ADHD and Autism Assessments

We are now offering ADHD and autism assessments for adults and adolescents with Jana Panagakos, Emily Bell and Rachel Barac.  

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What Are the Benefits of a Psychology Assessment for ADHD or Autism?

Psychologists are highly experienced in learning about and administering psychological assessment tools to measure thoughts, feelings, intellectual or cognitive functioning, in order to determine appropriate diagnoses.

 

The discipline of psychology is based on determining a large evidence base to confirm our clinical judgments, rather than using opinion alone. 

 

If you would like to be assessed for ADHD and you're keen to work with psychological strategies and/or treat other mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression or trauma first, then being assessed by a psychologist is recommended. 

 

When Should I See a Psychiatrist for Assessment?

A psychiatrist can provide medication, whereas a psychologist cannot. If you're keen to start medication for ADHD straight away, then you may be suited to see a psychiatrist. Typically, a psychiatric assessment, does not employ the same level of psychological tools that a psychologist does. Therefore, psychology assessments are usually longer and it requires more time. Further, Eastern Shore Psychology does employ a Continuous Processing Tool, which formally measures attention, when visual and auditory distractors are present.

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Psychiatrists may prescribe stimulants or non stimulants for ADHD. However, for autism, medication may or may not be required and would be on an individual basis, depending on symptoms that may require medication support. Typically, psychology support is of paramount importance for navigation of ADHD and/or autism and medication can be a very useful additional tool, with varying degrees of utility for each individual.

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There are two different options if you are considering assessment for ADHD ro Autism:

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For screening for ADHD and/or autism

The screening option does not provide a full clinical diagnosis, but it gives the opportunity to discuss with a clinician and complete screening tools. This will provide you with an indication whether a diagnosis is very likely. Then you have the option of completing the full assessment at a later date (e.g. when finances allow) or you might decide with your clinician, that the screening option on it's own, is enough.  This can assist you to determine a treatment pathway for ADHD/autism and also presence of other mental health issues. 

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1. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Screening:  $750

• 1.5 hour clinical interview and discussion of report

• Review of school reports if available

• Conners Questionnaire and two other ADHD screening tools

• Brief report and recommendations

 

2. Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening: $750

• 1.5 hour interview and discussion of report

• Review of school reports if available

• Four evidence based screening tools

• Complilation of a brief report and recommendations

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3. Mixed assessment for Autism and ADHD: $950

• All of the above screening items 

• 2 hour clinical interview and report discussion

• Longer report and recommendations

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For Full Clinical Diagnosis of ADHD or Autism

4. Full ADHD assessment $1500 (if screening option has been done already, an additional $750 to complete a full assessment)

• 3 sessions - 1 hour, 1.5 hours and 1 hour

• Review of school reports if available

• Structured Clinical Interview for ADHD

• Screening tools as in option 1

• MOXO - Continuous Processing Test to determine a direct neuropsychological measurement of attention and how people respond, with visual and auditory distractions

• Comprehensive report and recommendations

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5. Full autism assessment $1900 (if screening option already completed, an additional $1050 is required)

• 3 sessions - 1 hour, 2 hours, 1 hour

• Review of school reports if available

• Structured clinical interview for autism

• Screening tools as in option 2

• MOXO Continuous Processing Test to determine a direct neuropsychological measurement of attention and how people respond, with visual and auditory distractions

• Comprehensive report and recommendations

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6. Mixed Full Assessment for ADHD and Autism $2500

• 2 structured interviews

• Review of school reports if available

• Screening tools for autism and ADHD

• MOXO

• Comprehensive report and recommendations

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Medicare Rebates 

Unfortunately, there are no rebates available for ADHD assessments, but you may be able to obtain a rebate for autism assessments. Please contact Medicare or submit a claim through the MyGov app for this option. 

 

Private Health Rebates

Private health rebates may be available with Extras cover (if you have psychology sessions covered). Please note, as this stage, you will not be able to obtain rebates with Jana Panagakos, as she is a provisional psychologist. 

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