ADHD Assessments for Children and Teenagers
Has your child become more unsettled, frustrated or overwhelmed?
Are they finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate, follow instructions, manage schoolwork or complete everyday tasks?
Perhaps their teacher has noticed that they are distracted, forgetful, impulsive, disorganised or not achieving as expected. Or you may be seeing changes at home that are affecting your child’s confidence or the whole family.
Some children with ADHD are highly active and visibly impulsive. Others are quiet, dreamy, mentally absent, slow to begin tasks or easily overwhelmed. Their difficulties may be less obvious, but they can still have a significant effect on learning, emotional wellbeing and family life.
An ADHD assessment can help you understand what is happening for your child and provide a clear, practical plan for supporting them at home and at school.
Future Minds Psychology provides comprehensive ADHD assessments for children and teenagers from our clinic in Box Hill South, supporting families across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Our ADHD Assessments Provide
Understanding of the whole child
We consider development, attention, learning, executive functioning, emotional wellbeing and strengths.
Home and school perspectives
We gather information from parents and teachers to understand your child across different settings.
Clear feedback and detailed report
You receive an explanation of the findings, a written psychological report and practical recommendations.
Support beyond assessment
Our team can provide therapy, parent guidance and collaboration with your child’s school.
Understanding ADHD in Children and Teens
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a child’s ability to regulate attention, activity levels, impulses and executive functioning (the mental skills to begin tasks, organise themselves and regulate emotions).
ADHD can present in different ways:
- predominantly inattentive presentation
- predominantly hyperactive and impulsive presentation
- combined presentation
ADHD does not mean that a child is lazy, unmotivated or deliberately difficult. Many children with ADHD are trying very hard but need different strategies, supports and expectations to help them succeed.
What does inattentive ADHD look like?
Inattentive ADHD can be much less obvious than hyperactive or impulsive ADHD.
A child may not be disruptive or visibly restless. Instead, they may appear dreamy, forgetful, slow to begin tasks, mentally absent, easily distracted or unusually tired after school.
They may:
- lose track of instructions
- miss important details
- struggle to organise themselves
- forget routines, homework or belongings
- need repeated prompting
- take much longer than expected to complete work
- lose their place during reading or writing
- have difficulty holding information in mind
- become overwhelmed by multi-step tasks
- avoid work that feels mentally demanding
- appear unmotivated when they are actually unsure how to begin
- produce work that does not reflect their ability
Some children with inattentive ADHD appear to be coping because they are quiet, compliant or academically capable. They may work extremely hard to compensate for their difficulties, mask their struggles at school and then become exhausted or emotional at home.
This can mean their needs are overlooked for years.
Inattentive ADHD is sometimes identified later in girls because their difficulties may be quieter and less disruptive. Anxiety, perfectionism, low confidence, emotional exhaustion or declining academic performance may become noticeable before the underlying attention difficulties are recognised.
What does hyperactive or impulsive ADHD look like?
Children with hyperactive or impulsive ADHD may find it difficult to regulate their activity level, behaviour or responses.
They may:
- move or fidget frequently
- leave their seat when expected to remain seated
- talk excessively
- interrupt others
- call out answers
- struggle to wait
- act before considering consequences
- seek constant stimulation
- move rapidly between activities
- become frustrated quickly
- experience conflict with adults or peers
- find it difficult to slow down physically or mentally
Some children experience both inattentive and hyperactive or impulsive difficulties. Their presentation may also change as they grow older.
What can an ADHD assessment help you understand?
Assessment considers strengths and interests alongside barriers and support needs.
- whether your child meets diagnostic criteria for ADHD
- how attention and executive functioning affect learning and daily life
- why their needs may look different at home and school
- whether anxiety, autism, learning differences, sleep or other factors may also be relevant
- what adjustments and support may help your child participate and learn with greater confidence
The aim is not simply to provide a diagnosis. It is to develop a clearer understanding of your child and what may help.
What does this assessment involve?
Before you proceed, we provide a clear assessment plan, timeframe and fee outline.
Parent consultation
We discuss the reason for assessment, developmental and educational history, current difficulties, strengths and any previous assessments.
Questionnaires and school information
Parents and teachers usually complete standardisedquestionnaires about attention and executive functioning.
Assessment sessions
The assessment may include a structured ADHD interview,discussion with your child and cognitive or learning assessment where relevant.
Feedback and report
We explain the findings and provide a written psychological report with practical recommendations.
Our approach to ADHD assessments
We take a respectful, developmentally informed approach that considers your child across home, school and everyday life.
· evidence-based assessment
· attention to inattentive and less readily recognised presentations
· recognition of strengths alongside disability and support needs
· consideration of whether other mental health or developmental differences can explain your child’ sexperiences and presentation
· practical recommendations and school collaboration
Not sure if a ADHD assessment is required?
You don’t need to be certain before seeking support. We are here to help you understand your child’s strengths, challenges, and determine whether an assessment, a parent consultation, or therapy is the best place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Some children are not visibly hyperactive. They may appear dreamy, forgetful, disorganised or exhausted from trying to keep up.
Yes, where appropriate and with parent consent.
It may, depending on your child’s needs and any previous assessment.
Yes. A psychologist can assess and diagnose ADHD. A paediatrician or psychiatrist may also be involved where medication or medical factors need consideration.
A referral is not usually required for a private assessment.
.png)
