ADHD & Autism Assessments

A Neuro-Affirming Approach to Understanding Your Brain

At Northside Psychology, we provide comprehensive, neuro-affirming assessments for ADHD and autism. These are not just diagnostic procedures—they're opportunities to understand how your brain works, uncover your strengths, and access the support you need to thrive.

Why Get an Assessment?

Many individuals seek assessments for clarity, self-understanding, access to workplace or academic support, or simply to validate lifelong experiences. Whether you're questioning if you're neurodivergent or you've known for a while but want a formal diagnosis, our process is designed with care, empathy, and respect.

Our Neuro-Affirming Philosophy

We believe that being neurodivergent isn’t something to be “fixed”—it's a natural and valuable part of human diversity. Our assessments focus not only on challenges but also on your strengths, coping strategies, and the unique ways you engage with the world. We avoid deficit-based language and instead seek to celebrate neurodiversity, helping you gain insight into yourself in a way that is empowering and constructive.

Adults Who Mask or Camouflage

Many adults—particularly women, nonbinary individuals, and people assigned female at birth—go undiagnosed for years due to masking or camouflaging their traits. This involves consciously or unconsciously mimicking neurotypical behaviours in order to “fit in,” often leading to exhaustion, burnout, anxiety, or depression.

Our assessments take these experiences into account. We recognise the impact of lifelong masking and structure our approach to make sure your internal experiences are heard, not just your outward behaviour.

What To Expect

Our Assessment Tools

Fees and Payment Structure

What to Expect

Our assessment process is neuro-affirming and trauma-informed. It includes:

Questionnaires and self-report tools tailored to neurodivergent experiences
1:1 interview session/s (online or in-person) exploring developmental, social, emotional, and sensory patterns
Your choice of:
- A concise one-page summary letter, ideal for self-understanding or light documentation needs
- A comprehensive diagnostic report including assessment findings, interpretation, and tailored recommendations
Optional follow-up support to help with processing the results, planning next steps, or accessing referrals (an additional $250 per session) with the potential to continue seeing the psychologist for ongoing neurodiversity affirming psychological therapy.

Our Assessment Tools

We use evidence-based, person-centred tools that allow us to explore neurodivergent experiences in a way that is affirming, collaborative, and respectful.

Autism Assessment – MIGDAS-2

For autism assessments, we use the MIGDAS-2 (Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition). This is a qualitative, sensory-based interview tool that supports a neurodiversity-affirming approach. Unlike traditional assessments that can feel clinical or rigid, the MIGDAS-2:

Focuses on your inner experiences rather than just outward behaviours
Encourages rich, open conversation about sensory preferences, communication styles, and thinking patterns
Is particularly well-suited to adults who mask or camouflage their autistic traits
Offers a collaborative and respectful process that centres your perspective

The MIGDAS-2 can be used alongside developmental history, self-report tools, and functional observations to form a well-rounded understanding of your profile.

ADHD Assessment – DIVA-5

For ADHD assessments, we use the DIVA-5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults, Fifth Edition). This is a structured clinical interview based on the DSM-5 criteria for ADHD, and it:

Covers both childhood and adult symptoms, which is essential for accurate diagnosis
Looks at how attention, impulsivity, and executive functioning impact different areas of life—work, relationships, daily routines
Helps clarify the presence of ADHD even in individuals with high coping skills or compensatory strategies
Is often supplemented by self-report scales and, when appropriate, observer reports

Both tools are used flexibly depending on your needs, background, and goals, and we take care to make the process comfortable, collaborative, and validating.

Please note:

Psychologists cannot prescribe medication
If you are seeking a prescription for ADHD medication (such as stimulants), you will still need to undergo an assessment with a psychiatrist, even if you have received a diagnosis through our service. Your psychologist’s report may be helpful for this process, but a psychiatrist will conduct their own evaluation before prescribing.

Fees and Payment Structure

We aim to make assessments as accessible as possible while upholding quality and thoroughness. Our fee structure is outlined below:

Standard Adult ADHD or Autism Assessment: $800

Includes a single 3-hour session, featuring a comprehensive one-on-one clinical interview.
ND affirming letter only
- For those who want recognition of traits, ideal for self-understanding or light documentation needs
Additional diagnostic report $750
If additional session is needed, this is charged at $250

Combined ADHD + Autism Assessment: $1400

Includes 2 assessment sessions (approximately 6 hours)
ND affirming letter only
- For those who want recognition of traits, ideal for self-understanding or light documentation needs
Combined diagnostic report $1000
- For those wanting a more comprehensive report including assessment findings, interpretation, and tailored recommendations
Option for post-diagnostic support sessions ($250 per session)

Payment Options:

Deposit of $500 required to secure the assessment
Pay in Full: Due before the first assessment session

Please note:

ADHD and autism assessments conducted by psychologists are not covered by Medicare. Unfortunately, rebates are not available for these assessments at this time.
No referral is required from your GP - self-referral is sufficient
Given the frequent overlap between autism and ADHD, we recommend a combined assessment that looks at both conditions.

Important Information About Assessment Suitability

In accordance with the National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism and ADHD in Australia, some individuals may be better supported by a multidisciplinary (team-based) assessment rather than an individual assessment with a sole practitioner.

This typically includes people with more complex mental health histories, such as:

Experiences of psychosis
Substance use concerns
Multiple or significant co-occurring conditions
Extensive involvement with public mental health services for various concerns

If any of the above apply to you, we kindly ask that you contact us before booking. This allows us to review your history and determine whether her service is the most clinically appropriate option for your needs. In more complex cases, we may recommend an assessment through a multidisciplinary team, such as those available through local public health services.

Thank you for your understanding and support in ensuring every individual receives the most appropriate and effective care.

If you have any questions about the assessment process or would like to book in for an assessment, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to support you in discovering and affirming your unique neurotype.