Combined ADHD and Autism Assessment
for Teenagers (12 to 17 Years)

Evolving Minds provides combined ADHD and autism assessments for teenagers aged 12 to 17 years from our Menai practice in the Sutherland Shire and via secure telehealth across Australia.

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If you have been searching for an ADHD and autism test or an autism and ADHD assessment for your teenager, it's important to know that diagnosing ADHD and autism involves much more than a single test. A combined assessment considers both conditions together to understand how attention, executive functioning, communication, sensory experiences and emotional regulation affect your teenager's life at home, school and in social settings.

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Many families seek a combined assessment because they recognise characteristics associated with both ADHD and autism, or because it is unclear which condition best explains their teenager's experiences. A combined assessment provides a clearer understanding of your teenager's strengths, differences and support needs through a single, integrated assessment process.

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ADHD or autism? Why assess both together?

It is not always clear whether a teenager's experiences are best explained by ADHD, autism or both. While the two conditions have distinct diagnostic criteria, they frequently occur together and can influence how each other presents.

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ADHD and autism can share characteristics that look similar on the surface. Difficulty concentrating may reflect ADHD, or it may relate to sensory overload or anxiety in a busy environment. Social difficulties may arise because of impulsivity and missing social cues, or because of differences in social communication. Both conditions can affect executive functioning, emotional regulation and routines, and characteristics of one may mask or influence how the other presents. Looking at both together helps identify what is contributing to your teenager's experiences.

Some families recognise characteristics associated with both ADHD and autism. Others simply want clarity without having to decide which condition should be assessed first. Where a teenager meets the criteria for both conditions, sometimes referred to as AuDHD, a combined assessment provides a single, integrated understanding of their experiences.

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What does the assessment involve?

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Our combined ADHD and autism assessment follows a structured, evidence-based diagnostic process completed over three appointments across approximately four to six weeks. This includes two assessment appointments and one feedback appointment.

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The assessment includes:

• clinical interviews with your teenager and parent or caregiver

• developmental history

• standardised assessment measures for both ADHD and autism

• exploration of attention, executive functioning, emotional regulation, communication, social interaction and sensory experiences

• review of your teenager's experiences across home, school and other everyday settings

• teacher questionnaires or school information where clinically appropriate

• review of previous reports where available

• ADOS-2, where clinically indicated

Following the assessment, you will receive:

• one comprehensive diagnostic report addressing both ADHD and autism, with personalised recommendations for home, school and future supports

• diagnostic conclusions where appropriate

• a feedback appointment to discuss the findings and answer your questions

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Parent and school involvement

Parents and caregivers play an important role throughout the assessment process.

Your understanding of your teenager's early development, behaviour across different settings and current experiences helps us build a complete picture of how ADHD and autism may be affecting their everyday life. Where appropriate, and with your consent, we may also seek information from your teenager's school to better understand how they are managing academically, socially and emotionally across different environments.

We encourage both parents and teenagers to attend the feedback appointment. Attending the feedback appointment together provides an opportunity to ask questions, discuss the recommendations and consider the most appropriate supports moving forward.

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Our neuro-affirming approach

Our psychologists take a neuro-affirming approach that recognises the diversity of neurodevelopmental presentations.

Every teenager has a unique profile of strengths, differences and support needs. Rather than considering ADHD and autism in isolation or relying on stereotypes, we consider how both conditions may interact within the context of your teenager's developmental history, current presentation and lived experience.

Our goal is to provide a respectful assessment that helps teenagers and families better understand their experiences and supports informed decisions about future care.

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Telehealth ADHD and autism assessments

We provide combined ADHD and autism assessments for teenagers throughout Australia via secure telehealth.

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Many components of the assessment can be completed online. Where particular assessment measures require in-person observation, your psychologist will discuss this with you before the assessment begins and explain the most appropriate assessment pathway for your teenager.

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Assessment fee

The fee for a combined ADHD and autism assessment for teenagers is $2,400.

The assessment fee includes:

• two assessment appointments

• evidence-based assessment measures

• one integrated diagnostic report addressing both ADHD and autism

• personalised recommendations for home, school and future supports

• a feedback appointment with your psychologist

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Medicare rebates may be available for some young people under 25 years of age when the assessment is completed under the Medicare Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder assessment pathway. Eligibility depends on the referral pathway and individual circumstances. Our Client Care Team can discuss this with you when you enquire.

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What happens after the assessment?

Following the assessment, we'll meet with you to discuss the findings, explain the recommendations and answer any questions you or your teenager may have. Our aim is to help you understand how the assessment findings relate to your teenager's everyday experiences and what supports may be helpful moving forward.

Depending on the outcome of the assessment, some families choose to continue with ADHD therapy, ADHD coaching, autism therapy, or a combination of these services to help their teenager build on their strengths, develop practical strategies and implement the recommendations from the assessment. Where appropriate, we can also provide guidance regarding school supports, educational adjustments and referral pathways.

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If, following the assessment, it becomes clear that ADHD or autism alone best explains your teenager's experiences, we'll discuss this with you and explain the most appropriate support options moving forward.

How do I book a combined ADHD and autism assessment for my teenager?

We provide combined ADHD and autism assessments for teenagers aged 12 to 17 years from our Menai practice in the Sutherland Shire and via secure telehealth throughout Australia.

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To enquire about a combined ADHD and autism assessment for your teenager or request an appointment, contact Evolving Minds on 02 8519 4197 or complete our secure online appointment request form.