What to look for before booking an ADHD or autism assessment.
Not all assessments are created equal. If you're considering an ADHD or autism assessment, here's what a comprehensive, evidence-based process should actually involve, so you know what to ask before you book.
It should involve more than just questionnaires
There is no single test or questionnaire that can diagnose ADHD or autism on its own. Questionnaires provide valuable information, but they're only one piece of the puzzle. A comprehensive assessment combines questionnaires with clinical interviews, developmental history, behavioural observations, and other relevant information.
It should consider the whole picture
Many experiences associated with ADHD or autism can also occur in other conditions, as well as alongside them. A comprehensive assessment considers factors such as:
- Anxiety and social anxiety
- Trauma and attachment experiences
- Mood disorders
- Obsessive compulsive tendencies
- Learning difficulties
- Sleep difficulties
- Neurological conditions
- Personality factors and differences
- Stress and context
A good assessment should leave you understanding yourself better
The most valuable assessments don't just answer "do I meet the criteria?". Whether or not you receive a diagnosis, you should leave with a clearer picture of:
- Your strengths
- Your challenges
- How your brain works
- Recommendations for everyday life
Best-practice assessments look for both ADHD and autism
ADHD and autism frequently co-occur, and their presentations can overlap significantly, making it easy to miss one while diagnosing the other. Best-practice assessments consider both as part of the same process — which means not being charged for two separate assessments when the two conditions are being explored as differentials of each other.
It should recognise high-masking presentations
Many autistic and ADHD people spend years developing strategies to adapt to social expectations and everyday demands. For example, making eye contact, having friends, or appearing socially confident doesn't, on its own, rule out autism. A comprehensive assessment looks beyond first impressions to understand a person's lived experience, including the effort it takes to navigate everyday life.
It may involve cognitive testing
Cognitive testing can provide objective information about:
- Attention and executive functioning
- Academic skills
- Processing speed
- Reasoning
This helps identify cognitive strengths that can guide recommendations well beyond a diagnostic label. That said, there's no single cognitive profile that confirms or rules out ADHD or autism. Instead, cognitive testing contributes one piece of the broader clinical picture.
Looking for an assessment that actually meets this standard?
No Two Minds offers comprehensive, neuro-affirming ADHD and autism assessments for adults and adolescents in Mornington, Highett, and via telehealth.