Neuroaffirming AuDHD (Autism & ADHD Assessment

If you are considering an ADHD, Autism, or combined (AuDHD) assessment in Sydney, it is important that the process feels respectful, attuned, and aligned with how you understand yourself.

At Treat Yourself Well, we offer neuroaffirming assessments for children, adolescents, and adults in Balmain and across Sydney’s Inner West. Our work is grounded in curiosity and care — focusing on understanding how your mind works, rather than viewing neurodivergence as something that needs to be fixed.

We recognise that ADHD and Autism can co-occur and may involve overlapping experiences, including differences in attention, sensory processing, communication, and emotional regulation. At the same time, these patterns are highly individual and may shift across environments and stages of life.

Our assessments are designed to thoughtfully explore ADHD, Autism, or a combined AuDHD profile, taking into account developmental history, current experiences, and day-to-day functioning to support a clearer understanding of neurodivergence and individual support needs.

Understanding AuDHD Through a Neuroaffirming Lens

We approach both Autism and ADHD within a trauma informed & neuroaffirming framework.

We understand these as natural variations in neurodevelopment — influencing how people think, focus, communicate, regulate energy, and experience the world. While these differences can at times present challenges, they are also often closely connected to strengths, identity, and ways of engaging with life.

For individuals with AuDHD, experiences may feel:

• Overlapping or interconnected

• At times complementary

• At other times internally conflicting (e.g., needing novelty and structure simultaneously)

Our focus is on understanding these patterns in context, including how environments, expectations, and life experiences shape them — and supporting ways of working with your neurotype, rather than against it.

Whether you are exploring this for yourself or your child, we aim to create a space that feels safe, collaborative, and respectful, where your experiences are taken seriously and understood within the broader context of your life.

What Is a Neuroaffirming AuDHD Assessment?

A neuroaffirming AuDHD assessment is a comprehensive, collaborative process that explores how a person engages with the world — including how they think, focus, organise, communicate, regulate emotions, and make sense of their experiences.

Rather than relying solely on checklists, we take a whole-person, contextual approach, aiming to understand patterns in a way that is meaningful and grounded in lived experience.

Our assessments may consider:

• Attention patterns and focus styles

• Executive functioning (planning, organisation, task initiation, follow-through)

• Communication styles and social interaction patterns

• Sensory processing, sensitivities, and preferences

• Emotional regulation, motivation, and energy patterns

• Patterns of thinking, learning, and problem-solving

• Strengths, creativity, and areas of deep interest

• Experiences across school, work, relationships, and daily life

• The influence of different environments and expectations

• The interaction between autistic and ADHD traits (e.g., masking, compensation, internal tension)

This supports a deeper understanding of how neurodivergence presents in everyday life, not only within formal assessment tools.

Our Approach

For many people, the pathway to assessment can follow years of feeling misunderstood, overlooked, or unsure how to explain their experiences.

Our approach is grounded in:

Validation We recognise that your experiences are real, meaningful, and worthy of understanding.

Integrated understanding We consider Autism and ADHD together when relevant, exploring how these patterns interact.

Balanced understanding We reflect both strengths and areas of difficulty within context.

Contextual awareness We consider how environments, expectations, and systems shape functioning and wellbeing.

Practical insight We focus not only on assessment outcomes, but on developing understanding that is useful in everyday life.

Our work is trauma-informed and relational, supporting insight into patterns of thinking, feeling, and functioning, alongside practical considerations for home, school, work, and relationships.

Who This Assessment Is For

We provide neuroaffirming AuDHD assessments for:

• Children and adolescents

• Adults seeking clarity, including those exploring neurodivergence later in life

• Individuals who may have been previously overlooked or misidentified

• Girls, women, and gender-diverse people

• People experiencing differences in attention, sensory processing, communication, or emotional regulation

• Individuals noticing overlapping, conflicting, or hard-to-explain patterns consistent with AuDHD

Many adults seek assessment after years of navigating a sense of being “different” or working hard to meet expectations without fully understanding why.

An assessment process can support greater clarity, self-understanding, and self-acceptance.

Components of an AuDHD Assessment

For clients new to the practice, we begin with an initial consultation to explore your concerns, experiences, and goals. This session is charged at the clinician’s usual hourly rate.

A comprehensive AuDHD assessment may include:

• Clinical diagnostic interview

  • (e.g., MIGDAS-2 for Autism; DIVA-5 / Young DIVA for ADHD)

• Standardised assessment tools

  • (e.g., SRS-2, CAARS-2, Conners-4)

• Developmental, educational, and personal history

• Input from parents, caregivers, or partners where appropriate

• A collaborative feedback session

• A detailed written report

Where appropriate and aligned with your goals, additional components may include:

• Cognitive assessment (WISC-V or WAIS-V)

• Academic achievement testing (WIAT-III)

• Adaptive functioning assessment (Vineland-3)

• Consideration of co-occurring mental health factors

Each assessment is individualised, ensuring the process aligns with your needs and the questions you are hoping to explore.

What to Expect

Our assessment process is thoughtful, paced, and collaborative.

It may include:

• An initial consultation to explore your experiences and clarify goals

• A personalised assessment plan developed together

• 2–3 assessment appointments, depending on scope

• A comprehensive exploration of developmental, educational, and personal history

• Standardised tools used within a neuroaffirming framework

• Exploration of lived experience across different environments

• Opportunities for reflection, questions, and clarification throughout

We take care to ensure the process feels contained, respectful, and supportive.

After the Assessment

Following your assessment, you will receive a comprehensive report and personalised feedback.

This may include:

• A clear and respectful explanation of findings

• An integrated understanding of ADHD, Autism, or AuDHD (where relevant)

• Insights into strengths, differences, and support needs

• Practical considerations for school, work, and daily life

• Guidance around possible next steps, where helpful

Many people find this process supports a deeper, more compassionate understanding of themselves or their child.

A Safe and Inclusive Space

At Treat Yourself Well, we are committed to providing inclusive, neuroaffirming, and relational care across the lifespan.

Our clinicians bring warmth, experience, and thoughtful curiosity to this work — approaching neurodivergence with respect, nuance, and care.

We understand that seeking an assessment can feel like a significant step — and at times, a vulnerable one.

You do not have to navigate this alone.

Starting the Conversation

If you are considering an ADHD, Autism, or AuDHD assessment for yourself or your child, we invite you to get in touch.

Starting with a conversation can help you feel more informed, grounded, and supported in deciding what feels right for you.

Assessments are conducted in line with current professional and regulatory guidelines. Outcomes and recommendations vary depending on individual circumstances.