Little Tree Practice provides comprehensive assessment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition or a neurotype which affects the ability to concentrate and focus in various situations. It does not mean that the ability to concentrate is reduced in all environments. Children, teenagers and adults with ADHD can find it easy to concentrate under ideal conditions, often when there is high stimulation or reward involved in the task, or high value in the outcome. However even during these types of situations, concentration and focus can become impaired if there are problems with the length of time needed, if the task seems overwhelming or too easy, or if there are other emotional or physical factors which disrupt the flow of concentration.
There are different subtypes of ADHD: Hyperactive/Impulsive, Inattentive, and Combined Type, where the person has symptoms of each.
ADHD can produce major challenges for children, teenagers and adults in their academic progress, and in their ability to form reliable social skills.
A little-known fact about ADHD is that it often accompanies Giftedness or a Gifted and Talented profile for the young person or adult. This profile has been thought of in the education sphere as “twice exceptional”. The ADHD (and other neurotypes such as Autism or a specific learning disorder) can mask the true academic potential of a student, and their intelligence is not evident from their performance in the classroom or in their grades. Once the ADHD is detected and treated appropriately, the child’s full ability is usually more visible to teachers and parents alike.
If you think your child, or you yourself have difficulties concentrating and persevering with tasks in a number of areas, you may benefit from having an ADHD assessment. General Practitioners (GPs) will often refer to a psychiatrist or a paediatrician, who will use their clinical assessment skills to formulate a diagnosis. If the diagnosis is not confirmed, or if families wish to obtain an opinion via psychometric testing, the doctor may suggest seeing a psychologist for an assessment. Likewise psychologists often will initiate this process if they have been working with the young person in therapy and see the need for further testing in order to confirm or exclude ADHD. Sometimes GPs will refer directly to a psychologist for this psychometric testing.
One of the most common testing protocols is the Conners questionnaire which is given to parents, teachers and even the child themselves if they are old enough. The answers to these questionnaires are scored and presented in a detailed report which the psychologist will then discuss with the young person and their family in a followup appointment.
At Little Tree, our psychologists can receive direct referrals from GPs or other medical specialists such as psychiatrists, or paediatricians. If you have been referred to a psychiatrist at Little Tree for ADHD assessment, it may be that you see the psychiatrist first, and then the psychologist second – or vice versa, depending on personal preference.
For appointments with our psychologists Haylee Johnson and Jordan Smith, please email Little Tree at admin@littletreepractice.com.au or call us on 02 8999 1183.
