What Happens During an ADHD Assessment?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can affect how a person concentrates, manages daily tasks, controls impulses and responds to different situations. However, recognising possible signs of ADHD is only the first step. A proper assessment helps determine whether these difficulties are related to ADHD or another condition that may need attention.

If you or your child has been experiencing ongoing difficulties with attention, organisation or restlessness, you may be wondering what happens during an ADHD assessment and what you need to prepare.

At Salamander Bay Doctors, ADHD assessment appointments are available with selected GPs across the practice. Understanding the process beforehand can help you feel more prepared and know what to expect at each stage.

What Is an ADHD Assessment?

An ADHD assessment is a structured evaluation that looks at a person's attention, activity levels, behaviour and everyday functioning. It considers how symptoms have developed over time and whether they affect different areas of life, such as school, work, relationships and daily responsibilities.

There is no single blood test or screening tool that can confirm ADHD. Instead, the assessment brings together several sources of information, including medical history, questionnaires, personal experiences and, where appropriate, observations from family members or teachers.

The assessment also considers other possible explanations for the symptoms, helping your GP build a clearer picture before discussing the next steps.

What Happens During an ADHD Assessment?

An ADHD assessment usually involves several stages rather than one quick appointment. Each part provides information that helps your GP understand your experiences and determine the most appropriate pathway.

1. Preparing for Your First Appointment

Before attending, it is helpful to gather any information that may provide insight into your symptoms and their history.

You may be asked to bring:

• Previous school reports and teacher comments, particularly for childhood symptoms.
• Medical records and details of previous assessments.
• A list of current medications and relevant health conditions.
• Examples of difficulties with attention, organisation, time management or impulsive behaviour.
• Information from a parent, partner or another person who knows you well, where relevant.

For adults, childhood records can be particularly useful because ADHD symptoms generally begin during childhood, even when they are not recognised until later in life.

Booking a long appointment is also important. ADHD assessment involves discussing several aspects of your history, and a standard consultation may not provide enough time.

2. Discussing Your Medical and Personal History

During the first appointment, your GP will ask questions about your experiences and how they affect your everyday life.

The discussion may cover:

• Concentration, attention and distractibility.
• Restlessness, fidgeting and difficulty remaining still.
• Impulsive decisions or interrupting conversations.
• Organisation, planning and time management.
• Emotional responses and managing frustration.
• School, work, relationships and daily responsibilities.
• Sleep patterns, mood and general health.

Your GP may also ask when you first noticed these difficulties and whether they have been present in different settings.

For children and teenagers, information from parents, caregivers and teachers can help explain how behaviours appear at home and school. For adults, the discussion may include previous school experiences, employment history and challenges in relationships.

3. Completing ADHD Questionnaires

Standardised questionnaires may form part of the assessment. These help organise information about symptoms and how frequently they occur.

Depending on the person's age and circumstances, questionnaires may be completed by the individual, a parent, a partner or a teacher.

Using information from more than one person can be helpful because ADHD symptoms may appear differently depending on the environment. For example, a child may have difficulty following instructions at school, while an adult may struggle with deadlines and household responsibilities.

Questionnaires support the assessment but do not provide a diagnosis on their own. Your GP considers their results alongside your medical history and other information.

4. Physical Health Checks and Medical Tests

An ADHD assessment may also include a review of physical health.

Depending on your circumstances, your GP may check:

• Blood pressure and heart rate.
• Height and weight.
• Sleep quality and sleeping patterns.
• General medical history and current medications.

Blood tests may also be recommended where clinically indicated. For example, your GP may consider checking iron levels or thyroid function to investigate symptoms that could affect concentration, energy or mood.

These checks are important because some physical health conditions can cause difficulties that resemble aspects of ADHD. They also help establish whether certain treatment options would be appropriate.

5. Checking for Other Possible Causes

Not every difficulty with concentration or restlessness is caused by ADHD. Several other conditions and circumstances can produce similar symptoms.

Your GP may consider:

• Sleep problems or ongoing sleep deprivation.
• Iron deficiency or thyroid conditions.
• Hearing or vision difficulties.
• Anxiety and mood-related conditions.
• Learning difficulties.
• Other relevant medical or developmental factors.

This part of the assessment is not an unnecessary delay. Identifying other possible causes helps ensure that the recommended support addresses the actual difficulties rather than relying on an assumption.

6. Discussing the Findings and Next Steps

After gathering the relevant information, your GP will discuss what the assessment indicates and explain the available options.

If the findings suggest ADHD, the next step will depend on the GP's training and the applicable assessment and treatment pathway in New South Wales.

If the findings do not support an ADHD diagnosis, your GP can explain what else may be contributing to the symptoms and discuss appropriate support or further investigations.

In some cases, referral to a paediatrician or psychiatrist may be recommended for further assessment.

How Does ADHD Assessment Work in New South Wales?

The role of GPs in ADHD care in New South Wales has been changing through staged reforms.

Since September 2025, appropriately trained GPs have been able to continue medication originally prescribed by a psychiatrist for patients with an established ADHD diagnosis.

From March 2026, a selected group of GPs with additional specialised training became eligible to assess, diagnose and initiate medication for ADHD under the NSW arrangements.

However, not every GP has completed the required training. Where a GP is not authorised to provide these services, assessment and diagnosis may still require a paediatrician or psychiatrist.

Your GP can begin the assessment process by reviewing your history, considering screening information and investigating other possible causes, even when specialist involvement is required.

At Salamander Bay Doctors, 10 GPs offer ADHD assessment appointments. The specific services each doctor can provide depend on their individual training. It is worth contacting reception before booking to confirm which parts of the pathway are available.

Does an ADHD Assessment Differ for Children and Adults?

The overall assessment process is similar, but the information considered can vary depending on age.

ADHD Assessment for Children

For younger children, symptoms may become more noticeable when they start preschool or school and are expected to follow instructions, participate in group activities and manage classroom routines.

The assessment may consider:

• School or preschool reports.
• Feedback from parents and teachers.
• Speech, language and developmental history.
• Sleep patterns and hearing or vision concerns.
• Behaviour, attention and emotional regulation.

It is important to consider other developmental and environmental factors before reaching a conclusion.

ADHD Assessment for Teenagers

For teenagers, the assessment may explore difficulties with schoolwork, organisation, relationships, emotional regulation and managing increasing responsibilities.

Information from parents and teachers can help provide a broader understanding of symptoms across different settings.

ADHD Assessment for Adults

Adults may seek an assessment after experiencing ongoing difficulties with work, relationships, finances or everyday organisation.

Even when ADHD is first suspected in adulthood, evidence of symptoms during childhood remains an important part of the assessment. Previous school reports and