What Happens in an ADHD Assessment? A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents
If you're concerned your child may have ADHD, you're not alone — and you're already doing something important by seeking answers. ADHD can affect a child's ability to focus, regulate emotions, follow instructions, and succeed in school and social settings. But with the right assessment, families can gain clarity, support, and a plan for moving forward.
At Gayton Psychology, we specialise in conducting comprehensive ADHD assessments for children and adolescents. Our approach is warm, thorough, and designed to give both parents and schools the insight they need to support your child effectively.
Here’s exactly what to expect from the ADHD assessment process.
🗓️ 1. Parent Intake Interview
Our process begins with a parent-only appointment, either in-person or via telehealth. This session helps us gather important background information and understand your concerns in detail.
You’ll be asked about:
Developmental milestones (e.g., walking, talking, toilet training)
School behaviour and academic progress
Social interactions, friendships, and routines at home
Medical history and sleep patterns
Family history of ADHD, learning difficulties, or neurodivergence
💡 Tip: Bring any existing reports or school communication you have — it can help us build a more complete picture.
🧾 2. Parent and Teacher Questionnaires
To assess behaviour across settings, both parents and teachers complete a series of standardised rating scales. These are critical for identifying patterns of attention difficulty, impulsivity, emotional regulation, and executive functioning challenges.
Some of the tools we may use include:
Conners 4 (newest ADHD-specific screener)
Young DIVA 5 (ADHD semi-structured interview)
Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-2)
These questionnaires are evidence-based and norm-referenced, meaning your child’s responses are compared to typical age-matched peers.
🧒 3. Direct Assessment with Your Child
The core of the ADHD evaluation involves your child completing a range of structured tasks designed to assess cognitive, behavioural, and executive functioning abilities. These sessions are conducted 1:1 with a trained psychologist in a supportive and engaging environment.
Typical tools include:
🧩 WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition)
Measures a child’s cognitive profile: working memory, processing speed, verbal comprehension, visual-spatial skills, and fluid reasoning.
Helpful in ruling out intellectual delays that may present similarly to ADHD.
🧠 WIAT-III (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – Third Edition), selected subtests
Measures a child’s academic performance in the areas of reading, writing, spelling, maths.
Helpful in ruling out learning difficulties that may present similarly to ADHD.
Assessments are usually completed across one or two sessions, depending on your child’s age, engagement, and fatigue levels. Breaks are provided, and sessions are paced to make the experience as positive as possible.
👀 4. Behavioural Observation
During the assessment, we closely observe your child’s:
Ability to follow instructions
Behavioural regulation (e.g., fidgeting, distractions, impulsivity)
Motivation, frustration tolerance, and task persistence
Social engagement and communication (especially if there are broader neurodevelopmental concerns)
These observations help us understand how your child approaches tasks — not just how they score.
📘 5. Comprehensive Report & Feedback Session
Within 6-8 weeks of completing the assessment, we schedule a feedback session with you. During this session:
We explain the findings in clear, accessible language.
We’ll discuss whether your child meets diagnostic criteria for ADHD (Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive, or Combined Type).
We provide insight into how their cognitive and behavioural profile may be impacting their daily life.
You’ll receive a detailed written report containing:
Standardised test results and interpretation
Strengths and areas for support
Diagnosis (if applicable)
Recommendations for school and home
Referrals (e.g. occupational therapy, speech support)
We also offer guidance around discussing results with your child’s school or paediatrician, and provide additional support if needed for learning plans (IEPs, ILPs).
🧭 6. What Happens Next?
A diagnosis is not the end of the journey — it’s the beginning of targeted support.
We’ll provide:
Strategies tailored to your child’s unique needs
Support navigating school accommodations and referrals
Advice on therapy options and parenting strategies
Our goal is to help you feel confident, informed, and empowered to advocate for your child.
📍 Final Thoughts
An ADHD assessment can feel like a big step — but it’s a meaningful one. It can unlock access to support, improve your child’s school experience, and help you as a parent better understand how your child experiences the world.
If you're ready to begin, Gayton Psychology offers child ADHD assessments across Melbourne. We also work closely with schools, GPs, and paediatricians to ensure collaborative support for your family.