At The Balmain Practice, we provide thorough AuDHD Assessment for Children and Adults across Sydney. An AuDHD assessment looks at the combined presence of autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD) and ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), two neurodevelopmental conditions that often occur together. This guide explains what the assessment involves, who it can help, and what to expect at each stage so that you can make an informed decision about the process.
When autism and ADHD occur together, their traits can interact in ways that make assessment more complex. Traits from one condition can hide or heighten the traits of the other. A combined assessment offers a clearer, more complete picture of your or your child’s needs, which helps in accessing the right support.
What is an AuDHD assessment?
AuDHD is an informal term used to describe people who meet the diagnostic criteria for both Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. It is not a separate diagnosis. Instead, it refers to the co-occurrence of two recognised conditions.
To understand why a combined assessment matters, it helps to know what each condition affects:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects social communication and interaction, sensory processing, and patterns of behaviour.
- ADHD affects attention, impulse control, and executive functioning. Executive functioning covers skills such as organisation and planning that we rely on to manage everyday tasks.
When these conditions occur together, they can make daily tasks, learning, and relationships harder to manage. A person might be highly focused on a particular interest yet find it difficult to switch attention when needed, or seek routine while also acting on impulse.
A combined assessment examines both sets of traits simultaneously. Rather than assessing autism and ADHD separately, our psychologists consider how the two relate to one another. This helps identify how each condition and its interactions shape an individual’s experiences. Throughout the process, our team uses evidence-based methods, takes the time to listen, gathers a detailed history, and conducts testing in a calm setting.
AuDHD assessment for children
For children, an AuDHD assessment helps clarify why certain parts of daily life feel difficult. A child may struggle to stay focused, find changes to routine unsettling, or have trouble reading social cues. Some children show clear signs of inattention or restlessness. Others hide their difficulties and appear to cope at school, only to feel exhausted or overwhelmed once they are home.
Our team considers each aspect of a child’s development during the assessment. We gather information from parents and, where relevant, teachers, which helps us understand how a child functions across different settings. Behaviour at home and behaviour in the classroom can look quite different, so this fuller picture is important.
The process aims to understand how a child learns best and to identify the support that suits their needs. A clear assessment can also guide conversations with schools and other health professionals.
AuDHD assessment for adults
Many adults spend years wondering why everyday tasks feel harder for them, and why they approach things differently to those around them. You may have managed at school by working twice as hard, found certain work environments draining, or struggled with organisation, focus, or social settings without a clear reason.
An adult AuDHD assessment looks at your history and your current experiences to understand how autism and ADHD traits may both be present. Our psychologists explore early development, social interactions, work and study, interests, and emotional wellbeing.
For many adults, a diagnosis explains long-standing patterns of thinking, behaviour, and experience. It can also inform decisions about support and next steps. Our team conducts every adult assessment professionally and discreetly, with a focus on your individual needs.
Which evidence-based tools are used in an AuDHD assessment?
Our AuDHD assessments draw on a range of evidence-based tools. Each test is tailored to the individual, and not every instrument is used in every case. The selection depends on the person’s age, presentation, and the questions the assessment is trying to answer.
An assessment may include:
- Cognitive ability testing: Measures areas such as verbal comprehension, fluid reasoning, visual-spatial reasoning, working memory, and processing speed.
- Executive function assessment: Looks at impulse control, planning, attention, concentration, and cognitive flexibility (the ability to shift between tasks or ways of thinking).
- Social and emotional questionnaires: Explore emotional patterns, social skills, and behaviour across different settings.
- Standardised screening tools: Completed by the individual and, where relevant, parents, teachers, or caregivers, to add context.
The findings from these tools help our psychologists recognise traits consistent with autism, ADHD, or related conditions such as specific learning disorders.
What are the steps in the AuDHD assessment process?
We follow a clear, structured, five-step process. Each step is designed to be supportive and straightforward, so you always know what to expect.
Step 1: Intake call
The process begins with an intake call with our Client Concierge, Candy Elliott. Candy holds a Diploma in Psychotherapy and an Associate Diploma in Psychotherapy. During this call, she will listen to your concerns, explain our services, and answer your questions. She will also help determine whether an AuDHD assessment suits you or your child’s needs.
Step 2: Online clinical interview
An in-depth clinical interview is conducted online with one of our experienced psychologists. For children, this interview is held with parents to understand developmental history, emotional wellbeing, behaviour across different settings, and any existing reports. For adults, the interview explores your history, social interactions, interests, and overall health. We review any relevant medical, psychological, or school records to build a complete understanding of your background.
Step 3: Testing and assessment
This stage involves focused testing sessions, tailored to individual needs. Depending on the situation, these may include cognitive ability testing, executive function assessment, academic performance evaluation, and social and emotional questionnaires. Each session is conducted in a calm, quiet setting.
Step 4: Comprehensive report and analysis
Once testing is complete, our psychologist reviews all the results, bringing together data from testing, interviews, and any additional reports. We look for patterns consistent with autism or ADHD, then prepare a clear, easy-to-read report. The report outlines the key findings and provides practical, personalised recommendations.
Step 5: Feedback session
Finally, we hold an online feedback session to talk through the results. Your psychologist will explain the findings, answer your questions, and discuss the next steps. You will receive an electronic copy of the report, which can be shared with other health professionals if needed.
Why consider a combined assessment?
When autism and ADHD are assessed separately, one set of traits can obscure the other. For example, the structure and routine associated with autism might make ADHD-related restlessness less obvious, or vice versa. A combined assessment reduces the risk of missing part of the picture, because both conditions are considered side by side.
A combined assessment may be worth considering if:
- Previous assessments have not fully explained the difficulties being experienced.
- Traits of both attention difficulties and social or sensory differences are present.
- You want a single, coordinated report rather than separate ones.
The right approach depends on the individual, which is one reason the intake call comes first.
Take the next step
If you are seeking an AuDHD assessment for a child or for yourself, our team at The Balmain Practice is here to help. We offer clear guidance, evidence-based AuDHD testing, and practical recommendations, all delivered with care and understanding. Contact us to arrange your intake call and take the first step towards clarity.