What are the Symptoms of ADHD?

Symptoms of ADHD must have been present before the age of 12 and cause difficulties in more than one setting. For example, symptoms cannot just occur within a school environment. They must also occur to a degree that is inconsistent with the person’s developmental stage.

Inattentive Type
Inattention refers to difficulties remaining on task, focusing, and organising. A person with Inattentive ADHD may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Struggling to give close attention to details or making careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or during other activities. 

• Having difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities. 

• Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (e.g., mind seems elsewhere).

• Finding it hard to follow through with instructions or finishing schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., starts tasks but loses focus or is easily sidetracked).

• Struggling with organisation. 

• Avoiding, disliking, or reluctance to engage in tasks which require sustained mental effort.

• Losing things that are important or required for tasks or activities. 

• Being easily distracted.

• Often forgetful.
   

Hyperactive/Impulsive Type

Hyperactivity means excessive movement such as fidgeting, high energy levels, difficulty sitting still, and being talkative. Impulsivity refers to making decisions or taking actions without considering consequences. A person with Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD may experience some of the following symptoms: 

• Fidgeting or taping hands or feet.

• Squirming in their seat. 

• Leaving situations when sitting is expected or required (e.g., leaving desk at work or school).

• Running or climbing in situations where it is inappropriate (in adults or adolescents this may show up as a feeling of restlessness).

• Having difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly. 

• Appearing to be ‘on the go’ as if ‘driven by a motor’.

• Excessive talking.

• Interrupting people before they have finished speaking (e.g., blurting out answers before a question has been completed, finishing people’s sentences, struggling to wait for their turn in conversation). 

• Finding it difficult to wait their turn. 

• Intruding or interrupting other people (e.g., butting into conversation, games, or activities; using people’s things without permission, taking over other people’s tasks).
   

Combined Type

This type of ADHD is diagnosed when the criteria for both Inattentive and Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD are both met.

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What Causes ADHD?
The specific causes of ADHD are not fully understood, but research indicates potential links to both genetic and non-genetic factors. Individuals with ADHD often exhibit anatomical differences in their brains, and a family history of ADHD suggests a possible genetic influence. Additionally, non-genetic factors, including birthing challenges like low birth weight, premature birth, exposure to toxins, and maternal stress during pregnancy, may contribute to the development of ADHD. 

 

TREATMENT

What Treatment is Available for ADHD?
The focus of ADHD treatment is to more effectively managing the severity of symptoms so that daily functioning in home, school, and/or work environments is improved. The recommended treatment approach involves a multimodal strategy, incorporating both pharmacological and psychological interventions to optimise outcomes. Various medications, including stimulant and non-stimulant options, are available, and individuals can explore these treatments with either a paediatrician or psychiatrist.

 

Psychological interventions commonly involve lifestyle adjustments to reduce symptoms, parent, and family training (particularly for children and adolescents), and cognitive-behavioural interventions for individuals aged 5 years and above. Psychological treatment plans are Tailored to address each individual's specific needs and objectives.

ADHD Assessment Process

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ADHD ASSESSMENT PROCESS 

CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS

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Stage 1: Initial Consultation and Diagnostic Interview (1 hour)
Upon booking your child’s assessment, you will be sent a background questionnaire to provide information regarding your child’s development and medical history which will be required to be complete prior to the initial consult. As a part of this process, you will also need to provide copies of your child’s relevant formal assessment reports and school reports. These will be reviewed by your assessing psychologist prior to meeting. Only parents will attend the initial consultation and diagnostic interview which will focus on an in-depth psychosocial assessment if there is enough evidence that indicates an ADHD assessment is required, then a formal assessment will be conducted. 

 

Stage 2: Administration of Standardised Questionnaires
Following the initial consultation, standardised questionnaires will be sent out for completion. These usually need to be completed by a parent, teacher, and the child separately. 

 

Stage 3: Brief Interview with Child, Cognitive Assessment, and Computerised Attention Task (2 hours)
A Brief interview with your child will be conducted to assess their perception of their own difficulties. Following this, your child will complete a cognitive assessment and computerised attention task to assess their:

• Verbal Comprehension 

• Visual Spatial Abilities

• Fluid Reasoning

• Working Memory

• Processing Speed 

• Cognitive Proficiency

• Visual Inattentiveness 

• Visual Impulsivity

• Visual Sustained Attention

 

Stage 4: Academic Achievement Testing (2 Hours)
An assessment of academic skills will be conducted to assess for potential learning difficulties that may coincide with ADHD or better explain your child’s difficulties. Academic tests will be selected as required based on your child’s history and presentation. Academic assessments may provide information about the following academic skills: 

• Oral Language Skills (Listening Comprehension and Oral Expression)

• Early Literacy Skills

• Basic Reading 

• Reading Comprehension and Fluency 

• Written Expression 

• Mathematic Calculation and Problem Solving

• Math Fluency

 

Stage 5: Assessment Feedback with Report and Recommendations (1 Hour)
Following the assessment, you will attend a feedback session where you will be provided with the formal assessment report. The results and outcome of the assessment will be discussed, and you will be advised whether a diagnosis is appropriate or if there are other explanations for your child’s concerns. Further recommendations and treatment options will be provided and discussed.

If you think your child may benefit from an ADHD Assessment, please contact our administration staff to book an assessment and discuss fees. 

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ADHD ASSESSMENT PROCESS 

ADULTS

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Stage 1: Initial Consultation
Upon booking your assessment, you will be sent a background questionnaire to provide information regarding your own childhood development and medical history which will be required to be completed prior to the initial consult. This will be reviewed by your assessing psychologist prior to meeting. The aim of this appointment will be to conduct an in-depth psychosocial assessment and understand whether there is enough evidence to support conducting a formal assessment. Should this be the case, then the assessment will proceed to the next stage. 

 

Stage 2: Administration of Standardised Questionnaires and Collection of Supporting Documents
Following the initial consultation, standardised questionnaires will be sent out for completion. These will usually be various self-report questionnaires and a questionnaire to be completed by an ‘observer’. An observer is somebody in your life who can provide accurate information about you and would best know how your concerns affect you. This may be a parent, partner, colleague, supervisor, friend, or anther household member. Your psychologist will work with you to determine the best person to complete this questionnaire for you.

You will also be provided with a document submission link to provide copies of any relevant supporting documentation such as school reports or formal assessment reports. You may provide hard copies of these documents if digital versions are unavailable. These will be returned to you in the final stage of the assessment.

 

Stage 3: Diagnostic Clinical Interviews and Computerised Attention Task (2 hours +)
A structured diagnostic interview will be completed to accurately assess ADHD symptoms currently experienced and during childhood. Your psychologist will also organise a time to conduct an interview with a family member or close friend who knew you in childhood to collect additional information about any symptoms you may have experienced in childhood. You will also complete a computerised task which will provide information regarding visual inattentiveness, impulsivity, and sustained attention.

 

Stage 4: Assessment Feedback with Report and Recommendations (1 Hour)
Following the assessment, you will attend a feedback session where you will be provided with the formal assessment report. The results and outcome of the assessment will be discussed, and you will be advised whether a diagnosis is appropriate or if there are other explanations for your concerns. Further recommendations and treatment options will be provided and discussed.

 

Additional Testing
The Mind Clinic assessments are developed to tailor to each individuals’ unique presentations. In some cases, further testing (such as intellectual or academic skill assessments) may be required to best understand your concerns. This will be determined and discussed in the initial consultation and may require additional stages of testing.

If you think you may benefit from an ADHD Assessment, please contact our administration staff to book an initial consultation and discuss fees.