How to Prepare for Your ADHD and Autism Assessment
ADHD and Autism Assessments: How to Prepare, Understand, and Navigate Diagnosis
Getting an ADHD assessment or an autism assessment is a major step in the journey toward better understanding yourself or your child. Whether you suspect you might be autistic, are seeking an ADHD diagnosis, or are navigating the complexities of autism and ADHD, this article will help.
What Is Autism and ADHD?
Autism and ADHD are both neurodevelopmental conditions that affect how people think, learn, and behave. Autism falls under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorders, a group of conditions defined by differences in social communication, behaviour, and sensory processing. ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is characterised by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
While distinct, many people experience ADHD and autism together. This overlap can complicate the diagnostic process, but it also highlights the importance of seeking diagnostic services tailored to individual needs. Autistic people and those with ADHD share challenges in executive functioning, but each person also has unique strengths and challenges that a proper assessment can provide insights into.
Why Is an Autism Assessment or ADHD Assessment Needed?
An autism assessment or ADHD assessment is the only way to confirm whether symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) or the updated DSM-5-TR.
Parents often seek an assessment and diagnosis of autism when they notice differences in a child’s development, such as difficulty with communication, repetitive behaviours, or delays in social skills. Similarly, concerns about ADHD traits—such as struggling with focus, impulsivity, or restlessness—can prompt families to seek an accurate diagnosis.
Without a formal assessment, it’s easy to experience misdiagnosis or to overlook important supports like allied health therapies or funding options such as the NDIS. A professional diagnostic evaluation ensures the right assessment services are provided.
What Are the Diagnostic Criteria for Autism and ADHD?
Both conditions have clearly defined diagnostic criteria. For autism diagnosis, the criteria for autism include difficulties in social communication, repetitive behaviours, and restricted interests. A person must also show that these traits affect their daily life.
For ADHD, the ADHD criteria focus on ADHD symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. To diagnose ADHD, health professionals look at how these symptoms present across different settings, such as school, work, and home.
Together, these diagnostic tools allow professionals to make a diagnosis that reflects the reality of a person’s lived experience. In fact, the national guideline for autism stresses the importance of a comprehensive evaluation that includes both observation and developmental history.
How Do Health Professionals Diagnose ADHD or Autism?
The process to diagnose ADHD or autism often begins with a GP referral. From there, a psychologist, psychiatrist, or paediatrician may conduct a screening appointment to collect information about the individual’s medical history, behaviour, and developmental milestones.
Health professionals may use a questionnaire, interviews with friends or family members, and direct observation to build a full picture. The diagnostic assessments are designed to rule out other medical conditions and avoid misdiagnosis.
For children and young people, input from schools is often valuable. For an autistic adult, clinicians will explore lived experiences and how they meet the autism diagnostic framework.
What Happens During the Screening Process and Diagnostic Evaluation?
The screening process is the first step in a diagnostic evaluation. This may involve filling out a questionnaire about ADHD traits, signs of autism, and other concerns. The assessment services then continue with a full assessment that could include interviews, observation, and standardised testing.
This diagnostic process is thorough to ensure an accurate diagnosis. For example, a psychologist might use diagnostic tools from the DSM-5 to confirm whether someone is on the autism spectrum or meets the ADHD diagnostic criteria.
A feedback session usually follows, where the clinician explains the results, discusses the steps you can take, and provides recommendations for next steps in diagnosing and treating the condition.
How to Prepare Your Child for an Autism Assessment
If you’re seeking a diagnosis for your child, there are steps you can take to prepare your child.
First, explain in simple terms what will happen during the formal assessment. Let them know that the health professionals are there to understand their child’s strengths and challenges, not to judge them. Bringing comfort items can also ease anxiety during assessment services.
Second, share as much as possible about the age of your child, child’s development, and behaviour with the assessment team. This helps them confirm a diagnosis and tailor the diagnostic assessments to the individual needs of children and young people.
What to Expect in Assessments for Adults with Autism or ADHD
For adults with autism or ADHD, the assessment services often focus on lived experiences, work history, and current challenges. An adult diagnosis can be life-changing, offering clarity and access to supports.
An autistic adult might discover that lifelong difficulties with executive functioning or social communication are linked to an underlying diagnosis. Similarly, adults who have been diagnosed with autism or ADHD later in life often describe the process of discovery as validating.
Adults seeking a comprehensive evaluation may go through an initial screening appointment, followed by a full assessment using structured diagnostic tools.
How Do Diagnostic Tools and the DSM-5 Help Confirm a Diagnosis?
The DSM-5 and DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) are the main guides for the diagnostic process. They outline the diagnostic criteria for both autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Clinicians use these manuals along with diagnostic assessments such as interviews, observations, and questionnaires. This helps to confirm a diagnosis and ensure it meets international standards.
The role of diagnostic tools is especially important when ADHD and autism overlap, as these conditions can complicate the diagnostic process. Following structured guidelines ensures consistency and fairness.
What Are the Steps After Receiving a Diagnosis?
After receiving a diagnosis, families and individuals often move into seeking support. This may involve connecting with allied health providers such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists, or psychologists who specialise in diagnosing and treating autism or ADHD.
A treatment plan may include strategies to treat ADHD, therapies tailored for autistic people, or supports funded through the NDIS. Some children and adults may also benefit from medications used to treat ADHD, though this is always guided by a doctor.
Importantly, an assessment can provide not just answers, but also direction for supports that respect neurodiversity and focus on a person’s strengths and challenges.