Understanding ADHD Assessments and Their Benefits for Your Child and Family 

 

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect children and adolescents. It impacts how a person views the world and functions day to day. It can impact how a person regulates strong emotions, their ability to manage time, to organise themselves, and initiate tasks and complete tasks. As a result, it can have an impact a child's experience at school including learning, social interactions, and overall well-being. Getting a clear diagnosis can help to guide schools and teachers, help parents to understand their child, and highlight how to provide effective support. 

 

Benefits of ADHD Assessments 

  

ADHD assessments offer numerous benefits for both the child and their family: 

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• Accurate Diagnosis: A comprehensive assessment ensures an accurate diagnosis, which is essential for effective treatment. It helps differentiate ADHD from other conditions with similar symptoms, such as anxiety or learning disabilities. 

• Personalised Treatment Plans: With a clear diagnosis, healthcare providers can develop tailored treatment plans that address the child's specific needs. This may include behavioural therapy, and educational support. 

• Improved Academic Performance: Identifying ADHD early allows for the implementation of educational accommodations and support, helping the child succeed academically. 

• Enhanced Social Skills: ADHD assessments can identify social challenges and guide interventions to improve the child's social interactions and relationships. 

• Parental Support and Training: Assessments provide parents with valuable information and resources to better understand and support their child. Parent training programmes can offer strategies for managing ADHD symptoms at home. 

• Reduced Family Stress: Understanding the root cause of a child's behaviour can reduce family stress and improve overall family dynamics. 

• Access to Resources: A formal diagnosis can open doors to various resources and support services, including school accommodations and community programmes.

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  The ADHD Assessment Process at Elementa Psychology 

  

Our ADHD assessment process is designed to be thorough and supportive. Here’s what you can expect: 

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• Initial Consultation: We begin with an initial consultation to discuss your concerns and gather background information about your child. 

• Comprehensive Evaluation: Our assessment includes clinical interviews, behavioural rating scales, observations, psychological testing, and a medical evaluation. 

• Feedback Session: Once the assessment is complete, we schedule a feedback session to discuss the results and provide recommendations for treatment. 

• Treatment Planning: Based on the assessment findings, we develop a personalised treatment plan that may include behavioural therapy, educational support, and medication management. If we recommend medication could be helpful, then you would see your GP for a referral to a paediatrician or child psychiatrist. 

• Ongoing Support: We offer ongoing support and follow-up to monitor your child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. With the comprehensive picture of the individual young person we can provide guidance to address issues at home or school that can be implemented quickly to give the young person and their family hope and relief. 

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Working with your Support Networks  

 

We work in conjunction with your GP and if your child or adolescent receives a diagnosis of ADHD then we will recommend a treatment plan. If referral to a paediatrician or child psychiatrist is required, we will also recommend this. They can prescribe medication for mood disorders and for ADHD if needed. A thorough medical examination helps rule out other conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms. 

 

Assessments Used 

 

Tests that we might use:  

• WISC-V A&NZ (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition - Australian and New Zealand Standardised Edition) 

• Conners 4® Conners 4th Edition™: Leading ADHD Assessment for Youth 

• WIAT-III A&NZ (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test - Australian and New Zealand Standardised, Third Edition) 

  

Take the Next Step 

  

If you suspect your child may have ADHD or if you are seeking support in managing their symptoms, we are here to help. Visit our Child and Adolescent Psychology page to learn more about our services. You can also contact Elementa Psychology on 1300 737 251 to schedule a consultation and discuss how we can support your child's journey. 

  

Empowering Parents and Children 

  

Understanding and managing ADHD can make a positive difference in your child's life. Allowing a child to understand who they are as an individual and why can be very positive for their confidence as they grow. By partnering with Elementa Psychology, you can gain the knowledge and tools needed to support your child effectively. Our goal is to empower both parents and children, helping them navigate the challenges of ADHD and achieve positive outcomes. 

  

Contact Us on 1300 737251 or via our online enquiry form 

 
References 

​ADHD in children | APS 

What Is ADHD? ADD Symptoms, Statistics, Science 

Benefits of Early ADHD Diagnosis in Children 

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