ADHD is one of the most common and most misunderstood neurodevelopmental conditions in Australia. Often dismissed as laziness, disorganisation, or poor self-control, ADHD involves real and measurable differences in how the brain regulates attention, impulse control, and executive function.
At The Talk Shop, our Melbourne psychologists provide comprehensive ADHD assessments and evidence-based psychological support for children, adolescents, and adults — across four clinic locations and via Telehealth.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING FOR THERAPY SESSIONS.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, or both, that interfere with daily functioning across multiple settings. It is not caused by poor parenting, lack of effort, or low intelligence.
The DSM-5 recognises three presentations of ADHD:
ADHD is not simply a childhood condition. An estimated 2–3% of Australian adults live with ADHD, many undiagnosed until well into adulthood. With the right support, people with ADHD can manage their challenges effectively and leverage the genuine strengths that often come with the ADHD brain — including creativity, hyperfocus, and problem-solving ability.
ADHD presents differently depending on the person and presentation type. Common signs in adults and adolescents include:
Inattentive symptoms:
Hyperactive and impulsive symptoms:
Executive function difficulties:
Many adults with ADHD have developed “masking” strategies that hide their difficulties from the outside world — while internally experiencing significant exhaustion and self-doubt.
ADHD affects approximately 6–7% of children and 2–3% of adults in Australia — though the true figure is likely higher due to significant underdiagnosis.
AADPA Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for ADHD, 2022
Women and girls are particularly underdiagnosed. The hyperactive presentation — which is more visible — is more common in boys, while the inattentive presentation (more common in girls) is frequently overlooked or attributed to anxiety or personality traits. Many women receive their first ADHD diagnosis in their 30s, 40s, or later.
Undiagnosed ADHD carries significant costs: higher rates of anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, academic underachievement, and career instability. A diagnosis — at any age — can be a turning point, providing a framework for understanding lifelong experiences and opening the door to effective support.
Many adults seeking an ADHD assessment at The Talk Shop have spent decades wondering why they struggle with things others seem to find easy — staying organised, finishing projects, managing time, regulating emotions.
A late ADHD diagnosis can be both validating and transformative. It reframes a lifetime of self-criticism as the result of a brain that works differently — not a character flaw. Adults diagnosed later in life commonly report:
It is never too late to understand how your brain works — and to get support that actually fits.
Our psychologists offer both formal ADHD assessment and ongoing psychological support. These are distinct services:
Once you have a diagnosis, ongoing support is provided by our ADHD psychologists.
A thorough, multi-session clinical assessment involving structured interviews, validated rating scales, cognitive testing, and collateral information (where appropriate). Provides a diagnosis where the criteria are met, and detailed recommendations for treatment, workplace or educational adjustments, and support strategies.
CBT adapted for ADHD addresses the specific challenges of executive dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, and low self-esteem. Strong evidence base for reducing ADHD symptoms and improving daily functioning in adults (Knouse & Safren, 2010).
Practical, structured support for time management, organisation, planning, and emotional regulation. Tailored to your specific ADHD profile and the real-world demands of your life.
ADHD rarely travels alone. Anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem are common in people with ADHD — often as a result of years of undiagnosed struggle. Our psychologists are equipped to address these alongside ADHD.
If you are unsure whether you need a formal assessment or ongoing support — or both — your first appointment will help clarify the right path forward.
Who it’s for: children, teenagers and adults. The ages each psychologist sees vary, so call us and we’ll match you with the right person. Appointments are often available the same week.
1. Initial session. You meet your psychologist to talk through your concerns, history and goals. They explain which parts of the assessment suit you, and which can be done by telehealth.
2. The assessment. Your psychologist uses a clinical interview and validated questionnaires chosen for your age and situation, and considers other explanations such as anxiety, depression, trauma or autism. With your consent, a parent, partner or teacher may be asked to complete a questionnaire too. Cognitive testing is added where it’s needed.
3. Feedback session. Your psychologist explains the results, whether a diagnosis applies, and what they recommend next. You also receive a written report.
What it costs. Fees depend on the assessment your psychologist recommends, and we quote before any work begins. Call us on 1300 224 665 to talk through the options. A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan covers therapy sessions, not the assessment. For people under 25 referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist, limited Medicare assessment items may apply, so ask us to check. Ask for an itemised invoice: some private health funds reimburse part of the cost under extras cover.
After your assessment. Psychologists can’t prescribe ADHD medication. In Victoria, medication is currently started by a psychiatrist or paediatrician, so if you’d like to explore it, take your report to your GP, who can refer you. If you’d like help with strategies, our ADHD psychologists can support you.
Who does ADHD assessments. Assessments are done by members of our assessment team. Each works with different ages and types of assessment, so call us on 1300 224 665 and we’ll match you with the right psychologist.
We offer appointments in-clinic at our Mooroolbark, Wheelers Hill, Reservoir, and Melbourne CBD locations, as well as Telehealth sessions from anywhere in Australia.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING FOR THERAPY SESSIONS.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Can adults be diagnosed with ADHD?
Yes. ADHD is a lifelong condition that persists into adulthood for the majority of those diagnosed in childhood, and many adults receive their first diagnosis in their 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond. An adult ADHD diagnosis is valid and meaningful at any age.
Can a psychologist diagnose ADHD?
Yes. In Australia, ADHD can be diagnosed by a psychologist, paediatrician or psychiatrist. Your psychologist’s written report sets out the findings and recommendations, and you can share it with your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician.
What does an ADHD assessment involve?
A clinical interview about your current symptoms, developmental history and how they affect daily life; validated rating scales; information from someone who knows you well, where appropriate; and cognitive testing where it’s needed. Your psychologist also considers other explanations, such as anxiety, depression, trauma or autism. It usually involves an initial session, the assessment itself and a feedback session, and ends with a written report. Your psychologist will give you a timeline at the first appointment.
Do I need a GP referral for an ADHD assessment?
No. You can book directly with The Talk Shop. You only need a referral to claim Medicare: a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan for therapy sessions or, for people under 25, a referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist for limited Medicare assessment items.
Who prescribes ADHD medication?
Psychologists can’t prescribe. In Victoria, ADHD medication is currently started by a psychiatrist or paediatrician, and your GP may be able to continue prescribing once you’re stable. Victoria is also training a first group of GPs to diagnose ADHD and start medication. Your psychologist can provide a report to support a medication assessment if you choose to pursue one.
Is an ADHD assessment covered by Medicare?
A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan covers therapy sessions, not the ADHD assessment itself. For people under 25 referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist for a suspected complex neurodevelopmental condition, limited Medicare assessment items may apply, so ask us to check. Otherwise, ask for an itemised invoice: some private health funds reimburse part of the cost under extras cover.
What’s the difference between an assessment and therapy?
An assessment answers “Do I have ADHD?”. Therapy answers “Now that I know, how do I manage it?”. Some people are assessed first and then start therapy; others start therapy and have an assessment later. If you already have a diagnosis, you can go straight to support with one of our ADHD psychologists.
I’ve been managing on my own for years. Is it too late to get help?
It is never too late. Many adults seek assessment and support decades after ADHD first affected them, and find that understanding how their brain works, and having the right strategies, makes a real difference to their quality of life.
Whether you are seeking a formal assessment or practical support, our team is here to help — in a way that fits your life and budget.
Australian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA). (2022). Australian evidence-based clinical practice guideline for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). AADPA. https://adhdguideline.aadpa.com.au/
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). APA Publishing.
Barkley, R. A. (2015). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (4th ed.). Guilford Press.
Knouse, L. E., & Safren, S. A. (2010). Current status of cognitive behavioral therapy for adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 33(3), 497–509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2010.04.001
Young, S., Adamo, N., Asgeirsdottir, B. B., Branney, P., Beckett, M., Colley, W., … & Woodhouse, E. (2020). Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in females of all ages. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), 404.
