Adult autism and ADHD assessment: purpose, process and funding
ASD and ADHD assessments for adults
By Jelly Health · Originally published 5 June 2024
Deeper review: 6 October 2026. The deeper review adds article-specific decisions and audience guidance. Historical passages and their adjacent corrections remain preserved.
Clarify screening, diagnosis and support evidence before booking
Ask whether the appointment is a screening discussion, a diagnostic evaluation or an assessment of daily functioning. Find out which professionals are involved, what the report will cover and how findings are explained. A questionnaire score alone should not be presented as a complete diagnosis. Read Autism CRC’s adult assessment guidance
Explain the reasons you are seeking help and the adjustments that would make appointments accessible. Ask how the clinician considers other possible explanations and co-occurring conditions. The ADHD guideline includes these as part of diagnostic assessment. Read the official guidance
Ask what history can be used if school reports or family information are unavailable. You can ask for factual errors in a report to be corrected.
Original article and dated context
Jelly Health's psychologists provide services online Australia wide. All you need to access is internet connection and tablet or device. For more, check out Jelly Health on Clickability.
Are you wondering if you are autistic? Or has someone suggested you get tested for ADHD?
Many different reasons can prompt an adult to get an assessment. Sometimes it can be challenges at work or in relationships, problems with substance use and misuse, or issues with general mental health. Other times, the diagnosis of a child can prompt your own self-reflection.
Completing an assessment can provide an understanding of your unique experience of the world. Being empowered with the insight of how your mind works can help you plan how to maximise your strengths and live your best life.
What is ASD and ADHD?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are both classified as neurodevelopmental disorders. You don’t outgrow either of these disorders; they are lifelong.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ASD is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behaviour. Symptoms typically appear in childhood and can include difficulties in social interactions, challenges in communication, repetitive behaviours and sensory sensitivities. The severity of symptoms can vary widely among individuals (Murphy et al. 2016).
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, impulsivity and sometimes hyperactive behaviour. ADHD symptoms usually appear in childhood and can interfere with functioning or development. ADHD symptoms also vary among individuals.
ADHD manifests in three primary types:
Inattentive ADHD – e.g., difficulty in sustaining attention
Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD – e.g., excessive fidgeting and disruptive behaviours
Combined ADHD includes symptoms from both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types, presenting a broader range of challenges (Custodio et al. 2024).
Overlap between ASD and ADHD
ASD and ADHD are both distinct disorders, characterised by distinct diagnostic criteria. However, they can co-occur, which means that it’s possible to be diagnosed with both ASD and ADHD (Accardo et al. 2024).
Anxiety and Depression
ASD and ADHD can also be associated with an increase in anxiety and depression. It’s also possible for the symptoms of these different conditions to overlap. For example, difficulties with executive functioning could be because of depression or ASD. A detailed assessment will help identify the primary condition or co-occurring disorders (Accardo et al. 2024).
ASD and ADHD assessments for adults
There is no quick test for either ASD or ADHD. It’s best to think about these assessments as a diagnostic process that will generally involve a team of healthcare professionals. A screening assessment for either disorder with a psychologist will take around three to four sessions each to complete. This does not include the additional time to write any required reports. A combined ASD and ADHD assessment is also an option. It’s important to remember that everyone is different and the time an assessment can take will be influenced by several factors.
The sessions with a psychologist will involve the collection of a range of information through interviews, observation and the completion of standardised questionnaires. Clinical interviews will cover things like your developmental history, including milestones, behavioural patterns and social interactions. The psychologist will also ask about specific symptoms and your current functioning and participation in daily living activities.
It can be helpful to bring old school reports or previous assessment reports to these sessions. Reflections and past observations from family members and long-term friends can also be helpful.
During the final feedback session, your psychologist will detail the findings. At this stage, if there is sufficient supporting evidence, your psychologist may provide a referral to a psychiatrist. Only a psychiatrist can prescribe medication.
[Clickability update, October 2026: This statement is incorrect as a general rule. Prescribing depends on the medicine, practitioner and jurisdiction. NSW permits authorised GP continuation prescribing under specified conditions. Read current NSW prescribing guidance and ask your treating doctor about the pathway that applies to you.]
Do you need a referral from a GP?
No, a referral from your GP is not required for an ASD or ADHD screening assessment. However, it’s always good to keep your GP involved in your healthcare journey. Your GP may also create you a mental health care plan which will enable you to claim a Medicare rebate on some psychology services.
[Clickability update, October 2026: A mental-health treatment plan does not guarantee a rebate for autism or ADHD diagnostic assessment. Confirm the exact service, eligibility and referral before booking. Check Medicare mental-health information.]
Psychology support throughout the process
The assessment process can be an overwhelming and stressful experience. Receiving a diagnosis as an adult can come with a mixture of feelings. Some describe a sense of relief and satisfaction with the clarification the assessment provides. For others there can also be a sense of grief for their pre-diagnosed self (Leedham et al. 2019).
A psychologist will provide guidance and support throughout the process. They will help you to understand what to expect, address concerns, and provide a safe space to discuss fears and anxieties.
Psychologists will also create an individual treatment plan to help address any specific challenges. Types of therapy that may be beneficial include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help with the management of anxiety and improve emotional regulation.
Accessing NDIS
A diagnosis of ADHD or ASD doesn’t automatically qualify you for the NDIS. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. To be eligible for the NDIS you need to meet the three main criteria for age, residency and disability.
Age requirements (<65)
Australian residency requirements
Disability requirements
Is your disability caused by an impairment
Is your impairment likely to be permanent
Your permanent impairment substantially reduces your functional capacity
Your permanent impairment affects your ability to work, study, or take part in social life
You will probably need support your whole life
The NDIS has a list (List A) of conditions that they state are likely to meet the disability criteria. If you provide evidence that you have been diagnosed with one of the conditions on the list, they will likely decide you meet the disability requirements.
ADHD
ADHD is currently not included in the list. If you were to apply for the NDIS with an ADHD diagnosis, you would need to provide supporting evidence of how your specific situation meets the NDIS eligibility requirements.
ASD
When you receive an ASD diagnosis, the health professional will also assign a severity level (1,2,3) which is to help you receive the level of support that you need. Currently the NDIS List A includes ASD level 2 and 3. If you receive a Level 1 diagnosis your application will require supporting evidence of the impact on your functional capacity in addition to meeting the NDIS eligibility criteria.
[Clickability update, October 2026: This is historical access wording, not an automatic funding entitlement. Confirm current access requirements and evidence with the NDIA. Announced new access arrangements from January 2028 are a separate future phase. Check current reform timing.]
References
Accardo A, Pontes N . & Pontes M (2024), Heightened Anxiety and Depression Among Autistic Adolescents with ADHD: Findings From the National Survey of Children’s Health 2016–2019. J Autism Dev Disord 54, 563–576.
Custodio R, Hengstler J, Cheong J, Kim H, Wascher E and Getzmann S (2024). Adult ADHD: it is old and new at the same time – what is it? Reviews in the Neurosciences, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 225-241.
Leedham A, Thompson A, Smith R and Freeth M, (2019), I was exhausted trying to figure it out: The experience of females receiving an autism diagnosis in middle to late adulthood. National Autistic Society, Vol 24 issue 1
Murphy C , Wilson C, Robertson D , Ecker C, Daly E, Hammond N, McAlonan G (2016). Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis, management, and health services development. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 12, 1669–1686.
Ask what the assessment is intended to answer
Offer history without taking over the assessment
Ask the adult what information they want you to contribute. Old school reports or examples can help a discussion, but your interpretation should not replace the person’s own account. If childhood records are unavailable, tell the clinician and ask how they will approach that gap.
Agree what information can be shared and who attends feedback. The adult may want time to understand the findings before discussing them with others. Avoid treating one assessment outcome as a complete explanation of every strength, difficulty or future support need.
Respect the adult’s decision about sharing the assessment with family or other services.
Explain the full cost and the separate funding questions
Set out appointment fees, report costs, possible extra work and cancellation terms. Check the actual Medicare item, age and referral requirements before discussing a rebate; a mental health care plan is not a blanket diagnostic-assessment subsidy.
Keep clinical diagnosis and treatment separate from NDIS-funded disability supports and evidence for access. Current NDIA guidance excludes diagnostic assessment and clinical treatment of health conditions from NDIS health supports. A diagnostic result does not guarantee NDIS access. Read the official guidance
Questions readers ask
Are all ADHD medicines prescribed only by psychiatrists?
No. Applicable practitioner authorisation and state or territory arrangements matter. Official guidance
Does a diagnostic assessment automatically qualify for an NDIS claim?
No. Diagnostic health services and disability support have different funding responsibilities. Official guidance
Does a screening questionnaire give me a complete autism or ADHD diagnosis?
A screening tool can inform further assessment. Ask the qualified clinician about the full diagnostic process, other possible explanations and the report provided. Official guidance
Find psychology providers and clarify the service you need
Use Clickability to describe your support needs and compare psychology profiles and reviews. Confirm assessment scope, fees and funding directly before booking.
