As a psychologist with ADHD, I know firsthand how life-changing and transformative an ADHD diagnosis can be. However, I also understand that the process can feel vulnerable, overwhelming, and uncertain, especially if you’re unsure what to expect.
My Story
I went for a formal assessment two years ago. While I suspected I had ADHD for a while, it became unmanageable when I returned to education. I was struggling with my coursework. Essays piled up. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stay focused in seminars. I was falling behind.
That’s when I knew it was time to get assessed so I could access the right accommodations and get back on track.
I was fortunate to work alongside an incredible ADHD psychiatrist who was supportive. Thanks to his guidance around the assessment pathways and my knowledge of the healthcare system, I had an incredibly positive experience throughout my ADHD journey and was provided with gold-standard aftercare.
However, I acknowledge that not everyone has the same privileges I had when going for assessment, in terms of connections and knowledge of the space.
I hope that, by creating this guide and sharing my insights as both a practitioner and ADHDer, this information can help you feel confident and empowered as you go through your own ADHD assessment, whether through this service or another provider.
Step 1: Get Everything in Writing Upfront
I advise against taking information from websites and phone calls at face value. They often include a lot of detail that’s hard to keep track of, especially when your brain processes and stores information differently, like many of ours do.
That’s why having everything in writing and sent via email directly from the provider is not just helpful—it’s respectful of your needs.
You deserve clear, accessible information upfront to feel confident and grounded in your next steps.
Ask your practitioner or service provider to send you written details that include:
- How many steps are involved in the assessment process
- What happens at each step, and what you receive. The cost of each session (and whether it’s fixed or may change
- The wait time between sessions
- Your practitioner’s qualifications and accreditation number
- Any additional fees (such as admin or report fees)
Some providers offer a diagnosis after one session. Others may need two or more.
Having this information upfront helps you plan better — and reduces unnecessary stress or confusion.
No one should be left feeling blindsided or uncertain during something as important as an ADHD assessment. Clear communication is a form of access. You deserve nothing less.
Step 2: Consider If Now Is the Right Time for an ADHD Assessment
While ADHD assessments can be incredibly beneficial, it’s important to thoughtfully consider whether now is the right time for you. As a psychologist and someone who has gone through this process myself, I’ve experienced firsthand how life-changing it can be.
However, it’s equally crucial to ensure you’re in the right place—mentally, emotionally, and financially—before diving in.
Why Timing Matters:
ADHDer’s often feel external pressure from family, partners, or even online promotions, which creates a false sense of urgency and can also capitalise on our executive functioning challenges.
It’s important to pause and reflect:
- What benefits would an assessment bring you right now?
- Are you seeking clarity, validation, or specific accommodations?
- Is this the best time for you to engage in this process, given your current circumstances?
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Will an assessment provide the clarity or validation you need right now?
- Do you need formal accommodations for work or school?
- Are you in a place where you can fully engage with the process without feeling rushed, financially burdened or overwhelmed?
Remember, there’s nothing wrong with waiting until the timing feels right for you. An ADHD assessment can be life-changing, but it’s most effective when it aligns with your readiness and needs. Taking the time to consider these factors can ensure that the process is truly beneficial and supportive.
Step 3: Involve Your GP Early (Even If You’re Unsure About Medication)
One of the most supportive steps you can take early on is to involve your general practitioner (GP) in your ADHD journey.
Many people I speak with feel unsure or uninterested in medication at first—and that’s completely valid. Your preferences and needs are personal, and they may change over time.
Even if you’re not considering medication right now, keeping your GP in the loop can give you more flexibility and support down the road should you need it.
Once you’ve chosen an ADHD provider and received the relevant details in Step 1, I recommend sharing that information with your GP.
Why?
This information helps your GP in many ways, including:
- It gives them the information needed to approve of the ADHD provider’s process — including steps, timeframes, and protocols
- Gives them a record of your assessor’s credentials in case you want to avail of medical or public treatment options in the future.
- It gives you informed feedback on whether ADHD medication might be a good fit for your health. (It’s quite common for people to go through a whole assessment process with the goal of medications for managing their symptoms, only to find out afterwards that they are not a candidate for medication.)
- Gives you the green light to know if they’re comfortable supporting non-stimulant options after assessment.
- They can let you know if they are happy to refer you to a specialist within the public system for stimulant options, if that becomes the right path for you, and update you on wait times
- If you are planning to go private psychiatry for stimulant options- your GP can let you know if they are happy to go over prescriptions after the titration phase which will reduce your medical costs.
Your GP can be an important partner in your care.
Involving them early means you’re building a stronger support system — one that respects your autonomy and keeps options open, whatever choices feel right for you later on.
Step 4: Avoid the ADHD “Tax”
This part is crucial, and I say it with deep care:
You have every right to know what to expect financially and to proceed with the assessment process in a way that respects your energy, time, and resources.
Clients who book a pre-screening session with me often inform me that they started an assessment process elsewhere but had to abandon it halfway through because they realised they couldn’t afford it, or they’re hit with unexpected administrative fees that threw them off course.
You deserve all the data to make informed decisions from the beginning.
That’s why it’s essential to ask for a full, written breakdown of pricing upfront.
This should ideally include:
- The cost of each step in the assessment and what you get at each point
- Any administrative fees
- Follow-up or aftercare costs (if applicable)
- How you can receive your receipts for each session
If you have insurance coverage, share the practitioner’s details and accreditation number with your insurer before you book your assessment.
Many insurance providers only cover certain types of professionals (like neuropsychologists or psychiatrists).
The only way to get full clarification on your coverage is by sharing your practitioner’s accreditation number. Checking this number in advance helps avoid surprises and protects your peace of mind.
Step 5: Prepare for Your Appointments
The day of your various appointments can feel a little overwhelming, and that’s completely valid.
Giving yourself space to prepare can make the experience more grounding and less stressful.
If you’re able, try planning your day ahead of time so you don’t feel rushed.
If your session is online, check which platform your practitioner uses (e.g., Zoom or a private portal), and do a quick tech check beforehand.
If it’s in person, get an idea of the routes the day before so you aren’t left scrambling if the bus is late. That way, you can feel more present during your appointments instead of losing time troubleshooting.
If you are attending sessions online, choose a quiet, comfortable space where you can feel safe, focused, and open to sharing. If it’s in person, bring comfort items to calm the nervous system (e.g., a fidget spinner, a cup of tea), and don’t be afraid to ask for movement breaks if you need them.
If focusing or remembering things in the moment feels tough (which is really common for ADHD brains), it can help to jot down a few notes of your symptoms in advance.
I would recommend writing down the following:
- Ways the practitioner can make you feel more at ease (movement breaks, repeating questions, giving you time to think and process)
- Examples of symptoms or patterns you’ve noticed in the past 6 months
- Childhood symptoms you noticed before age 12 (daydreaming, fidgeting, procrastinating with your homework)
- Things you struggle with day-to-day
- Any current diagnoses you have and the age you were diagnosed (e.g., generalised anxiety disorder age: 20, underactive thyroid age: 35, etc.)
- Questions you’d like to ask your practitioner
If there’s anything your practitioner can do to help you feel more at ease, let them know. Due to our training, practitioners sometimes use clinical terms or ‘psychobabble’ without meaning to.
I can only speak for myself, but if anything I say in session feels unclear or too technical, feel free to ask me to break it down or give a real-life example.
I truly welcome it—it helps me become a better practitioner and ensures we’re working together in a way that makes sense to you.
I know it’s daunting to open up to a stranger, but practitioners working in this space are, for the most part, in it because they genuinely care about neurodivergence and will be happy to discuss how they can support you throughout your sessions.
Being able to show up in a way that supports your brain is something to be proud of and something that any clinician would respect.
This process is for you, and it’s okay to prepare in whatever way helps you feel most steady and seen.
Step 6: Gently Explore Your Childhood Experiences
A core part of assessing adult ADHD involves letting your practitioner know about how your symptoms showed up during childhood, as this highlights the neurodevelopmental nature of ADHD.
This can feel tricky — especially because many ADHDers experience memory challenges, especially when it comes to earlier life.
You might not remember everything clearly, and that’s okay. That doesn’t make your experience any less valid. The more context you can provide, the easier it will be for the practitioner to assess your symptoms accurately.
To support yourself in this process, consider reaching out to people who knew you growing up — like parents, caregivers, or siblings. You don’t need to disclose you are going for an assessment if you are not comfortable – you can ask gentle questions like:
“What was I like as a kid?”
“Was I always moving, easily distracted, or off in my own world?”
“ What was my bedroom like?”
Old school reports can also offer clues—comments about focus, behaviour, or academic patterns can help jog your memory or be given to your practitioner for reference throughout.
You don’t need to have a perfect recollection.
The goal is simply to gather a few pieces of the puzzle so your practitioner can better understand your lifelong patterns.
Step 7: Give Yourself Space to Feel Before and After Appointments— Emotional Processing Matters
Talking about your lived experiences — especially the challenges, confusion, or pain you’ve carried — can stir up a lot. The assessment process often involves digging into parts of your past that haven’t always felt seen or understood.
Feeling vulnerable, tired, or even unexpectedly emotional during or after your sessions is completely normal. That’s why allowing yourself time to decompress before and after your appointments is essential. Don’t rush back into work or other obligations right away.
Instead, plan something gentle and grounding for yourself:
- A walk
- A nap
- Watching your favourite show
- Time with someone who makes you feel safe
Do anything that helps you come back to centre
Step 8: Honouring the Emotional Journey After a Diagnosis
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be incredibly validating. It can feel like puzzle pieces are finally clicking into place — like your story finally makes sense.
But alongside relief and clarity, other emotions, such as grief, sadness, and regret, may surface.
This is especially common for adults who begin looking back on their childhood, school years, or work experiences with new understanding. You may wonder what could’ve been different if you’d known or had support earlier.
That’s not unusual, and those feelings of loss, although uncomfortable, are present because you are showing compassion for your younger self and wishing you didn’t have to face so many unnecessary burdens.
That’s a beautiful validation of yourself; all those feelings are valid.
You are allowed to hold relief and grief at the same time.
To support yourself through this emotional transition, it can help to:
- Talk to a trusted therapist
- Connect with ADHD support groups or communities
- Reach out to friends or family who can listen without judgment
You don’t have to process it all alone.
You deserve space, support, and softness as you move forward — with new knowledge and deep self-compassion.
Step 9: Identify a Clear Point of Contact for Ongoing Support
After receiving your diagnosis, your journey doesn’t stop — it evolves.
That’s why having a clear, reliable point of contact within the service where you had your assessment is so important.
Whether you’re seeking:
- Additional information
- Help with workplace or school accommodations
- Guidance around medication options or referrals
This person becomes a vital part of your ongoing support network. Your point of contact is generally your assessment practitioner, but if a multidisciplinary team is assessing you, it may be someone else.
They can also help you navigate the next steps in public healthcare, coordinate with your GP or psychiatrist, or assist in getting updated documentation if you need it later on.
Knowing your point of contact before assessment means you can reach out to them after the process is over, so you’re not left wondering where to go next. It gives you continuity, clarity, and a sense of security — all of which are essential after a diagnosis.
You deserve support that doesn’t stop at the diagnosis.
You deserve to feel held, not left hanging.
