Assessment
Please note: Assessments are currently only available to anyone 18 years and older and is comfortable with a Telehealth assessment.
Neurodivergent Assessment
There are various types of neurodivergent assessments that can be conducted, depending on the specific needs and concerns of the individual being assessed.
At myturn2talk we focus on 2:
Autism Assessment
This assessment is designed to evaluate communication skills, social interactions and sensory processing, among other factors. It may involve interviews, questionnaires, and discussions with parents and co-workers.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessment:
This type of assessment aims to identify symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that may be affecting an individual's daily functioning. It may involve self-report questionnaires, interviews with family members or friends etc.
Am I Autistic or ADHD?
There are some commonalities between Autism and ADHD, including:
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Executive functioning difficulties: Both ADHDers and Autistic individuals may have difficulties with executive functioning, which includes skills such as planning, organization, time management, and working memory.
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Attentional difficulties: Both may experience attentional difficulties, although the specific nature of these difficulties may be different. For example, ADHDers may have difficulty sustaining attention on tasks, while Autistic individuals may struggle with shifting attention between different tasks or stimuli.
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Impulsivity: Both can involve impulsivity, which may manifest as acting without thinking, interrupting others, or engaging in risky behaviours.
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Emotional regulation difficulties: Both may experience difficulties with emotional regulation, which can manifest as difficulties managing strong emotions, such as anger or frustration.
Should I see a Psychologist
or a Psychiatrist for ADHD?
Both psychologists and psychiatrists can provide a comprehensive ADHD assessment and treatment plan. Both perform ADHD assessments, but their approaches may differ slightly.
Psychologists typically use standardized tests, questionnaires, and diagnostic interviews to assess symptoms of ADHD and other possible co-occurring conditions. They may also gather information from family members, teachers, and other healthcare providers to get a comprehensive picture of the individual's functioning. Psychologists can diagnose ADHD, provide therapy, and recommend behavioural interventions and accommodations.
Psychiatrists may use similar assessments, but they can also prescribe medications to manage symptoms of ADHD. They can diagnose ADHD and other mental health conditions and develop a treatment plan that includes medication management.
Ultimately if you know it's medication you are after, you will definitely need to engage a psychiatrist.
If I decided to come to myturn2talk for my assessment, what can I expect?
Initial Session
In the Initial Interview the focus is on information gathering about symptoms and related difficulties.
I may ask about your developmental and medical history, family history, etc.
I may request the contact details of other sources, such as family members, teachers, or coworkers to getting an
Diagnostic Interview
In the diagnostic interview may still be conducting information gathering about your symptoms and related difficulties, but will also ask about your subjective experiences and ask you to complete a number of self-report measures.
Diagnostic Interviews are typically conducted using the DIVA-5 and / or the MIGDAS-2.
Results
Based on the information gathered in the first two steps, I will determine whether you meet the criteria for Autism, ADHD and co-morbidity.
The assessment may also include screening for other co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, etc and indications if further assessment is recommended.
Diagnostic Report & Feedback
During the feedback session I will share my findings with you and present treatment options that addresses your needs and goals.
You will have a choice between a comprehensive report, often required to access further services (eg NDIS) or a brief report if the assessment is purely for self-discovery purposes.