ADHD Assessments & Treatment
ADHD Assessment Melbourne, Sunbury & Mildura
In this article
Does my child have ADHD?
If your child or teenager is hyperactive, inattentive or impulsive, you may wonder if they have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It’s normal for children to have trouble focusing at times, get distracted or to have lots of energy. But when they cannot control their impulses, concentrate on school work or control their behaviour, they may be diagnosed with ADHD.
Children with ADHD can find school a challenging environment. They may display oppositional behaviours with family and teachers. They may also be experiencing other issues such as learning difficulties, time management issues, sleep problems, emotional regulation issues or mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, or low self esteem.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder cannot be cured, but it can be managed effectively.
Common symptoms of ADHD
ADHD can occur as Hyperactive, Inattentive or mixed types. The diagnosis of ADHD requires symptoms of inattention and focus that occurs in at least two settings (eg. home and school).
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) is a tool used by professionals to diagnose conditions including ADHD. The DSM-5 lists the following criteria as symptoms of ADHD:
Inattentive ADHD Symptoms
- Makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.
- Has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.
- Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
- Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish school work or chores
- Difficulty organising tasks and activities.
- Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
- Loses things (e.g. school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
- Easily distracted
- Forgetful in daily activities
Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD Symptoms
- Fidgets, taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat
- Leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected
- Feels restless or runs about in situations where it is not appropriate
- Unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly
- Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”
- Talks excessively
- Blurts out answers
- Has trouble waiting their turn
- Interrupts or intrudes on others
ADHD in girls
What causes ADHD?
Is ADHD a disability?
ADHD diagnosis and assessment
We offer ADHD assessments at our Sunbury (Melbourne) and Mildura clinics.
There is no single test for ADHD. The assessment process will begin with our mental health clinician taking a comprehensive mental health assessment history of your child or teenager. This will help us to understand the factors that have contributed to your child’s developmental progress and neurological development. Then we will collect information from another setting, for example your child’s school. We do this by using standardised tests (e.g. SNAP-IV).
ADHD treatment
If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, your clinician will recommend an appointment with our psychiatrist to discuss treatment recommendations.
Treatment for ADHD requires a combination of medication treatment and non-medication approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or other forms of therapy. The combination of medication along with training parents and carers to support their child, have shown to be most effective in treating ADHD symptoms. We work with your child and family to give you helpful strategies and skills to support you to learn how to manage the symptoms of ADHD. Our team at Relational Minds includes an ADHD pyschiatrist, psychologists, family therapists, art therapists, occupational therapists, and more.
Contact us to learn more about our assessment and treatment of ADHD.
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If you’re experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide:
Call Kids Help Line any time for any reason if you need help, especially if you are struggling with difficult emotions or are feeling distressed. They are there to talk to you and help. For anyone 25 or under.
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If you have difficulties relating to your gender or sexuality, the Q-life service may be able to help.
Q-Life is a free anonymous phone or webchat service run by Switchboard. The service is open 3pm – midnight every day. They do not offer ongoing counselling, rather they can offer support regarding any issues you are having related to gender or sexuality that you would like to discuss anonymously.
- 1800 184 527
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