Assessments are generally not covered by Medicare under a Mental Health Care Plan, although some private health funds offer a rebate through extras cover, so it's worth checking with yours. You can see all of our fees here.
If you're also wondering about autism, our combined ADHD and autism assessment looks at both together in one process.
What you'll walk away with
Your report explains whether ADHD is present, the reasons behind that finding, and anything else worth knowing, such as anxiety or learning differences that can sometimes look similar. It also includes practical, strengths-based recommendations for home, school, study or work, written in plain language rather than clinical jargon.
If ADHD is diagnosed, you can share the report with your GP, your child's school or your workplace. If medication is something you'd like to explore, we'll talk you through how to take that conversation to your GP, a psychiatrist or a paediatrician.
Many people find it helpful to have some support afterwards while they make sense of a diagnosis. Our ADHD therapy is there to help you turn the recommendations into everyday changes that feel manageable, and you can read more about why therapy matters after an ADHD diagnosis.
What it's like to be assessed here
An assessment can feel like a big step, so we've done what we can to make the experience a gentle one. When you call, you'll speak with a real person who has time for your questions. Our rooms are calm and comfortable, there are snacks and cold drinks waiting, and there's free parking right out the front.
We're a neurodiversity-affirming practice, which means we see ADHD as a different way of thinking that brings real strengths alongside real challenges. You'll find us on Moggill Road in Taringa, an easy trip from Indooroopilly, Toowong, St Lucia and Kenmore.
FAQs
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Yes. Many of the people we assess are adults who were never assessed as children, often because their ADHD looked different or they found clever ways to cope. It's never too late to get answers.
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No, you don't need a referral to book an ADHD assessment with us. You're welcome to bring along any previous reports or school records that might be helpful.
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No. Psychologists can assess and diagnose ADHD, but medication is prescribed by a medical doctor. Your report can be shared with your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician to support that conversation.
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That's still valuable information. Your report will explain what may be behind the difficulties you've noticed, and we'll talk with you about the kind of support that would help most.