Does My Child Need an ADHD or Autism Assessment?
- Shane Dilanchian
- Jul 3
- 5 min read
As a parent, it’s normal to wonder if your child/teen’s behaviour is just part of their personality or if something more might be going on. Maybe they struggle to sit still, listen, follow instructions, get along with other kids or struggle at school despite being bright. Maybe they do things in a way that feels different from their peers, and you're starting to wonder if they need some extra support.
In this blog, we explore common signs that may help you decide whether an ADHD or autism assessment could be the right next step, and how a psychological assessment can support your child’s wellbeing, learning, and confidence.
A Story: How an ADHD Assessment Helped Annie
Annie was in Year 3 when her parents came to see us. She was creative, curious, and full of ideas but school had started to become a daily battle. Her teacher often described her as “distracted” and “off with the fairies.” She found it hard to finish tasks and would sometimes act out when things felt too difficult. Her grades had started to slip. At home, her parents noticed she was avoiding homework altogether, and her confidence was slowly fading.
Annie's parents weren’t sure if what they were seeing was just part of her personality or if there was something more behind her struggles.
After a detailed assessment, we found that Annie had ADHD, more specifically, the inattentive type. This explained why she found it hard to stay focused and often tuned out during long tasks, even though she was bright and capable.
Importantly, her parents didn’t want to go down the path of medication straight away, and that was ok. Through the assessment process, we worked together to build practical strategies for both home and school:
Sitting her near the front of the class where distractions were fewer.
Using short, clear instructions and visual reminders.
Starting homework with a brief checklist or visual schedule of what needs to be done.
Giving her regular movement breaks at home during homework.
Do homework at the same time and place each day.
Praising her for staying focused, even for short periods.
Breaking tasks into small, manageable steps.
Over time, Annie started to feel more in control. She was still the same child, but now the adults around her better understood how to support her, and that made a noticeable difference. School became less overwhelming, her confidence began to rebuild, and she was able to engage more consistently with her learning.
What is an assessment, and why might my child need one?
An assessment helps us understand how your child’s brain works. Every child is different, some kids need more movement, more structure, or more time to learn in their own way. If your child is struggling at school, at home, or in social settings, an assessment can help identify what’s going on and how best to support them.
The goal isn't to put a label on your child. It's to better understand their strengths, their challenges, and the kind of support that will help them feel confident, capable, and understood.
Quick Checklist for Parents: Should I get my child assessed?
If you’ve answered 'yes' to several items from the list below, whether in one area or across different categories, it might be a good idea to speak with a psychologist.
Focus and Attention
Gets distracted easily
Finds it hard to finish tasks (especially boring ones)
Forgets things or loses items often
Has trouble listening or following instructions
Daydreams often
Energy and Impulses
Always on the move, fidgeting or wriggling
Talks a lot or interrupts others
Acts without thinking about the consequences
Struggles with waiting their turn
Social Communication
Has trouble making or keeping friends
Doesn’t always pick up on tone of voice or facial expressions
Tends to play alone or talk mostly about one favourite topic
Finds it hard to join in or stay on topic in conversations
Sensory Sensitivities
Strong reactions to sound, light, touch or smells
Gets upset when routines change
Repeats behaviours or sticks to the same interests
Seeks out physical sensations like spinning or squeezing
Feelings and Emotions
Big emotions that seem hard to manage
Meltdowns over small changes or frustrations
Finds transitions between activities very challenging
Other Clues
Speech or motor delays in early development
Intense focus on particular interests
Family history of ADHD, autism, or learning differences
If a few or more of these sound like your child, it might be time to consider an assessment. You don’t have to be certain before reaching out, that’s what the assessment helps clarify. You can also speak to your GP or school counsellor to raise your concerns and get their opinion.
What Happens in an Assessment?
At Skyline Psychology, we start with an initial consultation. This is a clinical interview with a psychologist to understand your concerns and get a picture of your child’s development and everyday life.
After initial consultation, the psychologist will spend one-on-one time with your child. It involves going through some activities, games, tasks and questionnaires (depending on the assessment type). In addition, an assessment process involves:
Completion of standardised questionnaires for parents and teachers.
Collating and analysing data through psychometric testing using standardised tests.
Preparing a report of the results.
Providing a feedback session alongside the report with meaningful and practical recommendations.
We take the time to explain the results clearly and provide recommendations on which tools and skills could benefit your child in various settings, like at home and school.
You don’t need to have all the answers
An assessment can be the start of a better understanding, less stress, and more support for your child.
Want to speak to us about your child or know more about our assessment process?
Check out our Assessments page:
We also work closely with families, schools, and other health professionals to support your child across different parts of their life.
Note: The story shared in this blog post has been adapted from real life examples we commonly see in our practice. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy. Any resemblance to actual individuals is purely coincidental.
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