ADHD Assessments
Are you concerned about your child’s inability to stay on task? Or their low attention span? Perhaps they’re perpetually on the go, often disrupting others with their constant movement and loud talking?
While these are not unusual behaviours in young people, if they’re happening often and are impacting your child’s daily life, they could be a sign of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
ADHD is a very common neurodevelopmental disorder which affects children as well as adults. While ADHD is a lifelong condition, there are evidence-based strategies that may help people living with ADHD manage their symptoms and improve daily functioning. With the right support, children can learn strategies that help them manage their symptoms and thrive in daily life.
An early diagnosis is preferable, so if you have any concerns about your child or adolescent, psychologists experienced in ADHD at Sydney Children’s Practice can help. Our award-winning Sydney psychologists have broad experience working with young people and our two practices in Glebe or Stanmore offer a nurturing and safe space for families.
From ADHD screening, and formal ADHD assessment and diagnosis through to practical recommendations, treatment strategies and interventions, our clinicians draw on their training, tools and experience to guide your family through every step.
Get in touch to book your child’s ADHD Assessment and let’s get started with the important first step of establishing whether or not they have ADHD, so that your family can move forward positively.
WHY CHOOSE SYDNEY CHILDREN'S PRACTICE FOR YOUR CHILDS ADHD ASSESSMENT
When you book your Child ADHD Assessment & Diagnosis at our Sydney psychology practice, you can feel confident knowing that you and your child will be supported by a caring and experienced team.
All our clinicians have a special interest in child and adolescent psychology and are well versed in our internationally recognised testing and assessment tools. We also keep up-to-date with the latest research and the National Australian ADHD guidelines to inform our processes and to ensure our assessments are aligned with best practice.
We take a personalized, evidence-based approach. Each child is seen as an individual, and our recommendations are tailored to their unique strengths, challenges and circumstances.
Families also appreciate the welcoming environment at our Glebe and Stanmore clinics in Sydney’s Inner West. Our spaces are designed to feel comfortable and family-friendly, and our team is committed to providing compassionate care with your child’s best interests at heart.
Our practice has also been recognised nationally, winning multiple professional and industry awards over the years. Our most recent accolade was being named Champion in the Psychology category at the 2025 Australian Professionals Small Business Champions Awards.
Learn more about what Sydney Children’s Practice offers families seeking child psychologist support here.
WHEN TO SEEK A CHILD ADHD ASSESSMENT
A child with ADHD can experience problems at home, at school, socially and in their relationships. The condition can materially affect their quality of life and their wellbeing, so getting an early diagnosis from one of experienced ADHD psychologists at the Sydney Children’s Practice with a plan for ongoing support can make a real difference.
You know your child best, so if you notice ongoing behaviours that make you wonder whether ADHD could be a factor, it’s a good idea to seek a professional opinion sooner rather than later.
Symptoms of ADHD vary widely, and they are not always obvious. A formal ADHD screening and assessment can help provide clarity as to whether ADHD is really in the picture for your child.
You may want to seek a child ADHD assessment and diagnosis if your child:
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Fidgets constantly or struggles to sit still
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Talks more than peers or finds it hard to wait their turn
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Has trouble with impulsivity and self-control
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Often interrupts others and blurts out answers
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Struggles to stay on task or loses focus easily
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Is easily distracted
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Is forgetful and often misplaces items
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Becomes frustrated more quickly than other children
These are just some of the more common signs of ADHD. If you are concerned, trust your instincts and arrange an assessment with an ADHD psychologist who can provide a clear and professional diagnosis.
Book a child ADHD Assessment at our Sydney Children’s Practice here.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT CHILD ADHD ASSESSMENT?
A Child ADHD Assessment & Diagnosis at Sydney Children’s Practice usually involves four key steps:
1. Intake Appointment
The intake appointment is a detailed clinical interview with the parents and the child (if they are over 12 years old) to gather detailed a developmental, emotional and behavioural history for the child. It will take 60 – 90 minutes.
It is an important first step in a multi-part process of information-gathering, testing, observation and evaluation to enable our clinicians to form a comprehensive picture of your child and their symptoms. It’s also a good opportunity for you to get to know the psychologist who will be taking care of your child.
If the professional view of the psychologist is that there is no compelling evidence of ADHD at the conclusion of the intake appointment, they may recommend that no further sessions are required.
However, the likely scenario is that the ADHD assessment will involve further testing and evaluation with your child over a further two sessions.
2. Testing Sessions
Most assessments involve two further one-on-one sessions with your child, each up to 2 hours.
These sessions use recognized assessments tools and attention-focused tasks to better understand your child’s strengths and challenges. These sessions take place in welcoming and nurturing child-friendly settings at our Glebe or Stanmore practices.
3. Teacher and Parent Questionnaires
To get a full view of your child’s daily life, parents and teachers are invited to complete well-researched questionnaires (such as the Conners 4). With your consent, the ADHD assessing psychologist may also speak directly with your child’s teacher, and in some cases may recommend an observation at school.
4. Feedback Session
Once all the information is gathered, your psychologist will then compile all the findings into a comprehensive written report which will be presented to you at the feedback session.
The feedback session takes between 50 – 60 minutes. The psychologist will present their report and will review your child’s results and the diagnosis (if applicable). They will answer your questions and will provide you with personalised recommendations for support at home and school.
OUR APPROACH TO ADHD ASSESSMENTS
Every Child ADHD Assessment at Sydney Children’s Practice is designed to give a clear and thorough understanding of your child’s needs and strengths. This multi-faceted process takes place over several appointment and brings together information from a range of settings.
It’s essentially an information-gathering exercise to gather as much detail as possible about the child’s medical history, their developmental milestones and their behaviour in a variety of settings such as at home and at school.
The process includes in-depth interviews with the parents or care givers, direct observations of the child’s behaviour in different settings (where possible) and cognitive testing and attention testing using internationally recognised, gold-standard tools and techniques.
Our psychologists aim to build a comprehensive understanding of your child’s unique situation to support accurate assessments and informed diagnoses of ADHD (where applicable).
Their broad experience also enables them to structure a personalised treatment plan for your child that is tailored to their specific symptoms and circumstances (eg if they have any other conditions such as anxiety or a mood disorder) and which supports their mental, emotional, social and academic wellbeing.
As with all psychological assessments, outcomes may vary and we encourage open discussions about any questions or concerns you may have.
METHODS WE USE
To make sure each child ADHD assessment is thorough and reliable, our psychologists use a range of internationally recognised tools. These give us insights into your child’s learning, attention and behaviour across different settings. Some of the tools we may use include:
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WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition): helps us understand your child’s intellectual strengths and areas for support.
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WIAT-III (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – Third Edition): assesses academic skills such as reading, writing and maths.
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TOVA (Test of Variables of Attention): a computer-based task which assesses attention and impulsivity
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Conners 4: questionnaires completed by parents and teachers that provide valuable perspectives on your child’s behaviour in daily life.
These tools are well researched, widely used, and considered best practice in ADHD assessment. Together, they help us build a complete and accurate picture of your child’s needs.
HOW MANY SESSIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR A CHILD ADHD ASSESSMENT
A child ADHD assessment at Sydney Children’s Practice usually takes place over four sessions:
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One intake appointment (60–90 minutes)
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Two testing sessions (up to 2 hours each)
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One feedback session (50–60 minutes)
Where appropriate, your psychologist may suggest an additional phone consultation with your child’s teacher and/or an in-school observation, but only with your consent.
WHAT DOES A CHILD ADHD ASSESSMENT COST?
The cost of a child ADHD assessment can vary depending on the psychologist’s experience and the complexity of your child’s needs.
Every family receives a clear quote during the enquiry or intake stage. Our team is happy to explain the costs, answer your questions and guide you through the process so you know exactly what to expect. You are welcome to contact us to chat about the way forward.
WHERE TO FIND US
We have two clinic locations if you’re looking for a child psychologist in Inner West Sydney, in Glebe and Stanmore.
Visit our contact us page for more information.
FAQs ABOUT ADHD
Sydney Children's Practice
Level 1/335-341 Glebe Point Rd
Glebe NSW 2037
Suite 1, 170 Parramatta Rd
Stanmore NSW 2048
admin@sydneychildrenspractice.com.au
Tel: 02 9564 3758
Fax: 02 9564 3759
Clinic Hours: 7:30am - 8:00pm
Reception Hours: 8:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday
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