Preparing for your AuDHD assessment

Resource — For Individuals

Preparing for your AuDHD assessment

Getting assessed for autism and ADHD as an adult can feel overwhelming. Long waitlists, confusing referral pathways, and not knowing what to expect all add to the stress. This guide walks you through the process in Australia — from deciding to pursue assessment to understanding your results.

Do I need a formal assessment?

Self-identification is valid and meaningful. Many AuDHD adults find that simply understanding their neurology — even without a formal diagnosis — is transformative. However, a formal diagnosis can open doors to NDIS funding, workplace accommodations, medication access, and recognition within healthcare systems.

You might want a formal assessment if you want access to ADHD medication (which requires a psychiatrist diagnosis in most states), you are applying for or reviewing NDIS support, you need formal documentation for workplace or educational accommodations, your GP or psychologist needs a diagnosis to guide treatment, or you personally need the clarity and validation that a formal diagnosis provides.

There is no wrong reason to seek assessment, and no wrong reason to wait. This is your journey, on your timeline.

Finding the right assessor

This is arguably the most important step. Not all psychologists and psychiatrists understand AuDHD as a dual presentation. An assessor experienced in one condition may inadvertently screen out the other.

What to look for

An assessor who explicitly lists experience with both autism and ADHD in adults. Someone who understands how the two conditions interact and mask each other. An assessor who is aware of the female and non-binary presentation of AuDHD. Someone who values self-report and lived experience alongside standardised tools. Ideally, an assessor who is neurodivergence-affirming rather than deficit-focused.

Questions to ask before booking

Do you assess for both autism and ADHD simultaneously? How many AuDHD adults have you assessed? Do you use a multi-method approach (not just questionnaires)? Are you aware of masking and how it affects assessment? What does the assessment involve and how long does it take? What is the total cost, and what Medicare rebates are available?

If an assessor dismisses your concerns, refuses to assess for both conditions, or insists that you "don't look autistic," they are not the right assessor for you. It is okay to seek a second opinion.

The referral pathway

Step 1: See your GP

Start by booking a longer appointment with your GP. Explain that you are seeking assessment for possible autism and ADHD. Your GP can provide a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which gives you Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist. For ADHD medication, you will need a psychiatrist referral, which your GP can also provide.

Step 2: Choose your assessment path

Psychologist assessment: Psychologists can diagnose both autism and ADHD. Fees typically range from $1,500 to $3,500 for a comprehensive dual assessment, with partial Medicare rebate available under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication.

Psychiatrist assessment: Psychiatrists can diagnose and prescribe medication. Private psychiatrist fees range from $400 to $1,200 per appointment, with higher Medicare rebates. Some psychiatrists do comprehensive AuDHD assessment; others focus primarily on ADHD and may refer to a psychologist for the autism component.

Public system: Public adult neurodevelopmental assessment services exist in some states but waitlists are typically 12–24 months or longer. Ask your GP about local options.

Cost reality: Comprehensive AuDHD assessment is expensive, and Medicare coverage is insufficient. AUDHD Australia is actively advocating for improved Medicare rebates for neurodevelopmental assessment. In the meantime, some assessors offer payment plans, and some community organisations offer assessment subsidies.

Preparing your history

The most valuable thing you can bring to your assessment is a detailed personal history. Assessors need to understand your experiences across your lifespan, not just your current difficulties. Start collecting this information well before your appointment.

Developmental history

If possible, gather information from your parents or caregivers about your early development. Were there speech or language differences? Sensory sensitivities? Difficulty with transitions? Intense interests? Social differences? If your parents are unavailable, school reports can be surprisingly informative — teachers often documented traits that were not recognised at the time.

Current functioning

Write down your current difficulties across key areas: work or study, relationships, daily living tasks, sensory experiences, emotional regulation, and social functioning. Be specific. Instead of "I struggle at work," try "I cannot filter background noise in the open-plan office, I forget verbal instructions within minutes, and I need two hours of solitude after work to recover."

Strengths and special interests

Assessment is not just about deficits. Document your strengths, passions, and the areas where your brain excels. Special interests, hyperfocus abilities, pattern recognition, honesty, and other neurodivergent strengths are relevant to the assessment and help build a complete picture.

Previous diagnoses and treatments

List any previous mental health diagnoses, medications tried, and therapy experiences. Note what helped, what did not, and what was never fully explained. A history of "treatment-resistant" anxiety or depression is a common AuDHD red flag that a good assessor will recognise.

What to expect on the day

A comprehensive AuDHD assessment typically takes 3–6 hours, sometimes split across multiple sessions. It usually includes a detailed clinical interview (the most important part), standardised questionnaires about autism and ADHD traits, possibly cognitive testing (IQ, executive function, processing speed), review of any developmental history or informant reports, and feedback and discussion of findings.

The assessment may feel intense, tiring, or emotional. That is normal. You are being asked to reflect on a lifetime of experiences through a new lens. Take breaks if you need them. Bring water and a snack. It is okay to ask for clarification, to take your time answering, or to say "I need a moment."

Assessment tip: Try not to mask during the assessment. This is easier said than done — many AuDHD adults mask automatically. But try to let yourself be genuine rather than performing "normal." If you notice yourself masking, it can be helpful to say so: "I'm aware I'm masking right now."

Understanding your results

Your assessment report should clearly state whether you meet criteria for autism, ADHD, both, or neither. It should explain the reasoning, describe how the conditions interact in your specific case, and provide practical recommendations.

If you receive a dual diagnosis, the report should address both conditions as an integrated whole, not as two separate diagnoses. If you are diagnosed with one condition but not the other, ask the assessor to explain why. If you disagree with the findings, you are entitled to seek a second opinion.

A diagnosis is a tool for self-understanding, not a label that defines you. It opens doors to support, language for your experience, and community. What you do with it is entirely up to you.

This resource is published by AUDHD Australia as general guidance for adults considering AuDHD assessment. It does not constitute medical advice. Assessment pathways and costs may vary by state and territory. Last updated April 2026.