What is a Neuroaffirming 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 and Autism and, where relevant, consider how these profiles may intersect — taking into account developmental history, current experiences, and day-to-day functioning to support a clearer understanding of neurodivergence and individual support needs.

Understanding ADHD Through a Neuroaffirming Lens

At Treat Yourself Well, we approach ADHD within a neuroaffirming framework.

We understand ADHD as a valid variation in attention, energy, motivation, and executive functioning. While these differences can at times present challenges, they may also be closely connected to strengths, preferences, and ways of engaging with the world.

Our focus is on understanding these experiences in context and supporting ways of working with your neurotype, rather than against it.

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

What Is a Neuroaffirming ADHD Assessment?

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

Rather than relying solely on checklists, we take a whole-person perspective, 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 (including planning, organisation, and task initiation)

• Emotional regulation, motivation, and energy patterns

• Sensory experiences and responsiveness

• Strengths, creativity, and problem-solving styles

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

• The influence of different environments and expectations

This supports a deeper understanding of how ADHD may present in everyday life, not only within formal assessment measures.

Our Approach

For many people, the path 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.

Balanced understanding - We aim to consider both strengths and areas of difficulty, alongside the broader context in which they occur.

Contextual awareness - We consider how environments, expectations, and systems may shape attention, behaviour, and wellbeing.

Practical insight - The focus is not only on assessment outcomes, but on supporting understanding that may be useful in everyday life.

Our work is trauma-informed and relational, supporting you to develop 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 ADHD assessments for:

• Children and adolescents

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

• Individuals who may have been previously overlooked, including girls and women

• People experiencing ongoing challenges with focus, organisation, emotional regulation, or energy

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

An assessment process may support greater clarity and self-understanding for some individuals.

Components of an ADHD Assessment

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

A comprehensive ADHD assessment may include:

• Clinical diagnostic interview (DIVA-5 / Young DIVA)

• Standardised rating measures (CAARS-2 / Conners-4)

• Collaborative feedback session

• A detailed written report

Where appropriate and relevant to your goals, additional assessment components may be considered, such as:

• Consideration of features associated with Autism and/or other mental health conditions

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

• Academic achievement testing (WIAT-III)

• Adaptive functioning assessment (Vineland-3)

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

Where individuals are seeking a more integrated understanding of both ADHD and Autism (sometimes referred to as AuDHD), we can consider additional assessment components as clinically appropriate.

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 discussed together before proceeding

• 2–3 assessment appointments, depending on scope

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

• Standardised tools used within a neuroaffirming framework

• Consideration of experiences across environments and relationships

• Input from parents, caregivers, or partners where appropriate

We take care to ensure the process feels contained and supportive, with space for reflection and questions throughout.

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 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.