Diagnostic Assessment

ADHD Assessment

Comprehensive ADHD diagnostic assessment to identify hyperactive/impulsive, inattentive, or combined presentations.

Child-Psychological-Assessment
Children & Teens
School-age and adolescents
WISC-V · Conners-4 · BRIEF-2
Cognitive + ADHD-specific measures
Reports in 2-3 Weeks
Comprehensive written report
Direct Booking
No referral required

About

About this Assessment

Our Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessment confirms whether criteria for ADHD are met and identifies the specific presentation — Hyperactive/Impulsive, Inattentive, or Combined (both). Understanding your child’s ADHD profile helps guide effective strategies at home and school.

The assessment involves administration of a cognitive assessment (usually the WISC-V), ADHD-specific questionnaires (the Conners-4), and an assessment of executive function using the BRIEF-2. We also review everyday living skills using the ABAS-3. A full written report of results and recommendations is provided.

A follow-up appointment can be added to review the outcome and discuss steps moving forward, including whether a referral to a paediatrician for medication management may be beneficial.

Welcoming therapy room at Caterpillar Clinic in Cairns with a blue couch and children's play area

At a glance

Service summary

  • Format: Cognitive (WISC-V) + ADHD questionnaires + executive function
  • Duration: 1.5–2 hours direct + parent/teacher questionnaires
  • Report: 2-3 weeks after final session
  • Deposit: $200 non-refundable at booking
  • Follow-up: Optional results & planning session

The Process

What to Expect

A clear, supportive process from your first call through to the final written report.

1

Assessment Components

  • Cognitive Assessment (WISC-V) — A direct assessment with your child lasting 1.5 to 2 hours, measuring cognitive abilities across multiple domains (verbal comprehension, fluid reasoning, visual spatial, working memory, processing speed).
  • Conners-4 Questionnaires — Completed by parents and teachers to assess ADHD-related behaviours across settings.
  • BRIEF-2 — Executive function assessment completed by parents and teachers, measuring planning, organisation, and impulse control.
  • ABAS-3 — A measure of everyday living skills to evaluate any impact of ADHD.
2

Preparation

  • Ensure your child is well-rested and has eaten before the assessment.
  • Continue any regular medications at their normal time.
  • Send through any previous reports from school, paediatrician, or other professionals.
  • Teacher questionnaires will be distributed — the teacher must know the child well, for at least three months.
3

Report & Follow-up

A comprehensive report is provided within 2-3 weeks, including recommendations for home and school strategies. Reports must be paid in full before release.

Indicators

Who is this for?

An ADHD assessment may be helpful if your child shows these patterns across multiple settings (home and school) and they are impacting daily functioning.

  • Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks or during conversations.
  • Frequent careless mistakes in schoolwork.
  • Difficulty organising tasks, managing time, or following through on instructions.
  • Excessive fidgeting, squirming, or difficulty staying seated.
  • Talking excessively or interrupting others frequently.
  • Difficulty waiting their turn.
  • Seeming not to listen when spoken to directly.
  • Losing things necessary for tasks (school supplies, lunchboxes).

Access

Referrals & Medicare

ADHD assessments are not eligible for Medicare rebates. Please contact us to discuss your options.

How to Access

  • Direct referral — contact us to book.
  • Referral from your GP or paediatrician.

A non-refundable $200 deposit is required. For full fee information, visit our Fees & Rebates page.

Medication Management

Medication management for ADHD is handled by paediatricians and/or GPs, not our clinic. We can provide a referral if needed following diagnosis.

Explore more services

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Frequently Asked Questions

ADHD assessment in Cairns — common questions from families.

What does an ADHD assessment involve?
A comprehensive ADHD assessment includes cognitive testing (WISC-V), Conners-4 rating scales completed by parents and teachers, the BRIEF-2 measure of executive function, ABAS-3 adaptive functioning, and a detailed diagnostic report.
How much does an ADHD assessment cost in Cairns?
A comprehensive ADHD assessment is $1,600, including Conners-4, BRIEF-2, ABAS-3 and cognitive testing with a full diagnostic report. A non-refundable deposit of $200 is required at booking. No Medicare rebate currently applies to ADHD assessments, however NDIS funding may cover the cost for participants.
Do I need a referral for an ADHD assessment?
No referral is needed to book an assessment. If medication is later being considered, the diagnosis can be confirmed with a paediatrician or psychiatrist.
Can ADHD be assessed alongside autism or learning difficulties?
Yes. Children often have overlapping needs, and our assessments can consider ADHD, autism and learning difficulties together where appropriate.
What ages do you assess for ADHD?
We assess children and adolescents. In-person testing, including the WISC-V and teacher report forms, is an important part of an accurate child ADHD assessment.