ADHD and Autism Assessments for Adults
Successful on paper. Struggling behind the scenes.
Find the answers you deserve.
Curious about your neurotype? You're here for answers.
You may have wondered about your neurotype for years, or the realisation could be recent. Perhaps you’ve been working harder than everyone else just to keep up, or you’ve been outwardly successful while privately running on empty.
Maybe you have started to notice patterns or seem similar behaviours in family members.
An assessment isn’t about collecting a label. It’s about understanding how your brain works so you can stop fighting against it and start working with it.
Optimise Psychology provides neuroaffirming ADHD and Autism assessments for adults aged 18 and over. You’ll gain clarity, depth, and professional documentation that genuinely reflects your experience.
Why This Assessment Is Right For You
You're here because you want real answers. Not a rushed appointment or a tick-box diagnosis, but genuine understanding of how your brain works and what that means for your life.
You might be here because:
You've always felt different and want to understand why
You're successful on the surface but exhausted from compensating or masking
Your presentation doesn't match stereotypes, so you have been overlooked
You want thorough understanding, not just a quick diagnosis
You need professional documentation for workplace accommodations or other formal purposes
You've been assessed before and felt missed, dismissed, or misunderstood
You're seeking a comprehensive assessment that may support discussions with a psychiatrist about treatment options
You're ready to understand how your brain works so you can work with it, not against it.
What you receive goes beyond a diagnostic outcome. You gain clear understanding of your neurotype, practical recommendations tailored to your life, and professional documentation prepared to clinical standards that is widely accepted for accommodations and specialist referrals.
Assessment Options
Two assessment options are available depending on the level of detail and follow-up you require. Both options use the same thorough diagnostic process. The difference is in the depth of reporting and whether a feedback session is included.
1. Diagnostic Summary Report
Best for:
Adults who want diagnostic clarity, understanding of their neurotype, and professional clinical documentation, without needing an extended written report or feedback session.
Includes:
Online questionnaires and intake forms
Comprehensive diagnostic interview of up to 3 hours
Diagnostic report as a 2 page email, delivered within 2 to 3 weeks
Time spent preparing, scoring, interpreting, and writing
Your diagnostic report includes:
Clear diagnostic outcome with explanation
Summary of key assessment findings
Practical recommendations tailored to your needs
Professional documentation prepared to clinical standards
This option is suitable if you want answers and formal confirmation, without a detailed report or feedback session.
2. Comprehensive Diagnostic Report
Best for:
Adults who need detailed documentation, deeper understanding, or professional-grade reports for workplace accommodations or other formal purposes.
Includes:
Online questionnaires and intake forms
Comprehensive diagnostic interview of up to 3 hours
Detailed diagnostic report, typically 25–35 pages, delivered within 2–3 weeks
Feedback session (50 minutes)
Time spent preparing, scoring, interpreting, and writing
Your comprehensive report includes:
Full diagnostic outcome with detailed explanation of how criteria are met
Comprehensive findings from clinical tools, observations, and interviews
Results presented in clear, accessible language
Detailed, individualised recommendations for work, relationships, daily life, and accessing support
Professional documentation suitable for workplace, educational, or legal contexts
The feedback session is included in the comprehensive report fee. During this session, we review your report together, discuss what the findings mean for you, and explore next steps.
The Assessment Process
Step 1: Intake
Book your initial intake session and complete an intake questionnaire.
The questionnaire is designed for ADHD and Autism assessment, gathering essential background information about your experiences across your lifespan, current functioning, strengths, challenges, and what you're hoping to gain from assessment.
The questionnaire is thorough and may take some time to complete thoughtfully. There are no right or wrong answers. Answer in as much or as little detail as feels manageable.
Once your intake questionnaire is returned, we'll schedule your initial appointment.
During the 50-minute intake session we discuss:
Your reason for seeking assessment
Your background and current concerns
Whether this service is the right fit for your needs
Which report option suits your goals
There's no obligation to proceed after the intake, it's an opportunity to make an informed decision together.
Medicare may cover this session if your GP has provided a Mental Health Care Plan specifically requesting an ADHD/ Autism assessment.
Step 2: Online Assessments and Diagnostic Interview
Before your diagnostic session, you’ll complete a set of online questionnaires. These help build a picture of your experiences across your life and must be returned 1–2 weeks before your diagnostic assessment. Take your time with these; some can be detailed and time-consuming.
Your diagnostic appointment is approximately 3 hours, though this may vary depending on your individual presentation. It’s a comprehensive, collaborative conversation where we explore your developmental history, how you experience the world, patterns in attention, communication, sensory processing, and the strategies you’ve developed over time.
You are the expert in your lived experience. I bring clinical expertise in ADHD and Autism. Together, we consider whether your experiences align with diagnostic criteria.
This session, alongside your intake information and assessment results, forms the basis of the diagnostic conclusions.
Step 3: Report and Feedback
Summary Report
Delivered via secure email within 2-3 weeks of your diagnostic session. No feedback session is included with this option.
Comprehensive Report
Your detailed report is delivered within 2-3 weeks of your diagnostic session, followed by a 50-minute feedback session where we:.
Review your full report together
Discuss findings and what they mean for your life
Explore practical recommendations in detail
Answer your questions
Discuss next steps and accessing support.
The feedback session focuses on understanding the findings and translating them into practical steps relevant to your day-to-day life
Assessment Fees
Initial Intake Appointment: $250
With a Mental Health Care Plan that specifically requests assessment: Out-of-pocket $151.05 | Medicare rebate $98.95
Private (no Mental Health Care Plan): $250
Diagnostic Summary Report: $1,500 + GST
Comprehensive Diagnostic Report: $2,500 + GST
Payment Terms:
A non-refundable $50 deposit secures your initial intake appointment and is credited toward your session fee
Diagnostic Summary Report: $1,000 + GST payment prior to assessments being sent, then the balance prior to delivery of the email report
Comprehensive Diagnostic Report: $2,000 + GST payment prior to assessments being sent, then balance prior to delivery of the report
Medicare notes:
Medicare rebates are only available for the intake session when your GP's Mental Health Care Plan specifically requests an assessment and the report includes therapeutic recommendations
The diagnostic assessment session and report writing fees are not eligible for Medicare rebates
Private health insurance does not cover these assessment services
Important Information
Combined ADHD and Autism assessment
Both ADHD and Autism are assessed as standard practice. These conditions commonly co-occur, and assessing for both ensures a complete understanding of your neurotype. ADHD-only or Autism-only assessments are not offered.
Medication
This is an assessment-only service. A diagnostic report does not guarantee access to medication. Prescribing requires consultation with a psychiatrist or, in Queensland, an authorised specialist GP.
Telehealth
All appointments are conducted online via secure video. You will need a private space, a reliable internet connection, and a device with camera and microphone.
Therapy services
I do not provide ongoing therapy specific to ADHD or Autism. I do provide therapy for other mental health concerns.
Report acceptance and NDIS
Reports are prepared to professional clinical standards and are generally accepted for workplace and educational accommodations. NDIS requirements vary. If NDIS access is important, this should be discussed during the intake appointment.
Crisis support
This is not a crisis service. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, contact your GP, attend your nearest emergency department, or call 000.
Hi, I'm Sal Lauder
Registered Psychologist
I bring a unique perspective to ADHD and Autism assessments, shaped by both clinical training and real-world understanding of professional environments. My background includes extensive work with high-performing adults who often present with subtle or masked neurodivergent traits.
I've completed specialised training in neuroaffirming ADHD and Autism assessment practices, with a focus on recognising presentations that are often missed, particularly in adults who have developed sophisticated compensating strategies throughout their lives.
My approach is thorough, collaborative, and grounded in respect for your lived experience. I understand the complexity of seeking assessment as an adult, especially when you've been successful despite the challenges you've faced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a GP referral?
No, a referral is not required. However, if you have a Mental Health Care Plan that specifically mentions assessment, your intake and feedback sessions may be eligible for Medicare rebates.
How long does the process take from start to finish?
From your initial intake appointment to receiving your report, the process typically takes 4-6 weeks depending on which report option you choose and current scheduling.
What if I've been assessed before but didn't receive a diagnosis?
This is common, particularly for adults whose presentation doesn't match stereotypes or who have developed strong compensatory strategies. My assessment approach is thorough and designed to recognise presentations that may have been previously missed or misunderstood. We can discuss your previous assessment experience during the intake session.
Can I bring a support person to my assessment?
Yes, you're welcome to have a support person present during your sessions if that would be helpful. Please let me know during the intake appointment if you'd like to arrange this.
What if I'm not sure whether assessment is right for me?
The intake appointment is designed to help you make an informed decision. We'll discuss your experiences, goals, and whether assessment is the right step. There's no obligation to proceed after the intake session.
Why do you only offer combined ADHD and Autism assessments?
ADHD and Autism frequently co-occur and share overlapping traits. Assessing for both conditions ensures nothing is missed and provides a complete understanding of your neurotype. This is considered best practice and is included in the standard fee at no additional cost.
Can I access therapy after my assessment?
I provide therapy for a range of mental health concerns. However, I do not provide ongoing therapy specifically for ADHD or Autism. If you're interested in therapy for other concerns, please visit my Therapy page for more information. For ADHD/ Autism specific therapy I am able to refer you to an appropriately trained psychologist.
What's the difference between the Diagnostic Summary and Comprehensive Diagnostic reports?
Both options include the same thorough diagnostic process. The Diagnostic Summary provides your diagnostic outcome with key findings and brief recommendations in a concise format (4-8 pages). The Comprehensive Diagnostic Report provides detailed documentation (25-35 pages) with in-depth findings, comprehensive recommendations, and includes a feedback session. Choose based on your documentation needs and whether you want the guided discussion of a feedback session.
Ready to Begin?
Taking the first step toward understanding yourself is significant. If you're ready to explore whether an ADHD or Autism assessment is right for you, I can help.
Contact Optimise Psychology to book your initial intake appointment.
Phone: +61 416 008 105
Online Enquiry Form
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