Adult ADHD assessments for high-masking and late-identified adultsCould it be ADHD?
For many adults, ADHD is not recognised until later in life, particularly in people who have spent years coping quietly, masking difficulties, or pushing through despite feeling constantly overwhelmed underneath it all.
You may appear capable and organised on the outside, while internally struggling with burnout, procrastination, racing thoughts, emotional overwhelm, difficulty switching off, or feeling like everyday life takes far more effort than it seems to for others.
ADHD can present differently across individuals and is often missed in adults with internalised or high-masking presentations.
An assessment is not about labelling or changing who you are. It is an opportunity to explore whether ADHD may help explain some of your experiences, patterns, and challenges within the context of your broader life story.
A supportive and collaborative processWhat to expect from the assessment process
ADHD assessments at Elara Psychology Clinic are designed to be comprehensive, collaborative, and tailored to the individual.
The process includes online questionnaires, a detailed clinical interview, exploration of current experiences and childhood history, and consideration of how attention, executive functioning, emotional regulation, sensory experiences, burnout, and daily functioning may interact across different areas of life.
Assessments are approached through a neuro-affirming and trauma-informed lens, recognising that many adults seeking assessment have spent years masking, adapting, or questioning themselves privately.
The aim is not to reduce you to a checklist, but to develop a deeper understanding of your experiences within the context of your broader life story.
The assessment process
What to Expect
Our ADHD assessments are thorough, evidence-based, and adapted for adult presentations, particularly high-masking adults.
Here’s what to expect:
Pre-assessment questionnaires
Once booked, you’ll complete questionnaires to help us understand your strengths, struggles, and history.Intake Interview (50 minutes)
Your ADHD Assessment begins with a comprehensive intake interview designed to explore your background, experiences and current challenges. During this session, we’ll talk about your history, strengths, daily routines and how ADHD traits may show up in different areas of your life - at work, home and in relationships.
Clinical interview (90 minutes)
Conducted in-person or via Telehealth.Feedback session (30 minutes)
Review the outcome of the assessment and discuss recommendations, supports, and next steps.Comprehensive report
A comprehensive report is provided within 4–6 weeks after your feedback session.
Whether you’re a high masking adult or someone exploring ADHD for the first time, this is a safe and validating space to make sense of your experiences and begin your journey toward clarity and confidence.
Available in person in Erina or via Telehealth across Australia.
At Elara Psychology Clinic, support doesn’t end with diagnosis. After your assessment, you can continue with ongoing therapy to help you understand your ADHD profile, build self compassion and create practical strategies for work, relationships and everyday life.
Recognising the presentations that are often overlookedAssessments designed for the adults who were missed
Many adults seeking assessment have spent years wondering why life often feels more overwhelming, exhausting, or difficult to manage than it appears to for others, despite trying hard to cope, stay organised, and keep pushing through.
At Elara Psychology Clinic, ADHD assessments are approached with the understanding that many adults have learnt to mask difficulties, overcompensate, or quietly adapt in ways that can make ADHD less obvious from the outside.
With over 15 years of experience as a psychologist working across mental health, occupational rehabilitation, trauma, chronic pain, and workplace injuries, alongside both professional and lived experience of neurodivergence, Kerry brings an understanding of the ways ADHD can present across different stages of life and in high-masking adults.
Assessments are designed to feel collaborative, supportive, and respectful of your individual experiences, recognising that ADHD presentations can look different across individuals, particularly in internalised or late-identified presentations.
Rather than relying on brief questionnaires alone, the process involves a detailed exploration of developmental history, lived experiences, current functioning, and broader life patterns using evidence-based tools, clinical interviewing, and a neuro-affirming, trauma-informed approach.
Areas we may explore:Burnout and overwhelm
Emotional regulation
Executive functioning strategies
Workplace or study accommodations
Sensory needs
Nervous system regulation
Self-understanding and identity
Post-diagnosis adjustment
Communication and relationships
Routine, structure, and energy management
Support beyond the assessment processAssessment is only one part of the process.
For many adults, an ADHD assessment can bring up a mix of emotions , including relief, validation, grief, confusion, or a need to reframe past experiences through a different lens.
Whether ADHD is identified or not, the feedback session is designed to help you better understand the outcome of the assessment and discuss recommendations, supports, strategies, and possible next steps that may be relevant to your individual circumstances.
Where appropriate, support may include therapy, workplace or study accommodations, psychoeducation, strategies for daily functioning, or referral pathways for ongoing care.
The focus is not simply on providing a diagnosis, but on supporting greater understanding and helping you make sense of your experiences in a practical and compassionate way
Pricing & Payment
Total cost: $1495, paid in three instalments:
$500 at booking (includes questionnaires + intake interview)
$500 at your diagnostic interview
$495 at your feedback session
No GP referral required
Flexible payment plan
In-person at Erina or Telehealth Australia-wide
FAQs
Do you assess ADHD in adults?
Yes. Kerry provides ADHD assessments for adults aged 18+ via Telehealth across Australia and in person at Erina on the Central Coast.
Do you assess ADHD in children & Teens?
Yes. Casie provides ADHD assessments for children aged 6+ via Telehealth across Australia on Wednesdays.
Can ADHD look different in women?
Absolutely. Many women and high-masking adults are overlooked because ADHD may present internally rather than externally. This can include chronic overwhelm, emotional exhaustion, masking difficulties, anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, people-pleasing, or difficulty keeping up despite appearing okay on the outside.
What if I did well at school?
Many adults with ADHD performed well academically, particularly when structure, intelligence, anxiety, perfectionism, or external pressure helped compensate for executive functioning difficulties. ADHD is not defined by intelligence or school grades alone.
What if I’m masking or have learnt to cope?
Masking and compensatory strategies are very common in adults with ADHD, particularly women and professionals. Assessments consider both external presentation and the internal effort required to manage day-to-day life.
Do you assess both ADHD and Autism?
Yes. Kerry offers ADHD assessments, Autism assessments, and combined ADHD + Autism assessments. Many adults identify with traits of both, and there can be significant overlap.
Is the assessment available via Telehealth?
Yes. ADHD assessments are available Australia-wide via secure Telehealth, as well as in person at Erina on the Central Coast NSW.
What if I’m nervous about the assessment?
Feeling anxious or unsure is very common, especially for adults who have spent years questioning themselves or worrying they won’t be understood. Kerry takes a warm, collaborative, and neuro-affirming approach and aims to create a supportive environment throughout the process.
What happens during an ADHD assessment?
The assessment process includes an intake interview, clinical diagnostic interview, evidence-based questionnaires, exploration of developmental history, current functioning, and the impact symptoms have across different areas of life. Kerry takes a collaborative and neuro-affirming approach focused on understanding your lived experience.
Can ADHD be diagnosed in adulthood?
Yes. Many adults are identified later in life, particularly after burnout, parenting, workplace difficulties, perimenopause, or after a child or partner receives a diagnosis.
Can you prescribe medication?
No. Kerry is a psychologist and does not prescribe medication. However, where appropriate, a comprehensive assessment report can be provided for your treating GP or psychiatrist.
Will I receive a report?
Yes. A comprehensive report is provided following the assessment process and feedback session.
Can you provide workplace or university support letters?
Where appropriate, support letters outlining recommendations for reasonable accommodations at work or university can be provided following assessment.
How much does an ADHD assessment cost?
You can view current assessment fees and payment options on the Fees page.
Can I use Medicare rebates for an ADHD assessment?
Currently, Medicare rebates generally do not apply to comprehensive ADHD assessments completed by psychologists. Therapy sessions under a Mental Health Treatment Plan are separate from assessment services.
What if I’m not diagnosed with ADHD?
Assessment is about understanding your experiences accurately, not trying to “pass” a test. Some people may meet criteria for ADHD, while others may find their experiences are better explained by anxiety, trauma, burnout, Autism, or other factors. The goal is clarity and understanding.
STILL UNSURE WHERE TO BEGIN?
You’re welcome to book a free 15 minute phone call or explore the pre-assessment screening option
Feel free to reach out - I’d be honoured to support you on this journey
Questions about fees
or how to get started?
Contact the clinic directly and Kerry will respond personally to discuss your situation and answer any questions about fees, funding, or which service may be appropriate for you.
